Risk Assessment Policy | Keep It Cyber

Risk Assessment Policy for Logistics Operations

Establish a comprehensive risk management framework that identifies, analyzes, and mitigates threats across your logistics environment. NIST-aligned and CMMC-ready.

NIST SP 800-171 CMMC v2 FMCSA Guidelines CTPAT Standards

Tier 3 Policy

What is a Risk Assessment Policy?

A Risk Assessment Policy establishes the formal framework, methodologies, and responsibilities for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks across your logistics operation. It defines how your organization systematically evaluates threats to systems, data, and operations, and implements controls to reduce exposure.

The policy creates a structured approach to threat identification (what could harm your business) and vulnerability management (where your weaknesses lie), addressing the complete risk management lifecycle from assessment through remediation and continuous monitoring.

Why It Matters for Logistics Companies

Logistics operations face unique risk landscapes with complex interdependencies, regulated data flows, and evolving threat vectors. Without proper risk assessment, your organization faces:

Unidentified vulnerabilities in TMS, ELD, and dispatch systems
Supply chain disruptions without contingency planning
Inadequate controls for protecting sensitive cargo and customer data
Vendor security gaps affecting your regulatory compliance
Compliance violations with NIST, CMMC, FMCSA, and CTPAT requirements

A well-implemented Risk Assessment Policy provides the foundation for data-driven security decisions, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience—ensuring your logistics business can identify, prioritize, and address the most critical threats to your operations.

What's Typically Included

Our logistics-optimized Risk Assessment Policy addresses the unique challenges faced by freight brokers, carriers, and 3PLs:

Comprehensive risk assessment methodology with qualitative and quantitative approaches
Supply chain risk assessment procedures for transportation and logistics partners
Threat modeling and vulnerability management for fleet technologies
Cloud service provider and vendor risk evaluation frameworks
Business impact analysis integration for operational continuity
Assessment frequencies and triggers specific to logistics operations
Emerging risk identification processes for evolving threats
Risk communication and escalation procedures for stakeholders

Why Your Logistics Operation Needs This Policy

Structured risk assessment is essential for any logistics company with regulated data, multiple vendors, or complex operational dependencies. It's particularly critical for:

Companies pursuing government or defense logistics contracts
Cross-border carriers subject to CTPAT requirements
3PLs managing extensive vendor and partner networks
Operations transitioning to cloud-based logistics platforms
Companies seeking cyber insurance for logistics operations
Organizations handling sensitive shipment information

For comprehensive risk management, pair this policy with a Vendor Management Policy and Incident Response Policy to create a complete risk governance framework for your logistics organization.

Available in Our Regulated Logistics+ Tier

The Risk Assessment Policy is included in our advanced compliance package for logistics operations with complex regulatory requirements

Tier 3: Regulated Logistics+

$8,500 · One-time purchase

Comprehensive risk assessment methodology
Qualitative and quantitative analysis frameworks
Supply chain risk management procedures
Threat intelligence integration guidance
Business impact analysis correlation
Tabletop exercise templates for risk scenarios
Full NIST, CMMC, CTPAT mapping

See Full Package

This policy is exclusively available in our Tier 3 package due to its specialized nature and advanced regulatory alignment.

Compare All Policy Tiers

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about implementing a Risk Assessment Policy

How often should we conduct risk assessments for logistics systems?

Our policy recommends a tiered assessment schedule based on system criticality. For mission-critical logistics platforms like TMS, dispatch systems, and fleet tracking tools, we recommend quarterly risk refreshes to capture evolving threats and vulnerabilities. Lower-tier systems can be assessed annually as part of a comprehensive risk evaluation. Additionally, certain triggers should prompt immediate assessments, including major platform upgrades, new vendor integrations, regulatory changes, or security incidents. The policy includes a detailed assessment calendar template that helps logistics operations coordinate these assessments with minimal operational disruption while maintaining regulatory compliance with frameworks like CMMC and CTPAT.

How do we assess risks from logistics vendors and partners?

The policy includes a structured supply chain risk assessment methodology specifically designed for logistics environments. This includes standardized questionnaires for carriers, freight forwarders, and technology vendors that assess their security controls, financial stability, and operational resilience. We recommend evaluating fourth-party risk (your vendor's vendors) for critical suppliers, geographic concentration risks that could affect transportation routes, and data handling practices for partners with access to sensitive shipment information. The policy provides a vendor risk scoring model that helps prioritize remediation efforts and determine appropriate contract requirements. For high-risk vendors, we recommend more frequent assessments and more detailed security validation through documentation reviews and security attestations.

What qualifications should our risk assessment team have?

Effective risk assessment requires a cross-functional team with both technical and operational expertise. The policy outlines role-specific responsibilities and recommended qualifications for each team member. At minimum, your team should include representation from IT/Security (technical risk expertise), Operations (logistics process knowledge), Compliance (regulatory requirements), and Executive Leadership (risk acceptance authority). For organizations with limited internal resources, we provide guidance on leveraging external partners like MSPs or consultants to supplement your team's capabilities. The policy includes training requirements for all team members, including risk assessment methodologies, scoring techniques, and logistics-specific threat modeling. We recommend certifications like CRISC, CISSP, or supply chain security credentials for team leaders when possible.

How do we incorporate threat intelligence into our risk assessments?

Our policy provides a structured approach to integrating threat intelligence into your risk assessment process. We recommend subscribing to logistics-specific threat feeds that cover both cyber and physical security threats relevant to transportation operations. The policy includes guidance on mapping threat actor capabilities to your specific assets and adjusting risk scores based on current threat landscapes. For smaller organizations, we identify free and low-cost intelligence resources focused on supply chain and logistics sectors. The policy also covers how to document intelligence sources and confidence levels to support risk decisions, and how to establish regular threat intelligence reviews to keep your risk assessments current. This approach ensures your risk mitigation efforts are focused on the most likely and impactful threats to your logistics operations.

How does this policy help with CTPAT compliance?

Our Risk Assessment Policy directly addresses CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria requirements for risk assessment, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity and supply chain security. The policy includes specific guidance on assessing physical security risks at logistics facilities, documenting international shipping route security, and evaluating border crossing vulnerabilities. It provides templates for CTPAT-aligned risk assessments that can be presented during validation visits, and establishes the annual assessment cadence required by the program. For cross-border carriers and freight forwarders, the policy includes specialized supply chain risk assessment components that evaluate both cyber and physical security risks across international movements. This comprehensive approach ensures your risk assessment program will satisfy CTPAT requirements while delivering practical security improvements for your cross-border operations.

Ready to Strengthen Your Risk Management?

Get our comprehensive Tier 3 policy suite for regulated logistics operations

Get Started Today

Need help with regulatory compliance? Contact Us