How Secure is Your Supply Chain?

It seems like everything is connected to everything these days, doesn’t it? The software your business relies on certainly is I whether you installed that software locally or use it in the cloud.

The process that creates and delivers your software needs to be protected, and supply chain issues are now at the forefront of good cybersecurity. From the tools developers use to the way updates reach your computer, every step matters. A breach or vulnerability in any part of this chain can have severe consequences.

Just remember the global IT outage that occurred just a few months ago on July 18. This outage brought airlines, banks, and many other businesses to a standstill. The culprit turned out to be nothing more than an update from software supplier called CrowdStrike gone wrong. It turns out that the company was a link in a LOT of software supply chains, so when it went down, the others fell like dominoes. Ironically, this outage also affected Domino’s Pizza.

How can you avoid a similar supply chain-related issue when you’re dependent on third-party software? Let’s talk about why securing your software supply chain is absolutely essential.

1) Interdependence and Complexity are Increasing

Many Moving Parts

The software we use today relies on various components, including open-source libraries, third-party APIs, and cloud services. Each different component introduces its own potential vulnerabilities. If you don’t ensure the security of each part, you’ve ensured nothing. Protecting all is essential to maintaining system integrity.

Ongoing Integration and Deployment

It is now a now common practice to continuously integrate and deploy (CI/CD). These practices involve frequent updates and integrations of software. While this speeds up development, it also increases the risk of introducing vulnerabilities. Securing the CI/CD pipeline is crucial to prevent the introduction of malicious code.

2) The Increase of Cyber Threats

More Targeted Attacks

Just as a general will disrupt the enemy’s supply chain to weaken them on the battlefield, cybercriminals are increasingly attacking the entire software supply chain to get to their intended target. Attackers infiltrate trusted software to gain access to wider networks. This method is often more effective than direct attacks on well-defended systems.

Growing Sophistication of Strategies and Tactics

To successfully exploit supply chain vulnerabilities, attackers use increasingly sophisticated techniques, including advanced malware, zero-day exploits, and social engineering. The complexity of these attacks makes them difficult to detect and mitigate. A robust security posture is necessary for a solid defense.

Reputational and Financial Damage

Any attack that proves successful can result in significant financial and reputational damage. Companies may face regulatory fines, legal costs, and loss of customer trust. Recovering from a breach can be a lengthy and expensive process. And you don’t want to find out what happens when your customers lose trust in you. Proactively securing the supply chain helps avoid these costly consequences.

3. Compliances and Regulations

Compliance

Every business operates under compliance standards, and certain industries have more. Strict compliance standards for software security include regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Non-compliance can result in severe penalties. Ensuring supply chain security helps meet these regulatory requirements.

Exercise Vendor Risk Management

Your vendors are your supply chain, and regulations often require robust vendor risk management. Companies must ensure that their suppliers adhere to security best practices. This includes assessing and monitoring vendor security measures. A secure supply chain involves verifying that all partners meet compliance standards.

Continuous Data Protection

Data protection and privacy are often at the heart of regulations. Securing the supply chain helps protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. This is especially important for industries like finance and healthcare. In these industries, data breaches can have serious consequences.

4) Ensure Business Continuity

Prevent Disruptions

There may be a few ways you can face disruptions to your business operations, but securing your supply chain can prevent disruptions from that quarter. Cyber-attacks can lead to downtime, impacting productivity and revenue. Ensuring the integrity of the supply chain minimizes the risk of operational disruptions.

Maintain Trust

A breach can erode trust and damage business relationships. Customers and partners expect secure and reliable software. By securing the supply chain, companies can maintain the trust of their stakeholders.

How to protect the supply chain?

Strong Authentication

Just as you should in all digital areas in which you operate, strong authentication methods are crucial for all components of the supply chain, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and secure access controls. Ensure that only authorized personnel can access critical systems and data.

Continuously Update

This is just sound cybersecurity advice for every aspect of your business. By keeping all software components patched and updated, you don’t allow vulnerabilities to develop. It’s wise that you don’t do all systems at once. Apply patches and updates to a few systems first. If those systems aren’t negatively affected, then roll out the update more widely.

Regular Security Audits

Conduct regular security audits of the supply chain, which involves assessing the security measures of all vendors and partners. Identify and address any weaknesses or gaps in security practices. Audits help ensure ongoing compliance with security standards.

Adopt Secure Development Practices

Secure development practices reduce vulnerabilities, so if these practices are not in place, establish them ASAP. This includes code reviews, static analysis, and penetration testing. Ensure that security is integrated into the development lifecycle from the start.

Threat Monitoring

Threat monitoring needs to be continuous to spot risks and anomalies. Use tools like intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security information and event management (SIEM) systems. Monitoring helps detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.

Ongoing Security Awareness Training 

Include your supply chain in your ongoing Security Awareness Training. This includes developers, IT personnel, and management. Awareness and training help ensure that everyone understands their role in maintaining security.