Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Best Practices for Risk Management

An often-overlooked part of supply chain risk management is an effective cybersecurity strategy that protects businesses from the risks associated with processes that use a lot of third-party software and hardware where harmful malware can lie.

Common Risks and Threats to Supply Chains

Supply chains are full of moving parts—both physical and digital—which require careful examination to make sure businesses aren’t bringing threats into their organizations through third-party software and hardware.

Here are some of the most common risks and threats within supply chain processes:

- Third-party Service Providers or Vendors: Beware of compromised software and hardware from third parties who may lack proper information security practices.

- Software Security Vulnerabilities: When using any form of software within a supply chain process, be sure to properly check for potential vulnerabilities that could affect a network.

- Counterfeit Hardware or Embedded Malware: As with software, it’s possible to accidentally purchase and install counterfeit or malware-embedded hardware that can infect a business network.

- Third-party Data Storage: Utilizing cloud storage is not especially risk-filled in and of itself, but it’s important to understand the levels of security available when choosing a third-party data storage center and to know what to look for in cybersecurity features.

Best Practices for Supply Chain Cybersecurity

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a set of guidelines and best practices, questions, and principles for manufacturers to follow to secure supply chains.

These NIST guidelines are the standard for cyber supply chain risk management.

1. Access Management

With so many users, both internal and external, accessing parts of a network, being able to manage that access is a crucial part of supply chain cybersecurity, especially when handling third-party vendors.

This means monitoring and escorting vendors, limiting hardware vendors to mechanical systems without any access to controls and limiting software, and ensuring access to any software is limited to just those who need it.

Similarly, internal access management should limit access to key systems to only those who need it to do their jobs.

2. Have a Hands-On Cybersecurity Partner

A comprehensive cybersecurity plan means letting a cybersecurity team or partner audit all parts of a process, network, and systems.

NIST recommends having hands-on cybersecurity in all parts of a product’s development lifecycle, including as a part of the processes and tools used by suppliers, developers, and vendors.

3. Security Training Programs

An informed, educated workforce is a major asset in the fight against cybercriminals when they’re up to date on the latest threats, risks, and data security practices (including good cyber hygiene).

This helps them effectively avoid and thwart threats and to identify potential breaches so they can be stopped before they do damage.

Some key areas of training include password management, identifying threats, device security, anti-virus software, and other attack vectors which form a solid foundational understanding of how to keep data secure and protect the entirety of the organization from a breach.

4. Consistent Monitoring

Cyberthreats are constant and establishing security to defend against them isn’t a set it and forget it strategy, it’s a consistent process that constantly adapts and watches for potential threats.

Consistent expert monitoring of a business’ network and systems is a very important aspect of manufacturing and supply chain cybersecurity.

This means monitoring data, access, processes, devices, and more to ensure nobody is stealing information or misusing hardware or software through the use of behavioral detection software and other tools.

5. Third-Party Product and Software Vetting

When working with third party vendors, suppliers, software, or products, be sure to have proper security vetting protocols in place to check for any vulnerabilities that could compromise an organization's system when connected to it.

Do not assume that third-party software providers have the security measures you need in place.

Ultimately, your cybersecurity is your responsibility and it’s incumbent on the individual business to make sure they are keeping data safe from attack.

Check all devices, equipment, and software used in the supply chain process for risks and have a plan in place to mitigate risks when they appear.

6. Password Management

Not only is it important to make sure everyone within a business is using strong passwords, but it’s also important to monitor and manage those passwords for appropriate use and consistent updating.

Make sure nobody in a business is still using default passwords, for example, and that there are strong password creation protocols to make it easy for people to generate ultra-strong passwords or passphrases.

Businesses can also implement secure ways of tracking their passwords by using password storage software like LastPass.

Bottom Line

Following closely with NIST’s cybersecurity guidelines and suggestions will help you secure your business and supply chain process with better passwords, training, access control, and software vetting, but alone or with a small cybersecurity or IT team you can only do so much.

With the help of an expert partner like DOT Security, businesses can have true security specialists handle every aspect of their cybersecurity strategy, ensuring that the entirety of their supply chain process is protected.

Want to learn more about how DOT Security and our team of experts can help? Contact us today.