Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM)

Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) is a process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks associated with the distributed and interconnected nature of IT/OT product and service supply chains. The NIST Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) program helps organizations in managing the increasing risk of supply chain compromise related to cybersecurity, whether intentional or unintentional.

The C-SCRM program involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks associated with the distributed and interconnected nature of ICT/OT product and service supply chains. It covers the entire life cycle of a system, including design, development, distribution, deployment, acquisition, maintenance, and destruction.

The factors that allow for low-cost interoperability, rapid innovation, a variety of product features, and other benefits also increase the risk of a compromise to the supply chain, which may result in risks to the end user. Managing cybersecurity risks in supply chains requires ensuring the integrity, security, quality, and resilience of the supply chain and its products and services. Risks may include the insertion of counterfeits, unauthorized production, tampering, theft, insertion of malicious software and hardware, as well as poor manufacturing and development practices in the cybersecurity-related elements of the supply chain.

To manage these risks, organizations can follow the following steps:

1. Identify the cyber supply chain.
2. Understand cyber supply chain risk.
3. Set cybersecurity expectations.
4. Audit for compliance.
5. Monitor and improve cyber supply chain security practices.

The NIST Cybersecurity SCRM Fact Sheet provides more information on the topic. The document offers a set of Key Practices that any organization can use to manage cybersecurity risks associated with their supply chains. The multidisciplinary approach to managing these types of risks is called Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM).

In conclusion, Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management is an essential process that organizations should implement to manage the increasing risk of supply chain compromise related to cybersecurity. By following the steps mentioned above, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with the distributed and interconnected nature of ICT/OT product and service supply chains.