What is a Supply Chain Attack?

Supply Chain Attack

A supply chain attack is a type of cyber attack that targets vulnerabilities in the supply chain to gain access to a larger, more secure system or network.

Rather than attacking the primary target directly, attackers compromise third-party vendors, service providers, or software dependencies that are trusted by the target organisation.

This can lead to widespread consequences, as the attacker infiltrates through the weakest link in the chain. Notable examples include the SolarWinds attack and NotPetya, where software updates from compromised vendors were used to deliver malware.

To protect against supply chain attacks, organisations must assess the security posture of their suppliers and partners, implement stringent vetting processes, and ensure that third-party software and services are regularly updated and monitored for vulnerabilities.