Your Vendors Could Be Your Biggest Cyber Risk

Aug 29

Is Your Supply Chain Your Weakest Security Link?

You’ve got firewalls, antivirus software, and your passwords are locked down tight—but what about the vendors and software partners you rely on every day? If they’re not secure, neither are you.

Today’s cybercriminals aren’t always hacking you directly. They’re going after the trusted partners in your supply chain—and once they’re in, they can often slip past your defenses unnoticed.

In 2023, supply chain cyberattacks affected over 2,700 organizations in the U.S.—a 58% increase from the year before. And for small businesses, the ripple effect can be devastating.

What Makes Supply Chains So Risky?

Every third-party app, service provider, or vendor that has access to your systems is a potential entry point for hackers. The problem? Many small businesses don’t even have a full list of who has access, let alone how secure those partners are.

Worse, most companies rely on vendors to tell them when something goes wrong. But only a third of businesses actually trust their partners to disclose a breach. That’s a big gamble.

What You Can Do About It

Thankfully, you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to make smart changes. Here’s where to start:

1. Map Your Vendors
List everyone who has access to your data, systems, or software—and don’t forget their vendors, too. Review it regularly.

2. Assess Their Risk
Not all vendors are equal. Prioritize those with sensitive access or a poor security history.

3. Keep Asking Questions
Don’t just trust self-reported info. Ask for audit reports, breach history, and certifications—and check back often.

4. Set Boundaries
Only give vendors the access they need—nothing more. Use contracts that include clear security standards and breach reporting rules.

5. Embrace Zero-Trust
Even trusted partners shouldn’t have unlimited access. Use MFA, limit login methods, and segment your network.

6. Monitor Everything
Watch for suspicious vendor activity and stay on top of new vulnerabilities in the tools you use.

7. Get Help If You Need It
Don’t have time to do all this alone? Managed IT services (like ours) can take care of 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and response so you don’t have to.