Supply chain attacks: how to prevent them?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:37 am
Cybersecurity is a critical concern as organizations increasingly rely on technology and digital services in their operations. One growing and sophisticated threat that has come to the fore in recent years is supply chain attacks, also known as supply chain attacks.
In our article today, you will discover what spain mobile database chain attacks are, how they work, and what measures can be taken to prevent and mitigate these threats.Continue reading and check it out!
What are supply chain attacks?
Supply chain attacks are a class of cyberattacks that focus on compromising the integrity and security of products or services during their production, distribution, or maintenance. These attacks exploit the trust that consumers, businesses, and governments place in suppliers and the supply chain by introducing malicious elements or vulnerabilities into products or services .
These threats can take many forms, from embedding malware in software or hardware to hijacking software update systems. The insidious nature of these attacks makes them particularly difficult to detect and can result in devastating consequences, such as data leaks, compromise of critical systems, and even large-scale espionage.
So that you can get an idea of the scale of the problem in question, it is worth remembering aPUBLISHED ARTICLEfor theTHE HACKabout an attack that occurred two years ago at the technology companyKASEYA. According to the article, Fred Voccola, CEO ofKASEYA, commented:“Of the estimated 800,000 to 1 million small local businesses that are managed by Kaseya customers , ‘only’ about 800 to 1,500 were compromised . ”
Although Voccola wants to appear frivolous, an attack like this is extremely serious, especially for a technology company like this, and it also has serious consequences, both for the affected customers and for the company itself.
How do supply chain attacks work?
Supply chain attacks represent a sophisticated threat where attackers target the weakest links in the supply chain to compromise the integrity and security of products or services .
Check out the series of steps these attacks involve below!
1 – Target selection
Attackers choose strategic targets, typically organizations that produce high-value products or services . This can include software developers, hardware manufacturers, electronic component suppliers, or even providers of critical services such as industrial control systems.
Read also: Tips to avoid cyber attacks in companies
2 – Supply chain infiltration
Attackers look for ways to infiltrate the supply chain by identifying weaknesses along the way. This can involve a variety of tactics, including:
2.1 – Supplier invasion
Attackers may target suppliers or subcontractors who have access to the products or services in question. They look for weaknesses in the security of these partners to gain access.
2.2 – Commitment of third parties
Third-party suppliers and subcontractors that are part of the supply chain can also be targets. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in their operations to introduce malicious elements.
2.3 – Attacks on internal employees
Attackers may target internal employees of the organization or supply chain partners to gain privileged access.
3 – Compromise of products or services
Once attackers have access to the supply chain, they seek to compromise the products or services . This can be achieved in a number of ways, including:
3.1 – Malware injection
Attackers can insert malware or ransomware into products , which can remain dormant until activated at a specific time.
Read also: Ransomware: What are the dangers for companies?
3.2 – Inclusion of backdoors
They can embed backdoors into products or services , allowing unauthorized access after deployment.
3.3 – Deliberate vulnerabilities
Attackers can deliberately introduce vulnerabilities that make products or services more susceptible to attack.
Read also: Vulnerability Analysis: Why is it important?
3.4 – Unauthorized modification
They can change the source code, settings or components without the approval or knowledge of the manufacturers.
4 – Malicious distribution
Compromised products or services are then distributed to consumers, businesses or organizations, who often rely on the integrity of the supply chain. This distribution may occur through sales channels, software updates or other delivery methods.
5 – Exploration and attack
Once compromised products or services are deployed , attackers can exploit the introduced vulnerabilities to perform malicious activities. This may include:
5.1 – Data theft
Attackers can extract sensitive information from attacked systems.
5.2 – Systems control
They can gain control over critical systems such as IT infrastructure or industrial control systems.
5.3 – Espionage and monitoring
Attackers can conduct large-scale espionage, collecting information or monitoring actions of interest.
How to prevent and mitigate supply chain attacks?
Preventing and mitigating supply chain attacks requires a proactive, multi-faceted approach since, as you learned above, attacks can affect multiple stages of the logistics process.
Check out the main technical strategies to prevent and mitigate these threats below!
1 – Supplier and partner assessment
Conduct a detailed cybersecurity assessment of all suppliers and partners in the supply chain. This should include reviewing security practices, security history, and regulatory compliance.
2 – Restricted access control
Implement strict access control policies to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to critical systems and confidential information.
Read also: 4 Advantages of an access centralizer for your company
3 – Product/service integrity
Use integrity checking mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to products or services as they move through the supply chain.
4 – Digital signatures and certificates
Use digital signatures and certificates to verify the authenticity of software and firmware, ensuring that the code has not been tampered with during distribution.
5 – Continuous monitoring
Implement continuous monitoring systems to detect suspicious behavior or activity in products and services after deployment.
6 – Penetration testing
Perform regular penetration testing on critical products and systems to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do.
7 – Training and awareness
Educate and train employees at all levels of the organization on supply chain threats and security best practices.
8 – Cooperation with suppliers
Maintain close collaboration with vendors and partners to share security information and foster a culture of cybersecurity.
Want to prevent attacks on your business? Count on TND Brasil's help!
Now that you have reached the end of our article, you already know that prioritizing the security of your supply chain against cyber attacks is essential to avoid greater consequences for your business and, especially, for your customers .
Therefore, we invite you to get to know all thePRODUCTSandSERVICESthat theTND BRAZILcan offer to your company, aiming at the total security of your network, your equipment and, of course, your information.CONTACT USand speak to one of our consultants today!
In our article today, you will discover what spain mobile database chain attacks are, how they work, and what measures can be taken to prevent and mitigate these threats.Continue reading and check it out!
What are supply chain attacks?
Supply chain attacks are a class of cyberattacks that focus on compromising the integrity and security of products or services during their production, distribution, or maintenance. These attacks exploit the trust that consumers, businesses, and governments place in suppliers and the supply chain by introducing malicious elements or vulnerabilities into products or services .
These threats can take many forms, from embedding malware in software or hardware to hijacking software update systems. The insidious nature of these attacks makes them particularly difficult to detect and can result in devastating consequences, such as data leaks, compromise of critical systems, and even large-scale espionage.
So that you can get an idea of the scale of the problem in question, it is worth remembering aPUBLISHED ARTICLEfor theTHE HACKabout an attack that occurred two years ago at the technology companyKASEYA. According to the article, Fred Voccola, CEO ofKASEYA, commented:“Of the estimated 800,000 to 1 million small local businesses that are managed by Kaseya customers , ‘only’ about 800 to 1,500 were compromised . ”
Although Voccola wants to appear frivolous, an attack like this is extremely serious, especially for a technology company like this, and it also has serious consequences, both for the affected customers and for the company itself.
How do supply chain attacks work?
Supply chain attacks represent a sophisticated threat where attackers target the weakest links in the supply chain to compromise the integrity and security of products or services .
Check out the series of steps these attacks involve below!
1 – Target selection
Attackers choose strategic targets, typically organizations that produce high-value products or services . This can include software developers, hardware manufacturers, electronic component suppliers, or even providers of critical services such as industrial control systems.
Read also: Tips to avoid cyber attacks in companies
2 – Supply chain infiltration
Attackers look for ways to infiltrate the supply chain by identifying weaknesses along the way. This can involve a variety of tactics, including:
2.1 – Supplier invasion
Attackers may target suppliers or subcontractors who have access to the products or services in question. They look for weaknesses in the security of these partners to gain access.
2.2 – Commitment of third parties
Third-party suppliers and subcontractors that are part of the supply chain can also be targets. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in their operations to introduce malicious elements.
2.3 – Attacks on internal employees
Attackers may target internal employees of the organization or supply chain partners to gain privileged access.
3 – Compromise of products or services
Once attackers have access to the supply chain, they seek to compromise the products or services . This can be achieved in a number of ways, including:
3.1 – Malware injection
Attackers can insert malware or ransomware into products , which can remain dormant until activated at a specific time.
Read also: Ransomware: What are the dangers for companies?
3.2 – Inclusion of backdoors
They can embed backdoors into products or services , allowing unauthorized access after deployment.
3.3 – Deliberate vulnerabilities
Attackers can deliberately introduce vulnerabilities that make products or services more susceptible to attack.
Read also: Vulnerability Analysis: Why is it important?
3.4 – Unauthorized modification
They can change the source code, settings or components without the approval or knowledge of the manufacturers.
4 – Malicious distribution
Compromised products or services are then distributed to consumers, businesses or organizations, who often rely on the integrity of the supply chain. This distribution may occur through sales channels, software updates or other delivery methods.
5 – Exploration and attack
Once compromised products or services are deployed , attackers can exploit the introduced vulnerabilities to perform malicious activities. This may include:
5.1 – Data theft
Attackers can extract sensitive information from attacked systems.
5.2 – Systems control
They can gain control over critical systems such as IT infrastructure or industrial control systems.
5.3 – Espionage and monitoring
Attackers can conduct large-scale espionage, collecting information or monitoring actions of interest.
How to prevent and mitigate supply chain attacks?
Preventing and mitigating supply chain attacks requires a proactive, multi-faceted approach since, as you learned above, attacks can affect multiple stages of the logistics process.
Check out the main technical strategies to prevent and mitigate these threats below!
1 – Supplier and partner assessment
Conduct a detailed cybersecurity assessment of all suppliers and partners in the supply chain. This should include reviewing security practices, security history, and regulatory compliance.
2 – Restricted access control
Implement strict access control policies to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to critical systems and confidential information.
Read also: 4 Advantages of an access centralizer for your company
3 – Product/service integrity
Use integrity checking mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to products or services as they move through the supply chain.
4 – Digital signatures and certificates
Use digital signatures and certificates to verify the authenticity of software and firmware, ensuring that the code has not been tampered with during distribution.
5 – Continuous monitoring
Implement continuous monitoring systems to detect suspicious behavior or activity in products and services after deployment.
6 – Penetration testing
Perform regular penetration testing on critical products and systems to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do.
7 – Training and awareness
Educate and train employees at all levels of the organization on supply chain threats and security best practices.
8 – Cooperation with suppliers
Maintain close collaboration with vendors and partners to share security information and foster a culture of cybersecurity.
Want to prevent attacks on your business? Count on TND Brasil's help!
Now that you have reached the end of our article, you already know that prioritizing the security of your supply chain against cyber attacks is essential to avoid greater consequences for your business and, especially, for your customers .
Therefore, we invite you to get to know all thePRODUCTSandSERVICESthat theTND BRAZILcan offer to your company, aiming at the total security of your network, your equipment and, of course, your information.CONTACT USand speak to one of our consultants today!