As organizations have reinforced their defenses against direct attacks, hackers have increasingly turned their attention to the supply chain, exploiting vulnerabilities in third-party systems to gain access to larger networks. These backdoor supply chain attacks have led to significant security breaches in recent years, putting businesses and their data at serious risk.
A growing number of these incidents involve vulnerabilities in commonly-used IT and security tools. One recent example involves Ivanti enterprise VPNs, where attackers took advantage of a zero-day flaw to deploy a backdoor called ‘DSLog’. Similarly, a remote code execution vulnerability in TeamCity was exploited—likely by the APT29 group—using PowerShell scripts to install malicious certificates and download malware. The popular file transfer tool GoAnywhere MFT also became a target for ransomware groups like LockBit and Cl0p, who used it to execute remote code, causing major disruptions, particularly in healthcare.
These examples make it clear that weaknesses in widely-used management tools are prime targets for both state-sponsored actors and ransomware groups. Protecting against such supply chain cyberattacks is more crucial than ever.
Supply Chain Attacks Aren’t New
While supply chain attacks have recently made headlines, they’ve been a favorite tactic of cybercriminals for years. Hackers have repeatedly exploited security gaps in third-party providers and vendors to compromise larger organizations. The infamous SolarWinds Orion attack and the breach involving VMware Workspace ONE are prime examples of successful supply chain intrusions.
One of the most notorious supply chain attacks remains the RSA SecurID token breach. In that case, attackers leveraged stolen information to infiltrate RSA’s authentication system, ultimately compromising high-profile customers like Lockheed Martin.
Addressing Supply Chain Security Risks
Failures in third-party systems can result in not only data loss but also severe operational and reputational damage. Basic vendor management is no longer enough—companies need to actively safeguard against third-party control failures. Here are some key strategies to consider:
1. Implement Advanced Supplier Risk Management
Ensure that every vendor or supplier follows strict cybersecurity protocols. This includes assessing their compliance with relevant standards such as ISO 27001, NIST, or GDPR. Vendors should be evaluated based on the sensitivity of the data they handle and the criticality of their services. You may also want to require independent security testing of software applications before deployment.
2. Secure the Software Development Pipeline
Protect access to the tools and applications used by DevOps teams. This includes ensuring secure configuration via secrets and authenticating applications with a high degree of confidence. It’s also essential to require that software providers extend security measures to cover microservices, cloud infrastructure, and DevOps environments.
3. Keep Systems and Software Updated
Regularly update and patch your systems and those of your suppliers. Unsupported or outdated software introduces vulnerabilities that attackers can easily exploit. Keeping everything current is a simple yet effective way to reduce risks.
4. Harden Your Environment
When working in cloud environments, reject authorization requests that don’t meet accepted security norms. For on-premises systems, use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)-validated Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) to protect token-signing certificates and private keys. HSMs help reduce the risk of key theft by malicious actors.
5. Strengthen Access Controls
Limit vendor access to only the systems and data necessary for their operations. Multi-factor authentication should be mandatory for third-party access to your systems. A Zero Trust approach can further enhance security by requiring continuous verification of all users before access is granted.
6. Use Security Tools and Technologies
Segment your network to prevent lateral movement if one section is breached. Tools like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions can help identify malicious activities on devices connected via third parties. Encrypting sensitive data—both at rest and in transit—will also minimize the damage in the event of a breach.
7. Adopt Cybersecurity Frameworks and Best Practices
Implement frameworks like the NIST cybersecurity framework to identify, protect, detect, and respond to cyber threats. Consider adopting supply chain-specific frameworks, such as ISO 28001 or the Shared Assessments Standardized Information Gathering (SIG), to better manage supply chain risks.
8. Incorporate Cybersecurity in Contracts
Make sure vendor contracts include clear cybersecurity requirements, including mandatory security controls, data protection measures, and breach notification procedures. For high-risk vendors, consider requiring third-party audits or independent security assessments to verify their security posture.
Why Supply Chain Security Matters
Supply chain attacks are not a new phenomenon, with past breaches such as the SolarWinds Orion and RSA SecurID token attacks serving as early warnings of the risks. These incidents caused substantial harm by exploiting third-party systems to gain access to high-value targets. Today, protecting against these threats is more essential than ever, requiring businesses to go beyond basic vendor management practices. Implementing advanced risk management strategies, securing development pipelines, keeping systems updated, and hardening network environments are crucial steps. Additionally, strengthening access controls, adopting cybersecurity frameworks, and incorporating security requirements into vendor contracts can significantly reduce risks.
Netizen helps businesses stay ahead of these threats by offering comprehensive solutions like CISO-as-a-Service, vulnerability assessments, and continuous monitoring through automated assessment tools. Our services are designed to secure the entire IT infrastructure, ensuring that businesses are protected from the growing threat of supply chain cyberattacks.
How Can Netizen Help?
Netizen ensures that security gets built-in and not bolted-on. Providing advanced solutions to protect critical IT infrastructure such as the popular “CISO-as-a-Service” wherein companies can leverage the expertise of executive-level cybersecurity professionals without having to bear the cost of employing them full time.
We also offer compliance support, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and more security-related services for businesses of any size and type.
Additionally, Netizen offers an automated and affordable assessment tool that continuously scans systems, websites, applications, and networks to uncover issues. Vulnerability data is then securely analyzed and presented through an easy-to-interpret dashboard to yield actionable risk and compliance information for audiences ranging from IT professionals to executive managers.
Netizen is an ISO 27001:2013 (Information Security Management), ISO 9001:2015, and CMMI V 2.0 Level 3 certified company. We are a proud Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor for hiring and retention of military veterans.
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