Make the connection between controls and evidence
Protecting customer information requires more than a product name. Bank IT teams need to understand the risks, assign responsibility for improvements and keep evidence of the work. TimbukTech’s published service approach includes internal vulnerability scanning and a compliance management system to help organize findings, priorities and documentation.
For a bank engagement, start by identifying the requirements, systems and responsibilities in scope. The bank’s own risk and compliance team remains central to that process.
Identify the gaps
Discuss the systems, access arrangements and vulnerability findings that deserve attention. Distinguish a technical scan from a broader risk assessment or independent audit.
Plan the work
Connect findings to business impact, remediation priorities, owners and target dates. Establish what TimbukTech will deliver and what the bank or another provider will handle.
Organize the evidence
Agree on the records needed to demonstrate work completed, outstanding exceptions and follow-up decisions. Define the reporting format during scoping.
Bring your examination or review requirements
An upcoming review is a useful reason to discuss your current evidence and open issues. Bring the requested scope and timing to the conversation; arrange an appropriate secure channel before sharing examination material or sensitive system information.
A practical readiness discussion can cover an inventory of open findings, a responsibility matrix, evidence already available and the priorities for a proposed engagement. The work, cost and deliverables are defined before you proceed. Compliance support is not a certification or a guarantee of an examination result.
Reference points for bank IT teams
The FFIEC Information Security booklet addresses governance, controls, operations and assurance. Its introduction also explains the relationship to the banking agencies’ customer-information security standards implementing GLBA. Use the requirements applicable to your institution to define the engagement with your risk team.
The agencies’ third-party guidance makes clear that engaging a provider does not remove the bank’s responsibility for its regulatory obligations. TimbukTech’s role, your team’s role and the role of any independent assessor should be explicit.
- FFIEC Information Security: introduction
- Interagency third-party risk management guide for community banks
- OCC notice of the FFIEC CAT sunset
The FFIEC CAT sunset was announced for August 31, 2025. Discuss the current assessment approach appropriate to your institution.
Read about TimbukTech’s scanning and compliance approach · Discuss provider due diligence
Questions about getting started
Is a vulnerability scan the same as a compliance assessment?
No. A scan identifies technical findings. A broader assessment considers the relevant requirements, business context, responsibilities and evidence.
Can an IT provider guarantee an examination outcome?
No. The scope and evidence of an engagement can support the bank’s preparation, but the bank retains its responsibilities and examination outcomes are not guaranteed.
How do we start a readiness discussion?
Tell us the main concern, the relevant review or examination timing, and who owns IT and compliance at the institution. Agree on a secure exchange process before providing sensitive documents.