Proactive security – protecting supply chains

Overview

• Nearly 45% of UK organisations have experienced multiple supply chain security incidents in the last 12 months.

• Staying ahead of threats requires security risk management, visibility, control and response mechanisms.

• Proactively securing what lies outside your business is just as critical as protecting what’s inside.

Why proactive protection is your strategic advantage for supply chain cyber security 

In 2022, a ransomware attack on NHS supplier Advanced Computer Software Group (ACSG) disrupted critical healthcare services across the UK.  

The attack targeted ACSG’s systems, which support mental health trusts, patient referrals and ambulance dispatch operations.  

Though the breach didn’t occur within the NHS itself, the consequences were widespread. This highlights just how vulnerable essential services are to threats introduced via supply chains. 
 
Events like this drive home a crucial point. Even when your own defences are strong, cyber attackers can still impact you through partners, vendors, or software providers.  

In today’s hyperconnected business landscape, threats don’t always knock at the front door. They sneak in, hidden in routine business interactions. 
 
This isn’t an isolated incident. Nearly 45% of UK organisations said they’ve experienced multiple supply chain security incidents in the last 12 months. ¹  
 
As businesses rely on remote working, cloud platforms and global supplier networks, the attack surface grows far beyond your immediate control. That’s why proactively securing what lies outside your business is just as critical as protecting what’s inside. 

Protect now to benefit your businesses 

Modern supply chains aren’t just physical. They’re made up of complex, data-rich digital relationships. Logistics providers, cloud platforms, SaaS vendors, and payroll partners frequently have privileged access to your systems, data and applications. 
 
These partnerships drive business agility, but they can also introduce new vulnerabilities and potential blind spots. In today’s climate, you need to protect the things that matter most, even when they’re outside your direct control. 
 
Changes in regulations are shifting mindsets. Legislation such as the NIS 2 Directive (impacting UK organisations operating in the EU) and UK GDPR now require organisations to demonstrate that they can safeguard not only their internal environments, but the broader ecosystems they rely on. 
 
These regulatory requirements though come at a time when digital transformation has widened the threat landscape. New technologies may unlock productivity, but they also create more potential entry points for attackers.  

In response to these evolving risks, the UK government has announced its forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This is set to strengthen the national approach to digital security and will impose new requirements on organisations to demonstrate robust resilience against cyber threats, enhance reporting obligations for incidents. It will also ensure that critical infrastructure and supply chains maintain higher standards of protection. 

Identify third party risks 

Third party risks often go unnoticed until they’re exploited. Even trusted suppliers can inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities with consequences that affect your entire organisation. 
 
Some of the most common scenarios include: 

• Unmonitored third-party access to core systems. Without regular validation, long standing connections can become soft targets, but only 14% of UK businesses currently review the cyber risks posed by their immediate suppliers.2 

• Poor data handling by third parties. When sensitive data such as customer information to intellectual property is stored externally, it must be properly secured and audited. If not, that data becomes a liability. 
   

• Malware and phishing introduced via connected partners. Compromised emails, shared platforms, or VPN connections can be used by threat actors to move laterally between organisations, in so-called “island-hopping” attacks. 

These aren’t hypothetical risks. They’re already being exploited across industries. Larger enterprises may have the scale to absorb fallout, but small and medium-sized businesses often face disproportionate operational and reputational consequences. 

A proactive strategy for supply chain security 

Staying ahead of threats requires security risk management, visibility, control and response mechanisms to be embedded into how you manage third-party relationships.  

As we’ve discussed in a previous article, a successful strategy must also be rooted in Zero Trust principles.  

You must assume no implicit trust and verify every connection, user and device. 
 
Here are six critical steps to building a proactive supply chain security strategy: 

1. Map your supply chain. Understand who has access to your systems, networks and data. This helps identify shadow suppliers and inherited risks before they become problems. 

2. Adopt a Zero Trust approach. Ensure all access is verified, monitored and limited. Zero Trust enables real time threat detection, unified security and greater control over how systems interact. 

3. Use best practice frameworks. The UK government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers comprehensive cyber security guidance for organisations of all sizes. Read their five practical steps that you can take to gain confidence in your supply chain cyber security. 

4. Embed clear access and authentication controls. Set baseline expectations with every new supplier from day one, not after issues arise. Define roles, credentials, multi-factor authentication and audit processes at the start. 

5. Develop and test a cyber incident response plan. Effective response processes can help reduce downtime and protect business continuity. The NCSC also offers useful advice about how to manage an incident in practice.  

6. Foster resilient partnerships. Build relationships with partners who provide full visibility across the supply chain and can help you detect, respond to, and recover from threats quickly and collaboratively.

Now is the time to take action

The most resilient organisations don’t just react to cyber threats. They anticipate them.  By proactively securing your supply chain, you can reduce risk, simplify complexity and create a unified defence across your business network. 
 
At Vodafone Business, our cyber security consultants help organisations evaluate and strengthen the security of their digital ecosystem, from core infrastructure to connected third parties. 
 
We have over 30 years of experience protecting UK and global businesses, specialising in supporting sectors with high data security and compliance requirements. We also partner with Zscaler, a global leader in cloud-native security, to deliver scalable, Zero Trust security solutions that work in real time. 
 
If you’re looking to strengthen your supply chain security posture, talk to us today about how our proactive, proven approach can help. 

Protect your business and data from digital security threats with Vodafone's excellent cyber security solutions for business.