Third-party Vendor Risks Flashcards
2.2 - Explain common threat vectors and attack surfaces 2.3 - Explain various types of vulnerabilities 5.3 - Explain the processes associated with third-party risk assessment and management
What is the primary focus of third-party vendor risk?
A. Internal employee training
B. Potential security and operational challenges from external collaborators
C. Financial auditing of internal departments
D. Marketing strategies for vendor partnerships
Answer:
B. Potential security and operational challenges from external collaborators
Explanation:
Correct: Third-party vendor risk focuses on the security and operational challenges introduced by external entities like vendors, suppliers, or service providers.
Incorrect Options:
A: Internal employee training is unrelated to third-party risks.
C: Financial auditing of internal departments is an internal process, not tied to external vendors.
D: Marketing strategies are irrelevant to third-party vendor risks.
Which of the following are common threat vectors? (Choose Two)
A. Phishing emails
B. Firewall configurations
C. Social engineering
D. Employee training programs
Answer:
A. Phishing emails
C. Social engineering
Explanation:
Correct:
A: Phishing emails are a common threat vector used to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information.
C: Social engineering involves manipulating people into breaking security protocols.
Incorrect Options:
B: Firewall configurations are part of defense mechanisms, not threat vectors.
D: Employee training programs are proactive measures to mitigate risks, not threat vectors.
What are the three main types of vulnerabilities discussed in the context of third-party vendor risks? (Choose Three)
A. Hardware vulnerabilities
B. Financial vulnerabilities
C. Software vulnerabilities
D. Operational vulnerabilities
Answer:
A. Hardware vulnerabilities
C. Software vulnerabilities
D. Operational vulnerabilities
Explanation:
Correct:
A: Hardware vulnerabilities involve components with weaknesses, such as compromised hardware.
C: Software vulnerabilities include applications with hidden backdoors or flaws.
D: Operational vulnerabilities arise from inadequate cybersecurity protocols.
Incorrect Option:
B: Financial vulnerabilities are not discussed in the context of third-party vendor risks.
Which of the following is an example of an attack surface?
A. A phishing email sent to an employee
B. A firewall protecting a network
C. A vendor’s unsecured API endpoint
D. An employee’s cybersecurity training
Answer:
C. A vendor’s unsecured API endpoint
Explanation:
Correct: An attack surface refers to points where unauthorized users can attempt to enter a system, such as an unsecured API endpoint.
Incorrect Options:
A: A phishing email is a threat vector, not an attack surface.
B: A firewall is a defensive mechanism, not an attack surface.
D: Employee training is a mitigation strategy, not an attack surface.
What is the purpose of conducting penetration testing on vendors?
A. To evaluate their financial stability
B. To test their security defenses and identify vulnerabilities
C. To assess their marketing strategies
D. To review their employee training programs
Answer:
B. To test their security defenses and identify vulnerabilities
Explanation:
Correct: Penetration testing is used to evaluate a vendor’s security defenses and uncover potential vulnerabilities.
Incorrect Options:
A: Financial stability is assessed through audits, not penetration testing.
C: Marketing strategies are unrelated to penetration testing.
D: Employee training programs are reviewed separately, not through penetration testing.
Which of the following are components of vendor assessments? (Choose Three)
A. Pre-partnership evaluation
B. Penetration testing
C. Marketing strategy review
D. Right to audit clauses
Answer:
A. Pre-partnership evaluation
B. Penetration testing
D. Right to audit clauses
Explanation:
Correct:
A: Pre-partnership evaluation ensures the vendor meets security standards before collaboration.
B: Penetration testing identifies vulnerabilities in the vendor’s systems.
D: Right to audit clauses allow organizations to verify vendor compliance.
Incorrect Option:
C: Marketing strategy review is unrelated to vendor assessments.
What is the purpose of a right-to-audit clause in a vendor contract?
A. To ensure the vendor meets financial goals
B. To allow the organization to verify the vendor’s compliance with security standards
C. To review the vendor’s marketing strategies
D. To assess the vendor’s employee satisfaction
Answer:
B. To allow the organization to verify the vendor’s compliance with security standards
Explanation:
Correct: A right-to-audit clause enables the organization to verify that the vendor adheres to agreed-upon security and operational standards.
Incorrect Options:
A: Financial goals are unrelated to right-to-audit clauses.
C: Marketing strategies are not the focus of such clauses.
D: Employee satisfaction is assessed through other means, not audits.
Which of the following are examples of nuanced agreements used in vendor partnerships? (Choose Two)
A. Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
B. Employee training manuals
C. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
D. Financial audit reports
Answer:
A. Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
C. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
Explanation:
Correct:
A: SLAs define the expected level of service from the vendor.
C: NDAs protect sensitive information shared between parties.
Incorrect Options:
B: Employee training manuals are internal documents, not vendor agreements.
D: Financial audit reports are outcomes of audits, not agreements.
What is the primary goal of ongoing vendor monitoring?
A. To ensure the vendor meets financial targets
B. To maintain vigilance over the vendor’s performance and security practices
C. To review the vendor’s marketing strategies
D. To assess the vendor’s employee turnover rate
Answer:
B. To maintain vigilance over the vendor’s performance and security practices
Explanation:
Correct: Ongoing vendor monitoring ensures the vendor continues to meet performance and security standards.
Incorrect Options:
A: Financial targets are not the primary focus of ongoing monitoring.
C: Marketing strategies are irrelevant to vendor monitoring.
D: Employee turnover rate is not a key metric for vendor monitoring.
Which of the following is an example of a supply chain attack?
A. Phishing emails targeting employees
B. Hardware counterfeiting
C. Firewall misconfigurations
D. Employee training programs
Answer:
B. Hardware counterfeiting
Explanation:
Correct: Hardware counterfeiting is a supply chain attack where compromised hardware is introduced into the supply chain.
Incorrect Options:
A: Phishing emails are not related to supply chain attacks.
C: Firewall misconfigurations are internal security issues.
D: Employee training programs are proactive measures, not attacks.
What is the primary risk associated with hardware manufacturers in the supply chain?
A. Lack of customer support
B. Component tampering or untrustworthy vendors
C. High cost of hardware
D. Limited availability of hardware
Answer:
B. Component tampering or untrustworthy vendors
Explanation:
Correct: Hardware manufacturers face risks from component tampering or sourcing from untrustworthy vendors, which can introduce vulnerabilities.
Incorrect Options:
A: Lack of customer support is not a primary supply chain risk.
C: High cost is a financial concern, not a supply chain risk.
D: Limited availability is a logistical issue, not a security risk.
Which of the following are risks associated with purchasing hardware from secondary or aftermarket sources? (Choose Two)
A. Lower cost compared to new hardware
B. Risk of acquiring counterfeit or tampered devices
C. Devices may contain malware or vulnerabilities
D. Guaranteed authenticity of components
Answer:
B. Risk of acquiring counterfeit or tampered devices
C. Devices may contain malware or vulnerabilities
Explanation:
Correct:
B: Secondary sources may sell counterfeit or tampered devices.
C: These devices could contain malware or vulnerabilities.
Incorrect Options:
A: Lower cost is a benefit, not a risk.
D: Authenticity is not guaranteed in secondary markets.
What is the purpose of the Trusted Foundry program?
A. To reduce the cost of hardware manufacturing
B. To ensure secure manufacturing and authenticity of hardware components
C. To provide customer support for hardware devices
D. To increase the availability of hardware components
Answer:
B. To ensure secure manufacturing and authenticity of hardware components
Explanation:
Correct: The Trusted Foundry program ensures that hardware components are manufactured securely and are authentic.
Incorrect Options:
A: Cost reduction is not the goal of the Trusted Foundry program.
C: Customer support is unrelated to the program.
D: Availability is not the focus of the program.
Which of the following are steps to mitigate risks from software developers and providers? (Choose Three)
A. Ensure proper licensing and authenticity of software
B. Scan software for known vulnerabilities and malware
C. Review the source code of proprietary software
D. Use open-source software for easier source code review
Answer:
A. Ensure proper licensing and authenticity of software
B. Scan software for known vulnerabilities and malware
D. Use open-source software for easier source code review
Explanation:
Correct:
A: Proper licensing and authenticity reduce the risk of using compromised software.
B: Scanning software helps identify vulnerabilities and malware.
D: Open-source software allows for source code review, enhancing transparency.
Incorrect Option:
C: Proprietary software does not allow source code review.
What is a key consideration when selecting a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?
A. The MSP’s marketing strategies
B. The MSP’s commitment to security and cybersecurity protocols
C. The MSP’s employee turnover rate
D. The MSP’s financial performance
Answer:
B. The MSP’s commitment to security and cybersecurity protocols
Explanation:
Correct: An MSP’s commitment to security and robust cybersecurity protocols is critical to ensuring data confidentiality and integrity.
Incorrect Options:
A: Marketing strategies are irrelevant to security considerations.
C: Employee turnover rate is not a primary factor in MSP selection.
D: Financial performance is less important than security measures.
Which of the following are challenges posed by Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers? (Choose Two)
A. Ensuring data confidentiality and integrity
B. High cost of SaaS solutions
C. Limited availability of SaaS solutions
D. Assessing the provider’s cybersecurity protocols
Answer:
A. Ensuring data confidentiality and integrity
D. Assessing the provider’s cybersecurity protocols
Explanation:
Correct:
A: SaaS providers must ensure data confidentiality and integrity.
D: Organizations must assess the provider’s cybersecurity protocols to ensure security.
Incorrect Options:
B: High cost is not a primary challenge specific to SaaS.
C: Availability is generally not an issue with SaaS solutions.
What is the primary risk of using open-source software in the supply chain?
A. High licensing costs
B. Lack of customer support
C. Potential for unvetted or malicious code
D. Limited functionality compared to proprietary software
Answer:
C. Potential for unvetted or malicious code
Explanation:
Correct: Open-source software may contain unvetted or malicious code if not properly reviewed.
Incorrect Options:
A: Open-source software is typically free or low-cost.
B: Lack of customer support is not the primary risk.
D: Open-source software often has robust functionality.
Which of the following are components of a holistic supply chain risk strategy? (Choose Three)
A. Rigorous supply chain assessments
B. Vendor selection based on cost alone
C. Due diligence and historical performance evaluation
D. Commitment to security by vendors
Answer:
A. Rigorous supply chain assessments
C. Due diligence and historical performance evaluation
D. Commitment to security by vendors
Explanation:
Correct:
A: Rigorous assessments help trace origins and ensure component integrity.
C: Due diligence and historical performance are critical for vendor selection.
D: Vendors must demonstrate a commitment to security.
Incorrect Option:
B: Vendor selection should not be based solely on cost.
What is the primary goal of conducting a supply chain audit?
A. To reduce the cost of hardware and software
B. To ensure the integrity and security of components and services
C. To increase the speed of product delivery
D. To evaluate the marketing strategies of vendors
Answer:
B. To ensure the integrity and security of components and services
Explanation:
Correct: A supply chain audit ensures the integrity and security of components and services.
Incorrect Options:
A: Cost reduction is not the primary goal of a supply chain audit.
C: Speed of delivery is unrelated to security audits.
D: Marketing strategies are not the focus of supply chain audits.
Which of the following is an example of a supply chain attack?
A. Phishing emails targeting employees
B. Hardware counterfeiting
C. Firewall misconfigurations
D. Employee training programs
Answer:
B. Hardware counterfeiting
Explanation:
Correct: Hardware counterfeiting is a supply chain attack where compromised hardware is introduced into the supply chain.
Incorrect Options:
A: Phishing emails are not related to supply chain attacks.
C: Firewall misconfigurations are internal security issues.
D: Employee training programs are proactive measures, not attacks.
What is a supply chain attack?
A. An attack that directly targets a well-fortified organization
B. An attack that exploits vulnerabilities in suppliers or service providers to access a primary target
C. An attack that focuses on phishing employees
D. An attack that disrupts financial transactions
Answer:
B. An attack that exploits vulnerabilities in suppliers or service providers to access a primary target
Explanation:
Correct: A supply chain attack targets weaker links in the supply chain (e.g., suppliers or service providers) to gain access to a more secure primary target.
Incorrect Options:
A: Direct attacks on well-fortified organizations are not supply chain attacks.
C: Phishing employees is a social engineering tactic, not a supply chain attack.
D: Disrupting financial transactions is unrelated to supply chain attacks.
Which of the following are examples of supply chain attacks? (Choose Two)
A. Phishing emails targeting employees
B. Counterfeit Cisco routers with embedded malware
C. SolarWinds Orion software update compromise
D. Firewall misconfigurations
Answer:
B. Counterfeit Cisco routers with embedded malware
C. SolarWinds Orion software update compromise
Explanation:
Correct:
B: Counterfeit Cisco routers with embedded malware are a hardware-based supply chain attack.
C: The SolarWinds Orion compromise is a software-based supply chain attack.
Incorrect Options:
A: Phishing emails are not supply chain attacks.
D: Firewall misconfigurations are internal security issues, not supply chain attacks.
What is the primary goal of the CHIPS Act of 2022?
A. To reduce the cost of semiconductors for consumers
B. To boost semiconductor research and manufacturing in the U.S.
C. To increase reliance on foreign-made semiconductors
D. To provide subsidies for software development
Answer:
B. To boost semiconductor research and manufacturing in the U.S.
Explanation:
Correct: The CHIPS Act aims to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor supply chain by boosting domestic research and manufacturing.
Incorrect Options:
A: Cost reduction for consumers is not the primary goal.
C: The act aims to reduce reliance on foreign-made semiconductors, not increase it.
D: Subsidies are focused on semiconductor manufacturing, not software development.
Which of the following are key components of safeguarding against supply chain attacks? (Choose Three)
A. Vendor due diligence
B. Regular monitoring and audits
C. Increasing reliance on foreign suppliers
D. Incorporating contractual safeguards
Answer:
A. Vendor due diligence
B. Regular monitoring and audits
D. Incorporating contractual safeguards
Explanation:
Correct:
A: Vendor due diligence ensures suppliers meet security standards.
B: Regular monitoring and audits help detect vulnerabilities early.
D: Contractual safeguards enforce security standards with legal repercussions.
Incorrect Option:
C: Increasing reliance on foreign suppliers increases supply chain risks.