Episode 73 — Vendor and Supply Chain Risk Fundamentals
Vendor and supply chain risks compound because they cross organizational boundaries. This episode outlines fundamentals the exam expects you to apply: segmentation of suppliers by criticality, mapping of dependencies and single points of failure, and alignment of contract obligations with monitoring cadence. You will learn how to translate due diligence into practical indicators—on-time performance, quality escapes, financial health, cybersecurity posture, and capacity signals—that feed your trigger watchlist. We emphasize that third-party risk is not a procurement-only concern; it is a project exposure requiring owners, thresholds, and scenarios for disruption, substitution, and recovery.
We continue with practices that keep exposure visible. Build tiered oversight so critical suppliers receive frequent reviews and contingency rehearsals, while lower tiers follow lighter checks. Use dual-sourcing or buffer stocks where feasible, and document rapid-switch criteria to avoid last-minute negotiation risk. Troubleshooting guidance includes opaque sub-tier suppliers, contractual blind spots around data rights or IP, and geographic concentration that ties lead times to regional events. On the PMI-RMP exam, the stronger answer usually establishes measurable oversight and preauthorized responses, not vague “increase communication” gestures. Treat the supply chain as an extended project system with its own indicators, triggers, and owners. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
