Which term is used for a third party that provides support for the internal operations of a website or online service?

• A. Third-Party Service Provider
• B. Vendor
• C. Contractor
• D. Client

Answer: (A)

The key idea is identifying an external entity that handles ongoing operational work to support a website or online service. A third-party service provider is precisely that: an outside company or individual that delivers continuous services—such as hosting, maintenance, monitoring, security operations, or support—to keep the site or service running. The term emphasizes the ongoing nature of the support, which is central to how these relationships are managed in risk and governance efforts.

This fits best because it distinguishes the entity from other terms. A vendor is a broad label for someone who sells goods or services, not necessarily focused on ongoing operations. A contractor usually indicates a project-based engagement rather than continuous support. A client is the user or customer of the service, not the external provider delivering the operations.

So, the correct term is a third-party service provider, reflecting the external partner responsible for sustaining the internal operations of the website or online service.