What is Vendor Risk Management Software?
Vendor risk management software is a specialized digital solution that helps organizations oversee and control risks tied to third-party vendors. With its comprehensive features set, companies can conduct due diligence, continuously monitor activities, review compliance progress, and provide targeted training to mitigate potential threats throughout the vendor lifecycle.
Importance
While working with third-party product and service providers eradicates resource constraints due to their specialized expertise, numerous problems may arise with managing vendors. Inconsistent service quality, missed deadlines, and poor communication can disrupt operations. Utilizing a specialized solution that targets vendor risks is incredibly useful, providing the companies with the following:
Streamlined key processes – Manual onboarding, due diligence, and monitoring can be tedious and resource-intensive. All these tasks are made easier with highly-rated software for vendor risk management.
Centralized vendor information – Creating a single source of truth provides contract management, procurement, and compliance teams with better visibility and control over the operations.
Improved decision-making – Inaccurate information results in faulty determinations and, very possibly, expensive legal issues. Robust data analytics help relevant managers make informed choices regarding vendor relationships.
Proactive risk mitigation – Digitizing documents and automating key tasks helps identify vulnerabilities, assess vendor risks, and implement appropriate controls.
Enhanced compliance – With better decision-making, proactive risk mitigation, and a centralized repository of vital documents, companies and their partners can better adhere to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Key Features
Comprehensive third-party risk management solutions have numerous capabilities that can help oversee the activities of suppliers, service providers, and external advisors. The same can be said for stand-alone VRM software. Here are some key features to look for:
Customizable risk assessment templates
Due diligence and contract management
Collaboration tools
Incident management
Performance monitoring
Report generation with audit trail capabilities
Compliance tracking
Robust analytics
Integration capabilities
Mobile accessibility with offline capabilities
How to Choose the Right Vendor Risk Management Software
Selecting the right vendor risk management software is essential for organizations to safeguard their operations and reputation. The solutions detailed in the list can effectively identify, assess, and mitigate risks posed by third-party vendors. Before making your final choice, take another look at the top-tier options in the table provided:
Vendor Risk Management Software | Free Version | Paid Plan | Mobile App |
SafetyCulture | Yes | $24/seat/month* | Yes |
Gatekeeper | No | $1,245/month* | No |
SecurityScorecard | No | Contact vendor for pricing | No |
UpGuard | Yes | $1,599/month* | No |
ProcessUnity | No | Contact vendor for pricing | No |
Predict360 | No | Contact vendor for pricing | No |
Counself | No | Contact vendor for pricing | Yes |
SafeBase | No | Contact vendor for pricing | No |
Scytale | No | Contact vendor for pricing | No |
Vanta | No | Contact vendor for pricing | No |
* billed annually