Cybersecurity: how to protect yourself from cyber risks linked to the supply chain?

To become more resilient, companies are increasingly focusing on cybersecurity risks. This applies to their entire supply chain, including their suppliers. Cybercriminal attacks are increasing against supply chains, targeting the smallest vulnerabilities.

In addition to damaging the company’s image, they lead to significant costs that can weaken the entire system in place. It becomes essential to adopt the necessary security practices and measures to counter these threats in compliance with standards.

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Supply Chain Cybersecurity Risks

To promote its proper functioning, the supply chain involves interconnection with all the company’s partners. All actors in the chain are concerned. Thus, suppliers, subcontractors and service providers share data within a common system. However, this interconnected network represents a high risk for security.

Numerous studies highlight that supply chains are the main targets of cybersecurity attacks . These are usually the result of security failures of companies or their suppliers. With threats constantly increasing on the supply chain, it is necessary to put in place the necessary systems to fill the vulnerabilities. Managing the risk posed by cybercriminals has become a major challenge for all logistics services. It is now essential to improve the protection of each part of the supply chain.

Hardware and software are one of the weak points for companies . With different protocols from one actor in the chain to another, they offer security holes to hackers. This is why the majority of cybersecurity attacks target the software of a service provider or supplier to reach the company.

The main targets are:

Software with security vulnerabilities on the supply chain network;

IoT objects, payment terminals and network equipment sharing data on the system;

Certificates intended for signing applications;

In-house code and development

While cybersecurity attacks are numerous and varied, it is not impossible to limit their risks. To better protect the supply chain of companies, it is recommended to opt for proactive cybersecurity management . It is therefore necessary to coordinate the needs of each player in the chain. The systems put in place can then help reduce risks and costs in the long term.

Creating a Cybersecurity Risk Management Process

First and foremost, companies must identify the weak points in their supply chain. It is recommended to start by correcting the simplest and most obvious vulnerabilities in the network to limit the risk of attacks.

It is also necessary to assess the level of cybersecurity of suppliers, service providers and other actors in the chain. Measuring the potential risk of each allows a company to anticipate the impact of an attack by cybercriminals from their system.

Depending on the risk level of the suppliers, the company can implement higher security controls . This helps compartmentalize potential vulnerabilities to safeguard the rest of the supply chain.

To test its cybersecurity systems, a company can run scenarios by simulating hacker attacks. Simulations allow you to better measure vulnerabilities from the services of your suppliers and other service providers.

Technological tools against cyber attacks

Software control is imperative throughout the supply chain. To limit attacks, companies must establish a rigorous policy for the integrity of code applications. A control platform or an SSO authentication mechanism will ensure that only authorized software is executed .

Systems also exist to detect security vulnerabilities exploited on the supply chain network. An endpoint detection and response solution is designed to spot any suspicious activity. It then allows them to be corrected in real time to stem attacks by cybercriminals.

To prevent data leakage or denial of service, companies must ensure that they perform regular and effective backups. It is also recommended to carry out frequent tests of software and equipment reinstallation.

Informing and raising awareness among supply chain stakeholders

Reliable security systems throughout the supply chain are essential to counter threats. Companies must therefore encourage their partners to avoid vulnerabilities and flaws. The same goes for the software developers they use.

Infrastructure security also plays an important role. This is particularly the case for the management of updates and data exchanges, which are frequently targeted by hackers.

Internally, raising awareness among employees in the company’s supply chain contributes to a better level of protection . Whether it’s software, data, architecture or other, each employee is a potential vulnerability for cybersecurity. Greater knowledge of the threats and the best security practices to be implemented is essential.

Training in secure digital tools and crisis management is highly recommended. In the event of a cybersecurity attack, a protocol must be put in place to better protect the supply chain network.

Organizations across all industries are facing cybersecurity risk in their supply chain. Many companies have been victims of various attacks and security breaches.

A cybersecurity risk management program is necessary to consolidate the protection of the entire supply chain. It concerns all the players that make it up. This involves strengthening the level of security of equipment and software, as well as adopting good practices.