Description
Overview
This training program is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with third-party cloud vendors. Participants will learn best practices for vendor risk management (VRM) in cloud environments, ensuring compliance, security, and operational resilience.
Duration:
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2-Day Intensive Workshop (or customizable to 1-5 days based on depth)
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Format: Virtual/In-Person (Instructor-Led + Case Studies + Group Exercises)
Key Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
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Understand the unique risks associated with cloud vendors (e.g., data breaches, compliance gaps, service disruptions).
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Evaluate cloud service providers (CSPs) using risk assessment frameworks (e.g., CSA STAR, ISO 27001, NIST CSF).
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Implement effective vendor due diligence and continuous monitoring processes.
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Mitigate risks through contract negotiation, SLAs, and contingency planning.
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Ensure compliance with regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, FedRAMP) when engaging cloud vendors.
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Develop a structured Vendor Risk Management (VRM) program for cloud services.
Program Content
Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Vendor Risks
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Cloud adoption trends and associated risks
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Types of cloud vendors (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and their risk profiles
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Shared Responsibility Model in cloud security
Module 2: Vendor Risk Assessment & Due Diligence
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Key risk indicators (KRIs) for cloud vendors
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Security questionnaires & assessment frameworks (CSA STAR, SIG, SOC 2)
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Third-party audit reports (e.g., ISO 27001, FedRAMP)
Module 3: Contract & SLA Risk Management
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Critical clauses in cloud contracts (data ownership, breach notification, exit strategies)
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Negotiating SLAs for uptime, performance, and security
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Right-to-audit clauses and liability limitations
Module 4: Compliance & Regulatory Risks
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Global regulations impacting cloud vendors (GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA)
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Cross-border data transfer risks (Schrems II, EU-US DPF)
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Industry-specific compliance (financial services, healthcare, government)
Module 5: Continuous Monitoring & Incident Response
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Tools for real-time vendor risk monitoring
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Handling breaches and vendor-related incidents
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Exit strategies and contingency planning
Module 6: Building a Cloud VRM Program
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Roles & responsibilities (Risk, Legal, IT, Procurement)
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Integrating VRM into broader cloud governance
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Case studies & lessons learned from high-profile vendor failures
Learning Outcomes
After completing this training, participants will:
✔ Identify critical risks in cloud vendor relationships.
✔ Conduct thorough due diligence on cloud providers.
✔ Negotiate stronger contracts and SLAs to protect organizational interests.
✔ Monitor vendor performance and compliance continuously.
✔ Respond effectively to vendor-related security incidents.
✔ Develop a structured VRM strategy for cloud environments.
Key Takeaways
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Checklists & Templates: Vendor risk assessment questionnaires, contract review checklists.
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Frameworks & Tools: NIST, CSA STAR, SIG Lite, risk scoring models.
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Actionable Strategies: Steps to implement VRM in cloud procurement.
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Networking: Peer discussions and expert insights on real-world challenges.
Who Should Attend?
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Risk & Compliance Managers
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Cloud Security & IT Professionals
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Procurement & Vendor Management Teams
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Legal & Data Privacy Officers
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CISOs & IT Governance Leaders
Delivery Options
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In-Person Workshop (Interactive sessions + group exercises)
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Virtual Training (Live instructor-led + breakout rooms)
Certification (Optional)
Participants can earn a “Certified Cloud Vendor Risk Manager” badge upon passing a post-training assessment.
Next Steps
Interested in this program? Contact us for:
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Customized in-house training
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Scheduled public workshops
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Detailed agenda and pricing