Smart Cybersecurity Practices to Secure Your Supply Chain

You might feel your office is secure with locks, alarms, and firewalls. But what if someone got in through a trusted supplier? It’s unsettling, but it happens more often than you think.

Cybercriminals are changing their approach. Rather than attacking your systems directly, they often go after the third-party software, services, or vendors you rely on every day. For small businesses with limited resources, this can feel overwhelming. How do you protect every part of your operation?

This is where good IT solutions come in. They help you see and control your supply chain, so you can spot risks early and protect your business without spending too much.

In 2023, supply chain cyberattacks in the U.S. hit 2,769 organizations. That’s a 58% jump from the year before and the highest number since tracking began in 2017.

The good news is you don’t have to face this alone. With the right steps, even small businesses can manage supply chain risks. Here are some simple ways to turn third-party weaknesses into strengths.

Why the Supply Chain Is Often the Overlooked Threat

Many businesses invest heavily in securing their own networks but often miss weaknesses in their outside partnerships. Any vendor, service provider, or cloud platform connected to your systems could be a way in for attackers.

Even worse, most companies don’t fully understand their third-party ecosystem. They might not know what data is shared, who has access, or what risks exist.

A study found that over 60% of security breaches come from third parties. Yet only a third of businesses trust their vendors to report problems. Many only learn about breaches after serious damage is done.

Step 1: Build a Full Vendor Inventory

Do you know all your external partners? You might be surprised. Start by making a list and updating it regularly. Include every third party with access to your data or systems.

• Document all third parties: Include software providers, contractors, and anyone else who handles sensitive data.

• Check their connections too. Your vendors may rely on other vendors, and risks can exist in these second or third layers.

• Update your list often. Business relationships change, so keep your inventory current and reflect any updates.

Step 2: Assess the Risk Level of Each Vendor

Not all vendors have the same level of risk. A supplier who manages your customer database needs more careful review than one who just delivers printer paper.

Categorize vendors based on:

• Data access: Who can view or interact with your most sensitive information?

• Security track record: Have they been breached before? Past incidents are often red flags.

• Certifications and standards: Certifications like SOC 2 or ISO 27001 are helpful, but don’t rely on them alone. Investigate further when needed.

Step 3: Make Security Ongoing, Not One-and-Done

Vendor security isn’t something you check once and forget. Threats change quickly, and a vendor that was safe last quarter might now be at risk.

Stay proactive by:

• Ask for more than just self-assessments. Do not settle for completed questionnaires; request independent security evaluations or test results.

• Add security clauses to your contracts. Clearly state what you expect, such as security protocols, how quickly breaches must be reported, and any penalties for not meeting these requirements.

• Use monitoring tools or services to track vendor activity, detect leaks, and alert you to new risks as they happen.

Step 4: Trust, But Always Verify

Relying only on vendor promises without checking is risky. Many businesses still trust vendors completely until a problem happens.

To stay protected:

• Require security practices: Enforce standards like multi-factor authentication (MFA), strong data encryption, and immediate notification of security incidents.

• Restrict access: Give vendors access only to the systems and data they need for their specific tasks—nothing more, nothing less.

• Ask for proof: Go beyond certificates. Request audit documentation or real examples of how vendors meet your security requirements.

Step 5: Implement Zero-Trust for Vendor Access

Zero-Trust is based on one main idea: no user or device should be trusted by default, especially those outside your organization.

To apply Zero-Trust in vendor management:

• Use strong authentication: Make MFA mandatory and block outdated or insecure login methods.

• Network segmentation: Separate vendor access so they can’t move freely throughout your environment.

• Reverify access regularly: Review each vendor’s permissions often to make sure they still match your current needs.

Businesses that use a Zero-Trust approach often see a big drop in vendor-related incidents, sometimes cutting the impact in half.

Step 6: Focus on Early Detection and Quick Response

Even with the best preparation, no system is completely safe. That’s why it’s so important to spot problems early and respond quickly.

Best practices include:

• Watch vendor tools closely. Monitor any third-party software you use for unusual activity, especially after updates or changes.

• Stay informed: Join cybersecurity communities or subscribe to threat intelligence feeds to learn about risks early.

• Test your defenses: Simulate attacks to find weaknesses in your supply chain before attackers do.

Step 7: Consider Partnering with a Managed Security Provider

Managing supply chain security can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a small team or limited in-house expertise. In these cases, managed IT and security services can help.

Benefits include:

• Around-the-clock monitoring: Security professionals track threats 24/7.

• Proactive alerts: They spot and flag suspicious activity before it becomes a crisis.

• Fast incident response: In the event of a breach, they act quickly to contain and resolve the issue.

Ignoring vendor-related threats can be costly. The average third-party breach now costs over $4 million, not counting damage to your reputation or lost business.

By investing in supply chain security now, you build resilience that protects your customers, your operations, and your future.

Taking Action Now: Your Supply Chain Security Checklist

Want to secure your business from third-party cyber threats? Start here with cybersecurity practices:

• Map every vendor. Include direct partners and their upstream suppliers.

• Classify by risk. Prioritize based on access to sensitive systems or data.

• Verify security credentials. Require certifications and ask for audit results.

• Lock it into contracts. Make sure your agreements include breach notification timelines and security standards.

• Adopt Zero-Trust controls. Limit access, enforce MFA, and segment your network.

• Monitor continuously. Watch for suspicious activity or changes in vendor systems.

• Leverage expert support. Managed security services can fill in the gaps and grow with your needs.

Secure your supply chain before it becomes an entry point for cybercriminals.

Your business may be protected, but what about your vendors? At Ayvant IT Services, we help small and mid-sized businesses strengthen their defenses against supply chain cyberattacks. We offer vendor risk assessments, Zero-Trust implementation, and 24/7 threat monitoring. Our end-to-end IT solutions help you find vulnerabilities before attackers do.

Don’t let third-party risks disrupt your business. Call us today for a free consultation and start securing your digital ecosystem with confidence.