How the expanding third party ecosystem is testing risk teams

In this episode of the ORX Operational Risk Podcast, Helen L’Abbate, Deputy Director of Research and Information, is joined by Emilie Odin and Nikki Truss‑West, ORX Research Senior Managers, to unpack how digital transformation, new customer expectations, tighter margins and modern operating models have accelerated firms’ reliance on external suppliers. Drawing on insights from the Third Party Ecosystem Risk Management practice paper and the Third Party Cyber Risk Oversight and Assessment 2025 report, the discussion translates emerging risks and community insights into practical, actionable guidance for risk teams.

Listen in as we explore what’s behind the surge in third‑party relationships, the cyber and resilience risks created by increasingly complex supply chains, and the steps firms are taking to strengthen oversight across both TPRM and cyber functions.

Topic highlights:

What third‑party ecosystem really means

What’s driving the rapid expansion

The risks created by the expanding ecosystem

How ORX members are evolving their TPRM frameworks

A first look at ORX’s 2026 third‑party deliverables

Episode resources

Available to ORX members

Third Party Ecosystem Risk Management paper: https://orx.org/resource/third-party-ecosystem-risk-management-2025

Third Party Ecosystem Risk Initiative: https://orx.org/project/third-party-ecosystem-risk-initiative