Third-Party Integration Controls Policy | Keep It Cyber

Third-Party Integration Controls Policy for Logistics Operations

Secure your external system connections and API integrations with a comprehensive framework specifically designed for logistics and supply chain environments.

NIST SP 800-171 CMMC v2 FMCSA Guidelines CTPAT Standards

Tier 3 Policy

What is a Third-Party Integration Controls Policy?

A Third-Party Integration Controls Policy establishes the formal framework, methodologies, and security requirements for all external systems connecting to your logistics environment. It defines how your organization securely implements, authenticates, monitors, and maintains integrations with fleet systems, SaaS platforms, APIs, and vendor services that interact with your data.

The policy creates a structured approach to integration security (how systems securely connect) and vendor access management (controlling what external parties can access), addressing the complete lifecycle from design and implementation through monitoring, incident response, and decommissioning.

Why It Matters for Logistics Companies

Logistics operations rely heavily on interconnected systems and vendor integrations that create unique security challenges. Without proper integration controls, your organization faces:

Unsecured connections to ELD, GPS, and telematics systems exposing driver and route data
Inappropriate vendor access to TMS and dispatch platforms containing sensitive shipment information
Unmonitored API connections that could leak customer data or create compliance violations
Supply chain disruptions from compromised third-party integrations
Integration vulnerabilities that bypass otherwise strong security controls
Non-compliance with regulatory requirements for vendor security (NIST, CMMC, CTPAT)

A well-implemented Third-Party Integration Controls Policy provides the foundation for secure system connections, data exchange integrity, and regulatory compliance—ensuring your logistics operations maintain security even when connecting with external platforms, partners, and services.

What's Typically Included

Our logistics-optimized Third-Party Integration Controls Policy addresses the unique challenges faced by freight brokers, carriers, and 3PLs:

Comprehensive integration security requirements for fleet-specific technologies (ELD, GPS, telematics)
Tiered integration classification system with appropriate controls for each risk level
API and webhook security standards for dispatch and TMS integration
Vendor security validation requirements including certifications and questionnaires
Integration logging, monitoring, and alerting specifications
Emergency access revocation procedures for compromised integrations
Integration testing and change management protocols
Incident response procedures specific to third-party security breaches
Role-specific responsibilities for managing integration security

Why Your Logistics Operation Needs This Policy

Secure third-party integration controls are essential for any logistics company with connected systems, vendor access, or regulatory requirements. It's particularly critical for:

Organizations with multiple fleet system integrations (ELD, GPS, maintenance platforms)
Companies using cloud-based TMS or WMS solutions that connect to external services
Operations supporting customer or partner-facing APIs and data exchange
Logistics providers pursuing government or defense contracts (CMMC requirements)
Cross-border carriers subject to CTPAT security standards
Organizations with mobile driver applications connecting to backend systems
Companies with EDI, XML, or JSON data exchanges for shipment processing

For comprehensive third-party security, 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 Third-Party Integration Controls 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 integration security framework
Fleet-specific API security requirements
Integration risk classification system
Vendor validation templates and questionnaires
Integration monitoring specifications
Emergency revocation procedures
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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about implementing a Third-Party Integration Controls Policy

How do we validate third-party integration security?

Our policy provides a multi-layered approach to integration security validation. For SaaS and cloud providers, we recommend requiring SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, or equivalent security certifications that demonstrate independent validation of their controls. For logistics-specific integrations like ELD and telematics platforms, our policy includes specialized assessment questionnaires that evaluate their security posture, data handling practices, and encryption methods. The policy also establishes continuous monitoring requirements including API gateway logging, activity anomaly detection, and periodic credential rotation. For high-risk integrations like payment processors or systems handling regulated data, the policy recommends additional measures such as annual penetration testing, quarterly vulnerability scans, and mandatory breach notification clauses in contracts. This comprehensive approach ensures that all external connections to your logistics systems are properly vetted and monitored.

What are the most critical API security measures for logistics systems?

For logistics operations, API security requires specialized controls due to the sensitive nature of shipment data, driver information, and routing details. Our policy emphasizes five critical measures: 1) Strong authentication using OAuth 2.0 or API keys with mandatory expiration periods; 2) Transport encryption requiring TLS 1.2+ for all API connections, especially mobile fleet applications; 3) Rate limiting and throttling to prevent system abuse and protect availability; 4) Granular access controls with scoped API permissions that limit access to specific data types; and 5) Comprehensive logging of all API transactions for security monitoring and compliance. The policy also addresses logistics-specific concerns such as secure mobile driver app integrations, GPS data protection, and EDI security for shipment data exchange. For operations supporting customer-facing APIs, the policy includes additional guidance on API versioning, deprecation processes, and secure webhook implementation to maintain both security and operational reliability.

How should we monitor third-party integration activity?

Effective monitoring of third-party integrations requires both technical controls and operational procedures. Our policy recommends implementing an API gateway or management platform that centralizes all integration traffic for consistent monitoring and policy enforcement. At minimum, you should log all integration activity with timestamps, source IP addresses, authentication details, and the specific actions or data accessed. For logistics operations, we recommend creating custom alerting profiles for high-risk activities like bulk data downloads, access outside business hours, or unusual geographic access patterns. The policy includes guidance on establishing baseline patterns for each integration type (e.g., normal ELD data submission volumes and frequency) and detecting anomalies that may indicate compromise. For regulatory compliance, our policy specifies minimum log retention periods (typically 3 years for regulated logistics operations) and log protection measures to ensure forensic viability. The monitoring requirements also address integration availability tracking to detect outages or performance issues that could impact operations.

How do we classify different types of integrations based on risk?

Our policy establishes a three-tier classification framework for integrations based on data sensitivity, access privileges, and operational impact. Tier 1 (High Risk) integrations include those handling CUI, driver PII, administrative access, payment processing, or critical operational systems. These require quarterly security reviews, mandatory MFA, comprehensive logging, and the strongest controls. Tier 2 (Medium Risk) integrations process business-sensitive data but not regulated information—such as maintenance systems, parts inventories, or analytics platforms. These require semi-annual reviews and standard security controls. Tier 3 (Low Risk) integrations handle only public data or have highly restricted access, requiring annual reviews with baseline security requirements. The policy includes a detailed assessment worksheet that helps logistics operations classify each integration based on specific criteria including data types accessed, authentication methods, connection frequency, and operational dependencies. This risk-based approach ensures you apply appropriate controls to each integration without unnecessarily burdening lower-risk connections with excessive requirements.

What should we do if we suspect a third-party integration is compromised?

Our policy includes a comprehensive incident response framework specifically for integration security incidents. Upon suspicion of compromise, the first step is immediate access revocation—our policy provides technical procedures for different integration types including API keys, OAuth tokens, and network connections. The policy emphasizes automation where possible, enabling rapid response through pre-configured playbooks. After containment, the policy directs teams to preserve all relevant logs and conduct a thorough forensic review to determine the nature and extent of the compromise. For logistics operations, the policy includes specialized guidance on assessing impact to shipment data, load tracking systems, and customer communications. The policy also outlines vendor notification requirements, regulatory reporting obligations, and formal post-incident review procedures that help strengthen controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. For cross-border carriers, the policy addresses CTPAT-specific incident reporting timelines and documentation requirements to maintain certification status.

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