Digitalization has radically transformed supply chains, but it has also exposed them to a new type of threat: cyber-attacks. Today's interconnectedness, which offers us so many advantages, has also made them a favorite target for cybercriminals. A failure, however small, in the digital supply chain can have devastating effects for the entire organization, disrupting operations, damaging the company's image and causing financial losses that can be astronomical. Supply chain security has gone from being a secondary concern to a strategic priority for any company operating in today's digital environment. 

The rise (not glorious) of Supply Chain attacks: 

Supply chain attacks have grown like weeds in recent years. Various studies, such as the analyses conducted by Xygeni in its whitepaper "Understanding Software Supply Chain Attacks" and Verizon's Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), point to a steady increase in these types of cyberattacks. In particular, Xygeni highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence-driven cyber threats as a factor increasing risk in software supply chains. Verizon's DBIR reports, meanwhile, provide a comprehensive analysis of cybersecurity trends, including third-party and supply chain attacks, showing a persistent and growing threat over the years. Attackers seek to exploit vulnerabilities in third parties - software, hardware or service providers - to sneak into the targeted company's network. Such attacks, which are often more difficult to catch and neutralize than direct attacks, can have a much wider reach and affect a considerable number of organizations. If not, recall the SolarWinds attack in 2020, which demonstrated the enormous ability of cybercriminals to put a wide network of companies in check through a software vendor they all used. This incident opened everyone's eyes to the need for a truly robust supply chain security strategy. 

Key strategies for shielding the digital supply chain: 

Shielding the digital supply chain requires a multi-pronged approach, from risk assessment to the implementation of truly effective security controls. Some strategies that we can consider key are: 

• Thorough third-party risk assessment: We cannot rely on the word of suppliers alone. Ideally, we should conduct comprehensive security audits to assess their cybersecurity practices and ensure they meet minimum standards. And, of course, this includes assessing their software supply chain security. 

• Implement Zero Trust: The Zero Trust model, which is based on the idea that no one, neither users nor devices, can be trusted 100%, is especially useful in the supply chain context. Implementing Zero Trust architecture minimizes potential damage even if a supplier is compromised, as it restricts lateral movement within the network. 

• Software development security (DevSecOps): integrating security into all phases of the software development lifecycle, from design to implementation to maintenance, is critical to prevent vulnerabilities from creeping into the code. Software supply chain security benefits greatly from DevSecOps practices.

• Continuous monitoring and anomaly detection: having monitoring tools in place to detect suspicious activity on the network and supplier systems is crucial. Catching things in time is fundamental to reduce the impact of an attack. Continuous security monitoring is, without a doubt, an indispensable ally. 

• Collaboration and information sharing: encouraging the exchange of threat information between companies and their suppliers can be a very powerful tool for preventing attacks.

• Employee training and awareness: employees, whether we like it or not, are often the most vulnerable point in the security chain. That is why it is essential to provide them with ongoing cybersecurity training and to make them aware of the dangers lurking in the supply chain. Cybersecurity training for employees is an investment, not an expense. 

• Identity and Access Management (IAM): tightly controlling identities and access, applying the principle of least privilege, helps limit damage if an attacker gets hold of a vendor's credentials. 

Let's not forget that supply chain security is a shared responsibility. Companies must work hand in hand with their suppliers to establish common security standards and ensure that best practices are adhered to. This is the only way to open up the opportunity to transform what has traditionally been a weak point into a true cyber strength, protecting businesses and their reputation in a digital environment that poses new challenges every day.  

Cybersecurity for the supply chain should be at the top of the agenda for any manager who understands the risks we face today.