Are you aware of the cyber security protocols businesses in your supply chain have in place to prevent threats? When was the last time you checked? For businesses in Essex, modern supply chains offer connections that fuel growth and efficiency. However, they also introduce serious cyber security risks.
Supply chain attacks don’t just affect the business that was initially targeted; they spread throughout the connection to impact all linked businesses. Let’s explore more about supply chains before delving into the hidden vulnerabilities, a recent example of an attack, and how you can keep your Essex business protected.
Understanding the Supply Chain
A supply chain includes every external party involved in delivering a product or service. This means manufacturers, service providers, software platforms, hardware suppliers, logistics partners, and consultants. Every one of these relationships adds potential entry points for cybercriminals to exploit.
Even if one link in your supply chain is compromised, your whole business could be affected by data breaches, operational downtime, and reputational damage. Avoiding this is critical. Let’s look at where there could be vulnerabilities within your supply chain.
The Hidden Vulnerabilities in Your Supply Chain
Supply chains are known to become incredibly complex and interconnected, usually involving dozens, potentially even hundreds, of external partners. Although there are many benefits to this level of collaboration, it also expands the attack surface for cyber threats. One weak link is all it needs for a cybercriminal to infiltrate your systems.
The most common vulnerabilities stem from poor security practices among suppliers or service providers. These can include:
- Outdated software and unpatched systems: Many suppliers may delay critical updates, leaving systems exposed to known vulnerabilities that hackers are quick to exploit.
- Lack of security standards or certifications: Not all third parties follow best practices like ISO 27001 or Cyber Essentials, increasing the risk of a breach.
- Inadequate access controls: If a supplier has more access to your systems than necessary, or if their credentials are not properly managed, your business data could be compromised.
- Weak credentials and poor authentication: Vendors who don’t enforce strong passwords or multi-factor authentication (MFA) can unknowingly act as a gateway for attackers.
- Unsecured application interfaces (APIs): APIs are commonly used to connect systems, but if not properly secured, they can allow unauthorised access to sensitive data.
In a recent update to their supply chain guidance, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) highlight that just over one in ten businesses review the risks posed by their immediate suppliers (equating to 13%). This indicates the significant potential of vulnerabilities within supply chains being left for criminals to exploit. It’s crucial to assess and manage supplier risks as part of your wider cyber security strategy to keep your business as safe as possible.
MOVEit Hack, 2023
In May 2023, a ransomware group began exploiting a vulnerability within MOVEit Transfer, a widely used file transfer solution. As covered in this article, this attack saw data stolen from government and public businesses globally, including a UK-based HR company with clients like British Airways and the BBC – many of which were unaware they even used MOVEit because their suppliers did.
This cyber-attack impacted over 2000 organisations worldwide, with data thefts affecting more than 62 million people. This example serves as a powerful reminder that even indirect partnerships can introduce serious risk.
How to Protect Your Essex Business from Supply Chain Cyber Threats
Now that we’ve covered an example of a large-scale supply chain attack, let’s look at what your business can do to stay protected.
- Vet Your Vendors: Carry out due diligence on every supplier you work with. Make sure you know about their cyber security policies, how often they conduct risk assessments, and what defences they have in place.
- Monitor Third-Party Access: Restrict the access your suppliers have, so they can only access the systems and data they need. Ensure this through implementing role-based access controls and ensure connections are consistently monitored and logged.
- Keep Software Updated: Make sure to regularly apply patches and updates to your own systems and any third-party integrations. Vulnerabilities like the MOVEit bug often come from outdated software.
- Have an Incident Response Plan: If something does go wrong, you need a disaster recovery Know how you’ll contain the breach, who you’ll notify, and how you’ll recover.
- Work with a Trusted IT Partner: Partner with an IT expert, like us at Virtual IT, who can support your business in preventing malicious threats.
Virtual IT: Defending Against Supply Chain Threats in Essex
Proactive IT support in Essex helps businesses remain ahead of supply chain threats and attacks. At Virtual IT, our team ensures businesses across the county identify weak links, secure third-party access, and monitor activity to stop breaches before they happen. With our comprehensive IT services in Essex, your business can benefit from:
- Risk assessments tailored to your supply chain
- Vendor cyber audits and compliance checks
- Endpoint protection and monitoring
- Cloud and software patching
- Backup and disaster recovery plans
Ready to Strengthen Your Supply Chain Defences?
Supply chain cyber security is one of the biggest risks facing businesses in Essex today. With threats like the MOVEit breach making headlines, now is the time to act. By understanding the risks, taking proactive steps, and partnering with an experienced IT provider, you can dramatically reduce your chances of being the next victim.
Contact us today for expert IT support in Essex and to learn how our tailored IT services can keep your business secure, resilient, and ahead of threats.
