Understanding "Supply Chain" Cyber Security Risks - with Lord

Thoughts from Mark Doherty

A supply chain is a vast network of trading relationships essential for delivering products, systems and services. However, these chains are often complex, making it difficult to ensure adequate cyber security protections. The UK Government’s Cyber Security Strategy (2022–2030) highlights the increasing risk in this area and aims to enhance resilience against cyber threats.

The growing threat

Cyber-attacks targeting supply chains have surged, leading to severe financial and operational consequences. Attackers exploit vulnerabilities within suppliers to compromise software, hardware and services before they even reach the intended organisation.

A prime example is Dragonfly, a group that “trojanised” legitimate Industrial Control System (ICS) software by infiltrating suppliers’ websites and replacing authentic files with malware-infected versions. Once downloaded, these compromised files granted remote access to attackers, posing serious security risks.

Watering hole attacks

One common supply chain attack is the watering hole attack. Where cybercriminals compromise websites frequently visited by their target audience, such as those in government, healthcare or defence sectors. The infected site then delivers malware designed to exploit security weaknesses in the victim’s systems.

Strengthening your defences

Look to adopt proactive security measures, such as:

• Supplier risk assessments - Vetting third-party providers for cyber security practices.
• Threat intelligence sharing - Collaborating with industry peers to stay ahead of emerging threats.
• Zero-trust architecture - Ensuring continuous verification of all users and devices.
• Regular software updates - Mitigating vulnerabilities by applying patches promptly

How can we assist?

Lord Search and Selection provide highly skilled cyber security professionals to help businesses secure their supply chains, mitigate risks and respond to threats effectively.

Whether you need experts for risk assessments, security monitoring, or incident response. We connect you with the right talent to strengthen your defences.

Supply chain cyber security is no longer optional, it’s essential. Strengthening defences today can prevent costly breaches and protect critical systems in the future.