Ways to Improve Your First Line of Defense in a 3LoD Model
Ways to Improve Your First Line of Defense in a 3LoD Model

Ways to Improve Your First Line of Defense in a 3LoD ERM Model

Market shifts and tumultuous risk events in recent years have encouraged companies to increase their focus on enterprise risk management (ERM). Risk cultures have reorganized around adopting the Three Lines of Defense (3LoD) model of ERM.

The 3LoD model is advocated by CFPB, FFIEC, OCC, and others. The framework breaks the first line of defense (FLoD) into risk owners, the second line of defense (SLoD) into compliance review, and the third line of defense (TLoD) into independent monitors who audit the first two lines of defense. The TLoD is well understood. However, there are challenges with the first two.

How can you understand and optimize the FLoD to reap the rewards of the 3LoD model? Use ERM software solution to improve controls and processes within the FLoD and create harmony between the first and second lines.

Improve controls and processes

The FLoD is front-line and mid-line management. They can institute corrective actions to address process and control deficiencies in the systems and processes they own and manage every day. This guides internal policies and procedures and increases the likelihood of achieving company goals and objectives.

Unfortunately, defining the FLoD can be a challenge. There is sometimes a lack of clarity in roles, requirements, and responsibilities.

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Operation managers need to take ownership of their risks. Then the FLoD can be improved by:

  • Understanding your company’s risk appetite, value drivers, strategic objectives, and key risks
  • Documenting risk owner assurance functions, mandates, activities, and scopes of work
  • Obtaining an understanding of the C-suite and board’s requirements for risk oversight and reporting
  • Creating a risk coverage map and mapping risks to processes and controls
  • Comparing controls and processes for consistency and completeness against risks

These best practices serve to encourage collaboration between the three lines of defense. Linking the FLoD and SLoD, in particular, requires managers to take on risks and auditors to focus on governance structures and strategic value.

ERM facilitates communication and teamwork

An ERM-GRC solution can assist your ERM program in assessing and reporting risk across controls, applications, and processes. Simple configurations within a structured framework can align inherent risk, probabilistic risk, control efficacy, and residual risk assessments within your business. These assessments can be defined against the policies and procedures specific to individuals and departments.

You can facilitate communication and teamwork with the regulators and auditors in the other lines of defense by proving the effectiveness of the FLoD. Demonstrate this with assessment and documentation functionalities, including those related to sub-processes, applications/systems, and third-party providers.

The 3LoD model provides a powerful framework to enhance communication regarding risk and control across an enterprise. For the second and third lines to thrive, however, the FLoD needs special attention. So simplify the implementation and maintenance of the 3LoD model for your company’s ERM program with an ERM solution.

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