Supplier Risk Index Calculator

Score vendors across controls, data, and operational exposure. Tune weights to match your security priorities. See the index, level, and next steps in minutes.


Scoring & Weights
Scores: 0 = poor, 5 = excellent. Weights must total 100.
Security Controls Maturity
Policies, MFA, patching, backups, secure SDLC.
Weighted safety points:
Compliance & Assurance
SOC reports, ISO attestations, audits, evidence.
Weighted safety points:
Incident History
Frequency, severity, transparency, remediation.
Weighted safety points:
Access Exposure
Privileged access, network reach, segmentation.
Weighted safety points:
Data Sensitivity
PII, secrets, regulated data handling.
Weighted safety points:
Geographic / Regulatory
Jurisdictional risk, legal constraints, sanctions.
Weighted safety points:
Financial Stability
Runway, solvency, concentration risk.
Weighted safety points:
Service Criticality
Impact if supplier fails or is breached.
Weighted safety points:
Subprocessor Governance
Third parties, flow-down clauses, oversight.
Weighted safety points:
Monitoring & Visibility
Logs, telemetry, alerts, reporting cadence.
Weighted safety points:
Weight total: (must be 100)
Clear
Example Data Table
Illustrative values for comparison only.
Supplier Safety Index Risk Score Risk Level Typical Next Step
EdgeMail Relay 82.40 17.60 Low Annual review; keep evidence current.
DataLake Partner 61.15 38.85 Moderate Quarterly verification; subprocessor review.
RemoteOps Vendor 43.30 56.70 High Reduce privileges; demand assurance evidence.
LegacyBilling Co. 21.90 78.10 Critical Freeze new work; remediation plan before access.
Formula Used

Each dimension is scored from 0 to 5, where higher means safer. Convert the score to a safety percentage: Safety% = (Score ÷ 5) × 100.

The Supplier Safety Index is the weighted sum of all safety percentages: Index = Σ(Safety% × Weight%), with weights totaling 100.

The Risk Score is the inverse of the index: Risk = 100 − Index. Levels: Low (<35), Moderate (35–54.99), High (55–74.99), Critical (≥75).

How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter supplier details and confirm the assessment date.
  2. Score each dimension from 0 to 5 using available evidence.
  3. Adjust weights to reflect what matters most to your environment.
  4. Ensure the weight total equals 100, then submit.
  5. Review the index, risk level, top drivers, and actions.
  6. Export CSV/PDF to share, store, or attach to reviews.

Supplier attack surface and business impact

Third parties extend your environment through integrations, support channels, remote administration, and shared data stores. A single weak supplier can enable credential theft, ransomware staging, phishing amplification, or unauthorized data extraction. Quantifying exposure helps procurement and security compare vendors consistently, prioritize reviews, and justify mitigations based on measurable risk. It also supports board reporting by translating technical findings into a repeatable score.

Structured scoring for evidence-based decisions

This calculator uses ten dimensions covering controls maturity, assurance, incidents, access, data sensitivity, geography, financial stability, criticality, subprocessors, and visibility. Each is scored from 0 to 5 using verifiable evidence such as audit reports, incident disclosures, penetration testing summaries, architecture diagrams, and monitoring coverage. Capture the date of evidence and whether exceptions exist, because stale proof and unbounded exceptions reduce confidence even when controls look strong.

Weighted index aligned to your priorities

Not every supplier poses the same threat. A payroll processor may warrant heavier data sensitivity weighting, while an infrastructure provider may demand higher access and monitoring emphasis. By requiring weights to total 100, the model maintains comparability while letting you reflect what matters most in your operating context. When scope expands, revisit weights instead of inflating scores, so the index remains defensible across renewal cycles.

Interpreting results and thresholds

The Safety Index aggregates weighted safety percentages, then converts to an inverse Risk Score. Lower risk suggests routine monitoring, while higher risk signals tighter access, contract clauses, and remediation deadlines. Use consistent thresholds across departments, document rationale for exceptions, and reassess after major scope changes or new incidents. Pair the score with qualitative notes, such as data residency constraints or incident response maturity, to avoid oversimplification.

Operationalizing supplier risk management

Use outputs to drive action: tailor onboarding controls, segment network pathways, enforce least privilege, and require timely patching. Track top risk drivers to focus remediation on the largest contributors rather than chasing minor gaps. Export reports for audit trails, renewals, and executive dashboards, and schedule periodic reassessments to ensure controls remain effective. Over time, trend the index to measure whether supplier improvements actually reduce your residual risk. Include exit plans for critical suppliers before contracting.

FAQs

What does the Safety Index represent?

It is a 0–100 score where higher values indicate stronger supplier security posture after applying your chosen weights across all dimensions.

Why must weights total 100?

A fixed total keeps the model comparable across suppliers and prevents accidental inflation. Adjusting one dimension forces tradeoffs that reflect real prioritization.

How should we score Incident History?

Use disclosed events, verified public reporting, and demonstrated remediation. Score higher when incidents are rare, transparently handled, and followed by measurable control improvements.

Can we use this for subcontractors and cloud services?

Yes. Use the same dimensions, but tailor weights based on access level, data sensitivity, and dependency. Document assumptions for shared-responsibility models.

How often should we reassess a supplier?

Reassess at least annually, and sooner after scope increases, major incidents, mergers, or repeated SLA failures. Critical vendors often justify semiannual reviews.

What should we do when risk is High or Critical?

Reduce privileges, add monitoring, require updated assurance evidence, and set remediation deadlines. If gaps persist, restrict integrations or pause new work until controls improve.

Scoring Guidance
Use consistent criteria across suppliers.
0–1: Weak
Little evidence, recurring issues, or unmanaged access.
2–3: Developing
Controls exist but are incomplete, untested, or inconsistent.
4–5: Strong
Documented, tested, monitored controls with clear ownership.

Tips
  • Use evidence dates; older proof lowers confidence.
  • Increase Access weight for privileged integrations.
  • Increase Data weight for regulated information.
  • Review weights annually or after major changes.

Related Calculators

Vendor Risk ScoreThird Party RiskSupplier Security RiskVendor Breach ImpactVendor Risk RatingThird Party VulnerabilitySupplier Cyber RiskVendor Trust ScoreThird Party MaturitySupplier Incident Impact

Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.