UpGuard Partners with Internet2 to Enhance Third-Party Risk Management for Educational Institutions

UpGuard's New Role in Education

UpGuard, a prominent player in cybersecurity and risk management, has recently established a partnership with Internet2, a consortium of U.S. research and education institutions. This collaboration highlights the launch of the NET+ UpGuard program, designed to simplify third-party risk management for educational entities. With this initiative, institutions can anticipate not only a reduction in the complexities associated with vendor risk management but also a strengthening of their vendor ecosystems.

Following a thorough evaluation involving fourteen participating higher education institutions, the NET+ UpGuard program emerged as a favorable solution. As noted by Sean O'Brien, Associate Vice President for NET+ Cloud Services at Internet2, the collaboration exemplifies a community-driven approach to addressing the unique challenges faced by educational institutions in managing vendor risks. He emphasized that institutions need not navigate these complexities independently; instead, this initiative encourages collaboration between educational organizations and industry leaders to foster effective risk management strategies.

The Landscape of Vendor Risk Management
In today's digital landscape, educational institutions are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, making robust cybersecurity measures all the more critical. With complex supply chains and rapid technological advancements, these institutions face the daunting challenge of protecting their sensitive data against the backdrop of constrained resources. As they increasingly rely on third-party vendors, the potential for data breaches escalates, further underscoring the importance of a strong cybersecurity posture throughout the supply chain.

UpGuard's Vendor Risk solution is an integrated component of its innovative AI-powered Cyber Risk Posture Management (CRPM) platform. Through this initiative, institutions will have access to continuous vendor insights, comprehensive assessments, and efficient AI-driven workflows. The NET+ UpGuard program is poised to streamline institutional workflows by facilitating impactful coordination for vendor evaluations, including HECVAT, IT accessibility, and adherence to institutional security guidelines.

By offering a structured approach to these assessments, educational institutions can efficiently manage evaluations, securely store evidence, and seamlessly share information with relevant stakeholders. This systematic feedback loop enhances collaboration and expedites the evaluation and approval processes related to third-party vendors. Ongoing monitoring and reporting will afford institutions continued visibility into their vendors’ security postures, enabling proactive risk identification and mitigation.

Validation and Future Directions of the Collaboration
This collaboration represents an essential validation of UpGuard's Vendor Risk platform, as stated by the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kaushik Sen. He acknowledged that the Vendor Risk solution effectively addresses the unique challenges that research and educational institutions confront when managing third-party risks. With the launch of the NET+ UpGuard program, institutions can enjoy a cost-effective, straightforward, and research-oriented solution tailored specifically for their needs.

About the NET+ Services from Internet2
Internet2's NET+ offerings consist of a diverse array of cloud solutions, carefully curated by the RE community members who actively contributed to shaping them. Furthermore, they underwent rigorous evaluation and procurement processes to ensure they meet the specific needs of research and education institutions. The introduction of NET+ UpGuard undoubtedly enhances the opportunities available for innovation in vendor risk management within this important sector.

As a precursor to the official launch, a NET+ UpGuard Webinar is scheduled for May 13, where thought leaders and experienced security professionals will share insights into their experiences with the NET+ evaluation process and the challenges of managing third-party risks.

For those interested, the webinar will feature speakers such as Steven Lovaas, Chief Information Security Officer at Colorado State University, and Ramon Delacruz, Senior Manager of Information Security and Data Privacy at Harvard University.

Conclusion
This partnership between UpGuard and Internet2 signifies a crucial advancement in the ongoing mission to manage vendor risks effectively. As educational institutions continue to face evolving cyber threats, the NET+ UpGuard program offers valuable resources and expertise to help them navigate these challenges successfully. With its commitment to fostering collaboration and enhanced cybersecurity practices, this initiative is set to revolutionize the approach educational institutions take towards vendor risk management.

Topics Consumer Technology)

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