In the realm of cybersecurity, the landscape is ever-evolving, with physical and software supply chain risks playing a significant role in the threats faced by organizations. The modern world’s increasing interconnectedness and dependencies have paved the way for supply chain and partner risks that often go unnoticed until disruptive events occur.
According to data from Cyble and other sources, a substantial 40% or more of data breaches are supply-chain related. The complexities and interdependencies within software and physical supply chains make it challenging for organizations to stay ahead of potential risks. However, there are steps that companies can take to mitigate these risks and enhance their security posture.
In the year 2024, the software supply chain witnessed a significant evolution, particularly with the emergence of supply chain attacks like the SolarWinds and Kaseya breaches in 2020-2021. While software update hacks similar to the SolarWinds incident are rare, the extensive scope of software supply chain risks encompasses software, hardware, managed services, cloud services, and SaaS applications, all of which could introduce vulnerability risk.
IT vulnerabilities are highly sought after on dark web marketplaces due to their widespread impact. In 2024, dark web research conducted by Cyble highlighted the prevalence of IT and IT services companies as targets for cyber threats, surpassing other sectors significantly.
One notable example from 2024 was the Versa Director zero-day vulnerability, which despite having a limited number of vulnerable instances, led to downstream customer attacks. Additionally, the faulty CrowdStrike update affecting millions of Windows machines underscored the risky interdependencies present in the software supply chain.
Various incidents in 2024 highlighted the far-reaching implications of software supply chain threats, including the CDK cyberattack on North American car dealerships and the Snowflake breach affecting the data of numerous organizations. Even entities like CISA and MITRE were impacted by vulnerabilities within the software supply chain.
Open source software further compounds the software supply chain risk, emphasizing the importance of a software bill of materials (SBOM) as a protective measure against unknown vulnerabilities. Any ransomware or data breach that originates from a vulnerability exploit can be considered a software supply chain incident to some extent.
On the other hand, physical security risks are also a crucial aspect of supply chain management and other sectors, necessitating robust planning and risk management strategies. The rise in physical and geopolitical risks in recent years has heightened the need for better security measures and access control mechanisms.
Physical threat intelligence tools have emerged as effective solutions for monitoring and mitigating physical threats, regardless of their nature or location. By leveraging advanced algorithms and data analysis, these tools enable rapid responses to physical and supply chain risks, enhancing overall security.
To effectively control supply chain and physical risks, organizations can benefit from comprehensive threat intelligence platforms that offer features such as partner risk management. Implementing tools like SBOM and TPRM are essential for understanding and managing supply chain risks, while access control, configuration, and segmentation are crucial security controls.
Looking ahead to 2025, the cybersecurity landscape is poised for further volatility, with shifting global alliances and economic directions posing new challenges. The weaponization of AI by cybercriminals underscores the importance of AI-powered threat intelligence platforms for comprehensive protection against sophisticated cyber threats.
In conclusion, the evolving risks in software and physical supply chains demand proactive measures and robust security strategies to safeguard organizations against potential threats and disruptions. By staying vigilant and implementing effective risk management practices, businesses can navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape and protect their valuable assets.