News
Feb 19, 2026
News
Enterprise
Artificial Intelligence
Americas
NewDecoded
3 min read
Image by Diligent
Diligent has expanded its market-leading governance, risk, and compliance platform through the acquisition of 3rdRisk, an AI-native third-party risk management solution based in the Netherlands. Announced on January 14, 2026, the deal positions Diligent as a primary force in the rapidly growing sector of vendor oversight. By integrating these specialized capabilities, the company aims to help organizations manage the increasing volume and complexity of their digital dependencies. The move marks a significant step in Diligent’s strategy to automate manual processes that often hinder risk management teams. 3rdRisk utilizes artificial intelligence at its core to profile vendors and analyze complex contracts or certifications. This automation allows organizations to achieve audit readiness in weeks instead of quarters, providing a near real-time view of external ecosystems. Industry leaders highlight that vendor dependencies have moved from back-office concerns to board-level priorities. Scott Bridgen, General Manager at Diligent, noted that the combined platform delivers a unified, AI-driven view of risk from the boardroom to the extended vendor landscape. This holistic approach is designed to help professionals govern with greater confidence and address supply chain risks.
The acquisition is particularly timely given the rising regulatory scrutiny in Europe and beyond. With frameworks like the Digital Operational Resilience Act and NIS-2 becoming central to global business, the need for robust supply chain security has never been higher. 3rdRisk was built to address these specific compliance challenges, making it a valuable asset for global firms doing business in the European Union.
This announcement follows a year of intense AI innovation at Diligent, including the launch of tools like GovernAI and AI Risk Essentials. Bram Ketting, co-founder and CEO of 3rdRisk, stated that joining Diligent accelerates their vision of transforming vendor risk management on a global scale. The acquisition ensures that Diligent remains a recognized leader across major industry analyst firms while upgrading its automation capabilities.
The acquisition of 3rdRisk signals a broader industry shift from governance, risk, and compliance as a "System of Record" toward a "System of Intelligence." As boards demand real-time answers regarding supply chain vulnerabilities, simply storing data is no longer sufficient for modern governance. By securing a European-native AI platform, Diligent is effectively localizing its strategy to dominate the regulatory landscape shaped by DORA and NIS-2. This move forces competitors to accelerate their own automation efforts or risk losing market share in the high-stakes world of digital operational resilience.