Do your stakeholders have your back?: In today's digital landscape, the integrity of your business data hinges on more than just your internal systems. If your stakeholders don't have your back, your business isn't safe.

How Supply Chain Attacks Work

Supply chain attacks have become a prevalent threat in the cybersecurity realm. These attacks typically exploit vulnerabilities in the relationships between organisations and their vendors, partners, or suppliers. Here are some common techniques hackers use to compromise hardware and software within the supply chain:

1. Malware Insertion: Attackers often embed malicious code into software updates or patches from trusted suppliers, leading to widespread infections once the updates are deployed.
2. Phishing Attacks: Cybercriminals may impersonate trusted partners, sending deceptive emails to gain access to sensitive data or systems.
3. Vulnerability Exploitation: Attackers can take advantage of known vulnerabilities in third-party software, exploiting them to gain unauthorised access to networks and sensitive information.

Understanding these methods is crucial. Just because a vendor is trustworthy doesn’t mean they are immune to attack.

Case study: Solar Winds (2020)

The SolarWinds breach, discovered in December 2020, was a significant cyberattack where hackers inserted malicious code into updates of SolarWinds’ Orion software. This software is widely used for IT management by numerous organisations, including government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. The compromised updates were distributed to around 18,000 customers, allowing the attackers to gain access to sensitive systems and data. The breach went undetected for several months, highlighting vulnerabilities in supply chain security and prompting widespread concern and increased scrutiny of cybersecurity practices across various industries.