In the world of cybersecurity, your network might be strong, but attackers don’t always knock on your front door. Instead, they often slip through the cracks and if you’re a vulnerable supplier or third-party partner you could be their next target.
In this article, we explain why you should strengthen your defences and share some tips that can help.
Why Weak Links Matter
Today’s organisations are part of complex, interconnected ecosystems that rely on countless vendors, cloud services, and software components. Each dependency, from hardware to shared tools, brings potential risk. It takes a single compromised supplier to open the gates to your entire operation like in the case of the recent Marks and Spencer cyber attack. And when visibility is low, the damage can be severe.
It has been reported that 80% of organisations with poor software supply chain visibility experienced a breach in the past year compared to just 6 % for those with high visibility.
Common Weak Links to Watch
- Third-Party Devices & Edge Hardware – Legacy firewalls, VPN appliances, or unpatched IoT devices that are often supplied and maintained externally, are prime targets for sophisticated attackers like Volt Typhoon.
- Software Dependencies: Open-source libraries, COTS software, or unverified code can carry hidden vulnerabilities or malicious payloads.
- Vendor Security Gaps: Smaller suppliers can lack mature cyber defences or struggle to enforce strong access controls.
Steps to Strengthen Your Chain
- Map Your Ecosystem – Inventory every third-party relationship (vendors, components, tools) and assess their potential access to your systems and data.
- Classify Suppliers by Risk – Prioritise suppliers based on their access and criticality. Focus your attention and scrutiny on those with the highest potential impact.
- Improve Visibility – Move from one-off assessments to continuous monitoring. Automate the tracking of vulnerabilities, leaked credentials, or changes in third-party environments.
- Prepare for the Unexpected – Build resilience with cyber-incident drills, redundancy plans, and supplier integration in your business continuity strategy.
- Strengthen Your Defences – Enhance internal monitoring, apply strict access policies, and enforce regular audits with third-party partners.
Your chain is only as strong as its weakest link, at Bridgeall, we specialise in helping organisations identify, monitor, and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities. Get in touch today to start building a resilient ecosystem that protects your business and empowers growth.
