If you’re still relying on once-a-year questionnaires or static audits to manage third-party cyber risk, you’re already behind the curve.

In 2025, the cyber threat landscape is live, dynamic, and increasingly supply-chain driven β€” and so your risk management needs to match it.

Frameworks like DORA, NIS2, and ISO 27036 no longer view third-party risk monitoring as a best practice β€” they expect it. And insurers are right behind them.

πŸ“‰ Traditional assessments offer point-in-time peace of mind.
πŸ“ˆ Real-time monitoring provides operational resilience.

This shift isn’t cosmetic β€” it’s structural. And it affects your bottom line.


πŸ“‰ The Problem with Static Assessments

πŸ•’ They age quickly – A March audit won’t detect a breach in May
🧾 They rely on self-reporting – Often optimistic, sometimes misleading
πŸ“¦ They overlook tiered exposure – Many don’t know their Tier 2/3 vendors
πŸ“‰ They produce stale evidence – Reporting lag creates blind spots
🚫 They don’t stop attacks – Most breaches happen between audit cycles

β€œStatic assessments are like judging a ship’s seaworthiness from a photo β€” before it hits the storm.”


πŸ“ˆ Why Real-Time Monitoring Works

βœ… Live visibility – Continuously track vulnerabilities and exposed assets
βœ… Ongoing posture trends – Spot who’s improving, declining, or drifting
βœ… Instant alerts – Be notified when something material changes
βœ… Supply chain intelligence – Understand your vendors’ vendors
βœ… Cross-stakeholder value – Support IT, risk, legal, insurance, and board reporting

This isn’t just about better tooling β€” it’s about a smarter way to manage cyber risk.


πŸ”„ The Real Shift: From IT Audit to Strategic Oversight

Here’s how the new model redefines TPRM:

Legacy Model Modern Model
Annual spreadsheets Continuous scans and posture tracking
Self-attested controls Verified, externally observed behaviour
One-size-fits-all reviews Tiered, risk-prioritised vendor oversight
Manual audits Automated dashboards and real-time alerts
Security silo Business-wide visibility across GRC, IT, and finance
Compliance-centric Resilience-focused, insurance-ready reporting
Audit report Board-level KPI for operational risk

In short: real-time monitoring turns TPRM into a strategic control, not a paperwork obligation.


πŸ” Regulatory Expectations Have Shifted

πŸ“œ NIS2: Requires ongoing supply chain oversight for essential and digital service providers
πŸ“œ DORA: Mandates real-time monitoring of ICT third parties for financial institutions
πŸ“œ ISO 27036: Recommends continuous third-party risk evaluation
πŸ“œ Cyber Essentials Plus: Rewards real-time scanning and incident response maturity

These frameworks demand evidence of live visibility, not just historic assessment.


πŸ’· The Insurer Angle: Save Money by Reducing Uncertainty

Cyber insurers are also moving toward real-time underwriting. They now expect:

  • Live visibility into supplier exposure

  • Time-stamped posture trends

  • Proof of breach detection capability

  • Tiered supplier classification

  • Remediation response tracking

Lower uncertainty = fewer exclusions, lower premiums, and better claims terms.

With the right visibility, you’re not just more secure β€” you’re more insurable.


πŸ’‘ How Cyber Tzar Powers Real-Time Third-Party Risk Monitoring

Cyber Tzar gives you the visibility, context, and intelligence you need:

🟒 Continuous external scanning of supplier infrastructure
🟒 Live risk scoring, tailored to access and exposure
🟒 Tiered supply chain mapping – including hidden dependencies
🟒 Time-series analysis – spot improvements or regressions over time
🟒 Framework-aligned reports – ready for DORA, ISO 27036, NIS2, Cyber Essentials

We turn third-party risk into a data-driven, defensible business function.


πŸ“‘ Want to monitor your supply chain risk in real time β€” not just in hindsight?
Start with a live scan at cybertzar.com

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