Vendor Enablement: Rethinking Third-Party Risk

This document advocates a "vendor enablement" approach to third-party risk management, encouraging organizations to treat vendors as partners and help them improve security through concrete recommendations, shared expertise, and mutually beneficial arrangements (discounts, co-funding, or support). It argues this is often faster and more cost-effective than replacing vendors, promotes alignment with organizational needs, and preserves business relationships while reducing vendor-related risk.