Lines of communication across the organization are established for cybersecurity risks, including risks from suppliers and other third parties
Cybersecurity risks do not respect organizational boundaries. A vulnerability in a supplier's system, a misconfigured SaaS integration, or a compromised contractor account can all become your problem. Without clear communication channels for surfacing and escalating these risks, critical information gets siloed in individual teams and never reaches the people who can act on it. Establishing defined pathways ensures that risk information flows up, down, and across the organization in a timely way.
Implementation steps
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Define communication channels for different types of cybersecurity risk
Map out how cybersecurity risks should be communicated based on their source and severity. Tactical operational risks may go to the security team via a ticketing system. Strategic or critical risks should have a direct path to executive leadership. Third-party risks may be routed through vendor management or procurement.
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Establish a risk escalation path and define escalation triggers
Document clear criteria for when a risk must be escalated and to whom. For example: any confirmed breach involving customer data goes to the CEO and legal within one hour; any critical supplier vulnerability goes to the CISO within 24 hours. Publish this escalation matrix in your incident and risk management processes.
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Include third-party risk communication in supplier agreements
Ensure contracts with critical suppliers include requirements for them to notify you of security incidents, vulnerabilities, or material changes to their security posture within a defined timeframe. Track whether suppliers are meeting these notification obligations.
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Evidence required
Risk communication and escalation framework
A documented description of how cybersecurity risks are communicated across the organization, including escalation triggers, paths, and responsible parties.
- · Risk escalation matrix in the incident response policy
- · Org chart annotated with risk communication responsibilities
- · Communication plan in the risk management policy covering internal and third-party risks
Third-party risk notification requirements
Evidence that supplier or partner agreements include cybersecurity risk communication obligations.
- · Vendor contract clause requiring security incident notification within 24-72 hours
- · Supplier security requirements document referencing notification timelines
- · Third-party risk management policy specifying communication expectations
Related controls
Risk management objectives are established and agreed to by organizational stakeholders
Risk Management Strategy
Risk appetite and risk tolerance statements are established, communicated, and maintained
Risk Management Strategy
Cybersecurity risk management activities and outcomes are included in enterprise risk management processes
Risk Management Strategy
Strategic direction that describes appropriate risk response options is established and communicated
Risk Management Strategy