Supply Chain Attack Definition
A supply chain attack, also known as a value-chain or third-party attack, happens when someone infiltrates your system through an outside partner or service provider with access to your systems and data. This kind of cyber attack targets less secure elements of the supply chain with the goal of reaching the final target.
Supply Chain Attack Key Points
- A supply chain attack infiltrates a network through a less-secure partner or service provider.
- The attacker ultimately aims to compromise the final target, not the intermediary one.
- Detecting and preventing such attacks can be challenging due to the indirect nature of the breach.
What is a Supply Chain Attack?
In a supply chain attack, cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in your network’s supply chain. The aim isn’t to compromise the intermediate target – the service provider or partner – but to breach your systems and data. The process involves identifying the weakest link in the chain, infiltrating it, and then using that access to reach the core target.
Why is a Supply Chain Attack done?
Supply chain attacks are typically done by cybercriminals looking to bypass the robust security measures of their main target. They identify and exploit weaker, less secure elements in the supply chain to stealthily reach their final objective—thus, staged at usually unsuspected and less guarded entry-points or intermediaries, these attacks can be particularly damaging and hard to detect.
How does a Supply Chain Attack work?
The first step in a supply chain attack is identifying the weakest link in your supply chain—often a third-party service provider or partner. This entity is infiltrated either through hacking methods or through insider threats. Once inside, the attacker can move laterally, exploiting further vulnerabilities and escalating privileges until they reach their final target.
When does a Supply Chain Attack occur?
A supply chain attack can occur at any time, although it often goes undetected until the attacker reaches their final target. This is partly due to the complexity of supply chain systems, which frequently span multiple organizations and involve several connected networks, which can blur boundaries and security responsibility.
Where does a Supply Chain Attack occur?
A supply chain attack infiltrates primarily through the networks of third-party service providers or partners. These entities, however, are just the intermediary targets. The attack itself culminates inside the victim’s networks—i.e., the networks of the business that utilizes the infiltrated service or partner.
Who can carry out a Supply Chain Attack?
Supply chain attacks can be carried out by sophisticated cybercriminals, hacker groups, or even state-sponsored entities. Due to the level of complexity and resources required to carry out such attacks, the attacker is often a well-funded and -resourced entity.
