Explore Third Party IT Risk & Cyber Analyst jobs and discover a critical career at the intersection of cybersecurity, vendor management, and enterprise risk. Professionals in this specialized field act as organizational sentinels, tasked with safeguarding a company’s digital ecosystem from risks introduced by external partners, suppliers, and service providers. As businesses increasingly rely on third parties for IT services, cloud platforms, and software solutions, the potential attack surface expands dramatically. Third Party IT Risk & Cyber Analysts are the dedicated experts who assess, monitor, and mitigate these external threats, ensuring that an organization’s security posture remains resilient beyond its own perimeter. A career in this domain typically involves a cyclical process of due diligence, continuous monitoring, and risk management. Common responsibilities include conducting comprehensive security assessments of potential and existing vendors, evaluating their controls against industry standards and internal policies. Analysts meticulously review contracts and security questionnaires, perform on-site or virtual audits, and analyze the results of penetration tests or security attestations (like SOC 2 reports). Once a vendor is onboarded, the role shifts to ongoing oversight: tracking the vendor’s security performance, managing the remediation of identified vulnerabilities, and ensuring compliance with agreed-upon security schedules. Furthermore, these analysts play a key governance role, often developing and refining the organization’s third-party risk management framework, creating standardized processes, and educating internal business stakeholders on risk-aware vendor engagement. To excel in Third Party IT Risk & Cyber Analyst jobs, a blend of technical knowledge and soft skills is essential. A strong foundational understanding of cybersecurity principles—such as network security, cloud security, data protection, and incident response—is paramount. Familiarity with major regulatory frameworks (like GDPR, NYDFS, or FFIEC) and standards (such as ISO 27001, NIST CSF) is highly valuable. On the softer side, exceptional analytical and communication skills are crucial for interpreting complex technical findings and articulating risk to non-technical business leaders. Typical requirements for these positions often include a bachelor’s degree in information security, computer science, or a related field, coupled with 2-5 years of experience in IT risk, cybersecurity, or audit. Professional certifications, while not always mandatory, are strongly preferred and demonstrate committed expertise; these include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or vendor-specific risk assessment credentials. For those seeking a strategic cybersecurity career that combines deep technical analysis with broad business impact, Third Party IT Risk & Cyber Analyst jobs offer a dynamic and ever-evolving pathway. These professionals are vital defenders in a connected business world, ensuring that trust and security extend through every link in the supply chain.