Are you inadvertently the "weak link" in your biggest client's security chain?
There is an increasing risk that smaller SMEs are being targeted not for their own assets, but as a gateway to access larger supply chain companies. While big corporations often have enterprise-grade security, their smaller suppliers, who feed into their systems, often have a more relaxed approach to cybersecurity.
In this video, Simon Batchelar is joined by business strategist Paul Everington from Everwell Associates to discuss why hackers are turning their attention to the supply chain and what you can do to protect your business.
Why hackers are targeting SMEs
Hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Rather than attacking a major corporation like Jaguar Land Rover directly, they identify the thousands of smaller suppliers that feed into that ecosystem. By compromising an SME, often through something as simple as a dormant employee login or a socially engineered email, they can gain a foothold into the larger, more lucrative target.
Key takeaways from our discussion:
-
The "Back Door" Route
How hackers use neglected accounts and simple malware to bypass the heavy security of prime contractors. -
Financial Liability
We discuss the financial reality: if a major client is hacked through your system and lacks insurance coverage, their legal team may come after you to recover the losses. -
The Value of Your Data
Why seemingly innocuous data, such as blueprints, drawings, or software files, allows criminals to reverse-engineer a larger client's security systems. -
The "We Aren’t Connected" Myth
Paul explains why you are still a risk even if you don't have a direct software link to your client, simply sending an invoice or a spreadsheet can be enough to cause an infection. -
Planning for the Worst
Why you need a "Resilience Plan" (not just a risk assessment) to ensure you know exactly what to say and do when things go wrong.
If you are concerned about where your business sits in the supply chain risk sequence, or want to start mapping out your resilience plan, please do get in touch.
Being seen as a credible, resilient supplier is also something you need to communicate. Our 3-step marketing process helps you make that credibility visible to the Tier 1 buyers vetting their supply chain. You can see this in our defence supply chain work, where we communicate exactly the resilience and assurance these buyers look for.