In an increasingly interconnected business world, your organisation's cyber security is only as strong as its weakest link—and more often than not, that link lies in your supply chain making it your biggest cyber risk. A recent article by Nexus Open Systems highlights a growing concern: while many businesses focus on securing their own networks, third-party suppliers and partners are becoming prime targets for cyber criminals.
The Supply Chain Threat Landscape
Modern supply chains are built on trust and collaboration, but this very interconnectedness also creates risk. Suppliers often have access to sensitive systems, data, and infrastructure. If one supplier suffers a cyber breach, it can quickly cascade through the chain, affecting multiple organisations.
The 2023 MOVEit file transfer attack is a stark example. This zero-day exploit impacted not only the core platform but also dozens of businesses and government agencies using it to transfer sensitive data. It demonstrated how a single point of vulnerability in a third-party product can compromise entire networks—even when an organisation’s own cyber defences are strong.
Why Supply Chain Attacks Are Growing
As Nexus rightly points out, cyber criminals are shifting their tactics. Instead of directly targeting well-protected organisations, they are increasingly attacking smaller suppliers with fewer resources and lower defences. These suppliers often hold keys to critical infrastructure, credentials, or privileged access—making them ideal entry points.
Additionally, many organisations don’t have clear visibility of their extended supply chain or how secure those partners really are. This lack of oversight, coupled with trust-based access, gives attackers a wider surface to exploit.
How to Strengthen Your Supply Chain Resilience
To protect against third-party risks, businesses must go beyond internal defences and start building resilience throughout the entire supply chain.
Here are practical steps every organisation should take:
Map Your Supply Chain
Start by identifying who your suppliers are, what systems or data they access, and how critical they are to your operations.
Assess Third-Party Risk
Carry out regular security assessments of key suppliers. Look for clear evidence of cyber security controls—such as Cyber Essentials certification—and ask about their incident response capabilities.
Include Security in Contracts
Contracts should clearly define security responsibilities, reporting requirements, and your right to audit or request evidence of security practices.
Limit Access and Permissions
Apply the principle of least privilege. Suppliers should only have access to the systems and data they need to deliver their services.
Monitor for Suspicious Activity
Monitor supplier access and use threat detection tools to spot unusual activity. The earlier you identify a breach, the faster you can contain it.
Test Your Supply Chain Incident Response Plan
Your incident response plan should account for the possibility of a third-party breach. Practice how your team would respond if a supplier were compromised.
Why This Matters Now
As highlighted by Nexus, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) continues to warn about rising supply chain risk. As organisations become more reliant on outsourced services, SaaS platforms, and cloud providers, supply chain security is no longer optional—it’s critical.
Regulators also expect businesses to carry out due diligence across their entire supply chain. Failing to do so could mean financial penalties, reputational harm, or even legal consequences.
If your organisation depends on third-party providers—as most do—now is the time to ensure your defences extend beyond your perimeter.
Thank you to Nexus Open Systems for bringing attention to this critical topic. You can read their full article here.