Hidden Dangers in Third-Party Supply Chain

 

A supply chain attack refers to any cyberattack targeting a third-party vendor within an organization’s supply chain. Historically, these attacks have exploited trust relationships, aiming to breach larger organizations by compromising smaller, less secure suppliers.

The Growing Threat of Software Supply Chain Attacks

While traditional supply chain attacks remain a concern, the software supply chain poses an even greater threat. Modern development practices rely heavily on third-party components, including APIs, open-source software, and proprietary products, creating vulnerabilities across multiple systems.

In the event of a security breach, the integrity of these systems can be compromised. A recent study highlights that many vulnerabilities in digital systems go unnoticed, exposing businesses to significant risks. Increased reliance on third-party software and complex supply chains has expanded the threat landscape beyond internal assets to external dependencies.

Key Findings from the 2024 State of External Exposure Management Report

The 2024 State of External Exposure Management Report underscores several critical vulnerabilities: