Skip to content

Understanding supply chain attacks: The growing threat to cyber security 


Published:
Supply chain

In today’s interconnected business world, companies depend on a vast network of suppliers, partners, and third-party vendors. While this boosts efficiency, it also opens the door to significant risks, such as supply chain attacks, which are growing in frequency and complexity. This makes understanding them even more crucial. 

What is a supply chain attack?

In a supply chain attack, cyber criminals target a company’s suppliers, partners, or other third-party vendors to gain unauthorized access to the company’s network and sensitive data. Rather than directly targeting the organization in mind, hackers take a detour, exploiting the trust established between an organization and its suppliers. 

These attacks involve a range of tactics, but they commonly follow a pattern: 

1. Targeting the supplier: Attackers identify a supplier or vendor that has a trusted relationship with the target company. This can be a software vendor, a cloud service provider, or even a hardware manufacturer. 

2. Compromising the supplier’s system: After gaining access to the supplier’s network, attackers introduce malware or exploit vulnerabilities in the supplier’s systems. Often, this malware is embedded within a legitimate software update or service that the supplier distributes. 

3. Distribution to the target organization: When the compromised software or service is delivered to the target organization, it carries the malicious code. Since the source is trusted, it often bypasses security controls. 

4. Executing an attack: Once the attackers have entered the target organization’s system, they can steal or lock data, engage in espionage, or disrupt operations – often while remaining undetected. 

The SolarWinds attack

One of the most infamous supply chain attacks was the IT company SolarWinds breach in 2020. In this case, attackers gained access to SolarWinds’ network and embedded malware into an update for their Orion software – a tool used for network management by many organizations, including government agencies and large Fortune 500 companies. When customers installed this update, they unintentionally opened a backdoor for attackers to access their systems. The result was a massive, widespread breach that highlighted the vulnerabilities in supply chains. 

The SolarWinds incident underscored how an attack against a single supplier could have catastrophic consequences for numerous organizations and placed the risk of supply chain attacks on the agenda for many companies.  

How to mitigate supply chain risks

While supply chain attacks are challenging to prevent, organizations can take proactive steps to reduce their risk: 

Conduct thorough vendor assessments 

Understanding the security practices of all third-party suppliers is essential. Regular assessments can ensure vendors meet security standards and identify potential vulnerabilities. 

Implement strict access controls  

Limiting access for third-party vendors reduces the potential attack surface. By only allowing necessary access, companies can minimize the risk of unauthorized presence. 

Monitor for suspicious activity  

Implementing network monitoring tools can help detect unusual activity that may indicate a supply chain attack. Look for indicators such as unexpected access attempts or sudden increases in data flow. 

Educate and train employees 

Regular training can help employees recognize signs of phishing and social engineering tactics, which are often used in the initial stages of supply chain attacks. 

At NTT Security we are committed to helping businesses secure their supply chains. Our SamurAI Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service is designed to help companies with expert security monitoring and detection, allowing them to focus on their core business activities. 

Contact us to learn how we can help protect your business from supply chain attacks. 

By taking proactive measures and remaining vigilant, we can collectively defend against cyber threats and safeguard sensitive data from exploitation. Let’s prioritize cybersecurity and work together to ensure a safer digital environment for all. Fill in the form and we’ll contact you.