Revolutionizing Response to Emerging Third-Party Cybersecurity Threats

3 minute read

August 2024

by Julia Winer

Introducing ProcessUnity’s New Threat and Vulnerability Response Platform to Quickly Identify Emerging Threats and Assess the Third Parties Most Likely to be at Risk

Staying ahead of emerging threats is critical for organizations managing vast third-party ecosystems. With cyber threats escalating and the number of vulnerabilities surging, Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) teams need a better way to identify, assess, and mitigate risks quickly and efficiently. Enter ProcessUnity’s latest innovation—Threat and Vulnerability Response—a game-changing platform that addresses one of the most pressing challenges in TPRM: the constant need to monitor and respond to emerging cybersecurity threats.  

A Growing Need for Rapid Response 

We read the news and see reports like the recent CrowdStrike incident or the Log4j vulnerability. Threats that cause major disruptions have increased significantly over recent years. In fact, according to a recent study by Qualys, over 26,000 vulnerabilities were identified in 2023 alone, with 570 categorized as high-risk.  

The escalation of disruptions and threats, combined with often under-resourced TPRM teams, puts increasing pressure on organizations to get out in front of an emerging threat. The growing complexity of third- and Nth-party ecosystems further complicates the situation as organizations attempt to identify the third parties that require immediate attention. There’s got to be a better way. And now there is. 

A Four-Step Approach to Managing Emerging Threats 

ProcessUnity’s Threat and Vulnerability Response platform meets this challenge with a four-step automated approach that simplifies and accelerates the entire process—from identifying threats to reporting to key stakeholders.  

Here’s how it works: 

  1. Identify: The ProcessUnity Threat Research Team vigilantly monitors sources like CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) and NIST’s National Vulnerability Database (NVD) to detect new threats. When an emerging threat relevant to an organization’s ecosystem is identified, the platform issues an immediate alert with all the necessary details to understand the threat’s nature and severity. 
  2. Prioritize: Using inherent risk assessments, Automated Risk Profiles, and comprehensive demographic and technographic data filtered by ProcessUnity’s Threat Research Team, an optimized list of the most susceptible third parties is created, enabling TPRM teams to focus their efforts where they matter most. 
  3. Assess: Once the key third parties are identified, the platform deploys impact assessments tailored to the specific threat. This automated workflow initiates the assessment process, scores the results, and ensures that any necessary remediation steps are followed. 
  4. Report: With just one click, TPRM teams can generate summary reports that keep stakeholders, including senior leadership, informed of the organization’s status during a crisis. These reports communicate the status of assessments and demonstrate the effectiveness of the TPRM program, offering peace of mind during critical situations. 

A Game-Changing Solution for TPRM Teams 

ProcessUnity’s Threat and Vulnerability Response is more than just a tool; it’s a strategic ally in the battle against cyber threats. By enabling TPRM teams to respond to emerging threats in a matter of hours instead of weeks, the platform ensures that organizations remain resilient in the face of ever-evolving risks. 

As Gary Phipps, VP of Strategy for ProcessUnity, explains, “During a crisis, time is not your friend. The current processes are cumbersome and slow, taking weeks or even months to complete. Our Threat and Vulnerability Response platform allows TPRM teams to get ahead of threats within hours of detection, offering a much-needed solution in today’s cybersecurity landscape.” 

Learn More 

To dive deeper into best practices for threat and vulnerability response, including insights on conducting emergency assessments, check out our recent webcast: Third-Party Risk: Conducting Emergency Assessments After the CrowdStrike Incident. 

For more information about ProcessUnity or to request a demo of the Threat and Vulnerability Response platform, please visit: https://www.processunity.com/threat-vulnerability-response/   

Scott West, VP of Product Marketing 

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About Us

ProcessUnity is a leading provider of cloud-based applications for risk and compliance management. The company’s software as a service (SaaS) platform gives organizations the control to assess, measure, and mitigate risk and to ensure the optimal performance of key business processes. ProcessUnity’s flagship solution, ProcessUnity Vendor Risk Management, protects companies and their brands by reducing risks from third-party vendors and suppliers. ProcessUnity helps customers effectively and efficiently assess and monitor both new and existing vendors – from initial due diligence and onboarding through termination. Headquartered outside of Boston, Massachusetts, ProcessUnity is used by the world’s leading financial service firms and commercial enterprises. For more information, visit www.processunity.com.