Most people have heard about malware, phishing, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, but another, much more recent, cybersecurity hazard can cause far more damage. Supply chain attacks (or supply chain poisoning attacks) have the power to infiltrate hundreds of thousands of public and private organizations simultaneously, making them one of the biggest threats of the modern era.
That's what happened in 2020 when a supply chain attack spread to the U.S. government. Cybercriminals inserted malicious code into software used by thousands of organizations worldwide, impacting numerous computer systems and exposing sensitive data. The SolarWinds attack is, perhaps, the most significant example of the damage bad actors can cause with supply chain poisoning. However, the problem is worsening, with software supply chain attacks tripling in 2021.
In this guide, learn more about preventing supply chain attacks and the best ways to protect your organization.
Packagecloud scans for supply chain attacks, trojan horse attacks, and other cybersecurity threats in software packages with the latest technology. By comparing packages to cybersecurity threats, Packagecloud ensures nothing inside packages is vulnerable to hackers, helping you keep your software supply chain secure. Sign up for your free trial here.
Read more: How to Secure Your Software Supply Chain
Supply Chain Attacks, Explained
Supply chain attacks happen when a cybercriminal infiltrates third-party software in your organization. That software can be anything from a customer relationship management (CRM) system to an enterprise resource planning (ERP) application. Typically, the cybercriminal will hack the software, change its source code, and add malicious code to the software build. That allows the malware to spread to every organization that uses the same program as you. A single act of supply chain poisoning can impact hundreds of thousands of people or more.
Packagecloud stores software packages inside a centralized location, allowing you to pull them from a controlled and safe environment. Instead of using public repos, you can improve software package security and reduce the risk of supply chain poisoning. Start your Packagecloud trial now!
Read more: What is a Software Repo?
Preventing Supply Chain Attacks
Here are some of the most common ways of preventing supply chain attacks.
Know Your Vendor
Third-party software vendors and service providers might not always adopt the highest security standards, leaving your systems vulnerable to supply chain poisoning. That's why it's critical to establish a relationship with your vendor and know their security policies and procedures. If you are concerned with your vendor's security practices, consider alternative software when your license expires.
Limit Data Sharing
How much data do you share with third-party vendors? You might need to provide vendors with access to data for your software to function, but you can still limit the amount of information you share with these third parties.
Educate Your Vendor About Supply Chain Attack Risks
Some vendors might not be aware of supply chain attacks, but you can educate them about the potential threats of these events. Perhaps you can increase awareness about supply chain poisoning when renegotiating licenses with vendors and explain why cybersecurity is such an important issue for businesses like yours. Third-party vendors should, at the very least, only allow authorized persons to change code and execute endpoint detection.
Read more: What is a Software Supply Chain Attack?
How Can Packagecloud Help With Preventing Supply Chain Attacks?
The three solutions above suggest the impetus for preventing supply chain poisoning falls on software vendors, but sometimes it's best to take matters into your own hands. Packagecloud enhances software security by storing packages in a centrally controlled location instead of public repos and scanning for supply chain poisoning, trojan horse attacks, and other critical threats. That helps keep software packages secure.
While third-party software vendors have a responsibility to prevent supply chain attacks, businesses like yours can also take action against this growing cybersecurity threat. Checking packages for vulnerabilities is the best way to control supply chain poisoning and safeguard your organization.
Packagecloud can keep your software supply chain secure by checking packages against the latest cybersecurity risks, allowing you to identify up-to-date threats. Sign up for your free trial with Packagecloud here.