As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to attacks. Given the large and complex nature of supply chains, securing them effectively can be challenging, with ongoing risks of vulnerabilities and insufficient protection.
These attacks can have costly and long term damage to a business and its customers. The UK is particularly ripe for cybercrime, making it even more important to prioritise and implement robust cybersecurity measures. Without proper defences, supply chains across the country remain vulnerable to attacks.
Key cybersecurity threats to supply chains
There are many ways cybercriminals can threaten your supply chain, some of these include:
- Phishing attacks
Phishing attacks are deceptive attempts to obtain sensitive information by posing as a trustworthy entity within the supply chain. These attacks typically take the form of emails, messages, or websites that seem legitimate but are designed to steal data or gain unauthorised access. If successful, the attacker can access information belonging to the supplier that could lead to huge financial losses, affect customers, and potentially impact operational integrity.
- Ransomware attacks
Due to their interconnected structure and dependence on timely data exchange, supply chains are often targeted by ransomware attackers. These attacks have grown more advanced as attackers encrypt critical data and demand ransom payments in return. If ransoms are not paid, this causes disruption of operations, financial losses, and potential data leaks.
- Data breaches
Breaches present a major risk to supply chains by exposing sensitive customer data and financial records. Cybercriminals look for vulnerabilities within a supply chain to gain unauthorised access and steal valuable data. A data breach in the supply chain can lead to severe consequences such as operational delays, financial losses, and the exposure of sensitive information. Customers may also lose trust if this happens, which can affect the supplier's reputation and business relationships.
- Third-party vulnerabilities
The involvement of numerous external parties in supply chains presents a big cyber risk. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access to sensitive data or deploy malware within the supply chain network, often targeting the less protected systems of contractors and subcontractors to achieve their objectives.
- Insider threats
Employees with malicious intent can leverage their access to critical systems and information to steal, sabotage or leak sensitive data, potentially causing severe damage to a supply chain. These threats can result in financial losses, operational disruptions and damage to a business's reputation, as unauthorised access or deliberate tampering with data can undermine the integrity and security of the entire supply chain network.
How to protect your supply chain from cyberattacks
1. Employee training
Regularly train all levels of employees to identify any cyber threat. This thorough training should include recognising suspicious activities, understanding the impact of breaches and following the correct procedures for reporting potential threats.
To ensure knowledge retention within your teams, consider conducting various methods of training such as workshops, webinars or bite-sized courses relevant to each different role for maximum employee engagement.
2. Secure your network
Multi-factor authentication means that to access software or conduct a transaction, at least one more means of personal verification is needed.
This could be as simple as entering a memorable word or using a passcode from a text message or dedicated App. By using strong authentication methods like this, you can protect access to critical information and valuable data.
Additionally, be cautious with software that isn’t company-wide or is installed on mobile devices. Regular security patches are issued to address vulnerabilities and failing to apply these updates can leave your systems exposed to cyberattacks. Software updates are important not only for system speed but also for protection against cyber threats.
3. Conduct regular audits
Conducting regular audits of internal systems and third-party vendors is essential for mitigating cyberattack risks. This process allows for identifying and prioritising vulnerabilities that attackers may target within your supply chain.
Implementing these measures can help reduce the risk of cyberattacks and protect your supply from the potentially devastating consequences of a security breach. Internal assessments should focus on evaluating network configurations, system permissions, and the effectiveness of current security measures.
It's crucial for third-party vendors to assess their cybersecurity practices, data protection policies, and risk management strategies. This evaluation may involve reviewing their security certifications, performing vulnerability assessments, and ensuring their practices meet your security standards.
4. Encrypt your data
Encrypting data is key for keeping sensitive information safe in your supply chain and protecting it from cyberattacks. It adds a strong layer of security that helps guard your data from different threats, ensures you meet regulatory compliance requirements and improves the overall security of your supply chain.
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