Three top reasons you need strong Supply Chain Security now

There’s no doubt about it—today’s globalized, Internet-driven supply chains are built for cost efficiency and optimized for speed. Yet while modern supply chain proficiencies improve product cost and quality, they also can put your IT purchase at risk if your provider has weak supply chain protocols.

So what are the three biggest supply chain threats that could put your IT purchase at risk?

1. Physical security of warehouse and integration sites, transportation, internal personnel and third-party subcontractors
2. Operational security, including procurement, system configuration, software loading, verification, transportation and delivery
3. Logical security of hardware, software, network components and devices

Facility breaches threaten product quality

The physical security of supplier facilities can be an easy entry point for product tampering, theft or cyberattack. It’s also difficult to manage because the facilities are populated with personnel and contractors who are invited in. These individuals can easily gain access to your hardware and software components at the integration level. Your IT supplier should have a policy of physical security to safeguard facility entry and workspaces. This should include monitored building security, exterior cameras, interior cameras, motion sensors, alarmed doors, 24/7 security details, and zoned access with badge readers that limit access to sensitive integration areas based on roles.

Operational disruptions derail product confidence

Chances are many of your components are imported from overseas suppliers that may or may not have supply chain security. This expansive operational network opens the door to malicious corruption, counterfeit components, gray-market products and potential delivery disruption. Business continuity and secure operations must be established throughout this expanded operational framework and  accommodations must be made for region-specific risk. For confidence in your product purchase, choose a supplier that has a tightly integrated security approach that audits and documents the chain of custody from inception to disposal. Transportation disruptions can result in damaged, compromised or counterfeit product outcomes, but shipment tracking, tracing, event logs and time stamps from dock to door can mitigate risk along the way.

IT failures compromise product reliability

Logical security secures computers, software, networks and mobile devices that are used for supply chain collaboration, communication and production. Vulnerability points can include caching issues, data leakage, JavaScript vulnerabilities, and verifying the security of software applications that manage critical information, from product designs to price lists. Your supply chain partners should have strong logical security protocols to stop breaches and hacks from compromising your devices. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection and monitoring, along with scanning of all drives, software and media before they’re loaded into the system.

CyberCore has 17 years of experience securing supply chains for quality, confidence and reliability, with an ISO 28000-compliant framework that mitigates purchase risk for your organization.

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