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Your supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link

28 Apr

Time is money

Manufacturing runs like a well-oiled machine, until something disrupts the supply chain. Your raw materials arrive on time and in the right quantities, your teams are working hard and production lines are running at full speed. Everything functions smoothly, keeps operations flowing and deliveries on track.

But if something goes wrong at point A, it often sends shockwaves all the way to point Z. This heavy interdependence makes the industry a prime target. It’s not just the high value of goods and capital that attracts cybercriminals. It’s the fact that any delay comes at a serious cost.

When ransomware brings machinery to a halt, production stops in its tracks and revenue disappears almost instantly. Downtime simply isn’t an option in this sector. Cybercriminals know this. And they exploit it. In an industry where every second counts, companies are often more willing to pay up to avoid further financial fallout.

Cybercriminals are chasing gold. And in this case your supply chain is the jackpot

Modern attackers no longer focus solely on your organisation, they target your entire supply chain. That means the blast radius of a cyberattack can be much larger than before. In some cases, your business might become collateral damage, the unintended victim of a breach elsewhere in the chain. But increasingly, cybercriminals deliberately target your suppliers, partners or vendors (often the weakest point in the system) to get to your crown jewels.

Here are three common ways your supply chain could be exposed to a cyberattack:

1. Your supplier falls victim

In 2021, Albert Heijn (a major Dutch supermarket chain) faced empty cheese shelves for days. Why? Its supplier, Bakker Logistiek, was hacked and could no longer access its systems. As a result, their delivery trucks couldn’t operate. This incident highlights just how deeply connected systems are, and how a breach in one link of the chain can ripple outward. It can affect suppliers, customers, and even end users. One hack can trigger a domino effect across an entire industry.

2. Your IT service provider gets breached

Many businesses rely on third-party providers for inventory systems, HR software, or planning tools. But what happens when one of them is compromised? If their systems are integrated with yours, an attack on their side could easily spread to your infrastructure. A single click on a malicious link or a missing security patch could open the door for attackers to access your data.

3. Outdated systems and applications

Still using Windows 7? Or running an application that hasn’t been updated in years? Legacy systems that aren’t maintained properly are a goldmine for hackers. Take Kaseya in 2021: a vulnerability in their software enabled cybercriminals to access data from multiple companies around the world. Neglected systems are low-hanging fruit for attackers.

The weakest link? People

Beyond outdated systems and technical flaws, human error remains the single biggest risk, accounting for 68% of cyber incidents (Verizon, 2024). From falling for phishing scams to mishandling data, people often unwittingly open the door to cyber threats. That’s why security awareness training is so important. Teach your staff to recognise threats. Raise awareness. Help them understand the risks, and how to stay vigilant in the face of them.