Why Continuous Criminal Monitoring Is A Key Component To Vendor Risk Management

Background Screening | Risk Management | November 5, 2021

If your organization’s approach to vendor risk management only includes screening your contractors the day you begin working with them, you could be exposing your organization to a variety of liability concerns.

It’s not uncommon for companies to conduct background checks on their employees before hiring them, or before beginning a contract agreement with contractors. But, as organizations become more aware of the importance of screening programs and as technology allows for more advanced screening processes, it’s become apparent that a single, one-time background check is insufficient for a comprehensive vendor risk management solution.

Why Isn’t a Single Background Check Enough?

If your organization uses a vendor network to serve customers, you may be utilizing the same individuals for months, or even years. Anyone can tell you that a lot can happen in that span of time. Contractors that may have met your criteria at the beginning of their contract could engage in future criminal activities that may go unnoticed. 

Using continuous criminal monitoring as part of your vendor risk management program alerts your organization if criminal activity is occuring in your network. This includes criminal activities like:

• Assaults
• Theft
• Impaired driving
• And more 

What About Periodic Rechecks? Is That Sufficient?

Periodic rechecks, while good practice, do not provide the same reassurance that a continuous monitoring program can. The standard periodic recheck screening cycle is every two years, and continuous monitoring allows for the time between rescreens to be covered as well. 

Does Criminal Activity Result In Contract Termination?

Many alerts that are received through continuous monitoring are minor offenses, and the final decision on whether to maintain or terminate the contractual relationship is at the discretion of your organization.

The benefit of continuous monitoring is that your organization has access to the information that is needed and can make proactive choices based on that information.

Contractor Screening in the Local Community

The contractors that you work with often provide services to your customers where they live. Your customers need to know that your company is making every possible effort to protect them in their homes and workplaces.

The majority of the information received through continuous monitoring is provided at the county level. By simply using the individual’s name and date of birth, this service provides almost real-time data from Department of Corrections facilities and county jails. 

A Key Part of Your Vendor Risk Management Program

Continuous criminal monitoring does not eliminate the need for periodic, in-depth background checks, and it is not a standalone safeguard against risk exposure. This proactive management tool is best used in addition to other efforts, including certificates of insurance tracking, license monitoring, and in-depth contractor screening.

PlusOne Solutions’ mission is to create and maintain meaningful and lasting relationships with our customers as we work with them to reduce risk exposure in the in-home service industry. To discuss how this solution, and any of our other service offerings could benefit your organization, contact us today.

Contents are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Users are reminded to seek legal counsel with respect to their obligations and use of PlusOne Solutions services.

About PlusOne Solutions

PlusOne Solutions has been an industry leader in the risk management field by specializing in compliance programs that meet the complex challenges of geographically dispersed contractors, vendors, and employee networks. PlusOne Solutions protects companies from possible financial, legal, and reputational risks associated with contractor and vendor relationships while creating safer work environments. To learn more, visit https://www.PlusOneSolutions.net.