The provision of ICT servicesmeans digital and data services provided through ICT systems to one or more internal or external users on an ongoing basis, including hardware as a service and hardware services which includes the provision of technical support via software or firmware updates by the hardware provider, excluding traditional analogue telephone services; to financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) often depends on a complex chain of ICT subcontractors whereby ICT third-party service providersmeans an undertaking providing ICT services; may enter into one or more subcontracting arrangements with other ICT third-party service providersmeans an undertaking providing ICT services;. While this indirect reliance on ICT subcontractors may have an impact on financial entities’ ability to identify, assess and manage their risks, including risks linked to gaps in the information provided by ICT third-party service providersmeans an undertaking providing ICT services; and to the financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t)' limited ability to obtain information from ICT subcontractors providing ICT servicesmeans digital and data services provided through ICT systems to one or more internal or external users on an ongoing basis, including hardware as a service and hardware services which includes the provision of technical support via software or firmware updates by the hardware provider, excluding traditional analogue telephone services; supporting critical or important functionsmeans a function, the disruption of which would materially impair the financial performance of a financial entity, or the soundness or continuity of its services and activities, or the discontinued, defective or failed performance of that function would materially impair the continuing compliance of a financial entity with the conditions and obligations of its authorisation, or with its other obligations under applicable financial services law; or material parts thereof, it cannot reduce the responsibilities the financial entitiesas defined in Article 2, points (a) to (t) and their management bodiesmeans a management body as defined in Article 4(1), point (36), of Directive 2014/65/EU, Article 3(1), point (7), of Directive 2013/36/EU, Article 2(1), point (s), of Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (31), Article 2(1), point (45), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014, Article 3(1), point (20), of Regulation (EU) 2016/1011, and in the relevant provision of the Regulation on markets in crypto-assets, or the equivalent persons who effectively run the entity or have key functions in accordance with relevant Union or national law; to manage their risks and to comply with their legislative and regulatory requirements.