When someone, typically a third-party service provider, access your private data and systems and use them to intrude your infrastructure, that is known as a supply chain attack. This can happen when the attacker has created a flaw in a solution offered by the vendor who’s being targeted. The solution may be a countermeasure or security measure.
How is a Supply Chain Attack?
Supply chain attacks vary and are often computer worms which steal money from ATMs. The most common sources of supply chain attacks are software, open source code and foreign goods. There are many companies who use the same software, so if just one of them gets hacked, they could access a whole host of other companies. Hackers may exploit vulnerabilities in open-source programs, like Linux and Android, to introduce threats on a company’s system.
If a hacker gains access to the software that companies buy, they can use this to infiltrate their network. Hackers may also try to hack penetration tools that security providers give to their clients. Software developers that work with compromised development tools and infrastructure are far more likely to release unsafe software applications.
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Companies can secure their supply chain by implementing a number of techniques, such as improving their cybersecurity infrastructure.
How to Prevent a Supply Chain Attack?
In the modern world, applications typically consist mostly of third-party code. Allowing companies to develop more quickly and better scale, it also has additional cyber risks if it is not used with the necessary care.
The dangers of the software supply chain include outdated and vulnerable components that can compromise company security. Software supply chains are not always evaluated or regulated by companies, making it difficult to identify any vulnerabilities.
In order to minimize vulnerabilities and increase security, an inventory of all the software used in a company is necessary. With the evaluation of all the apps and updates, you can better protect your company from attacks.
Don’t assume a supplier is safe just because they weren’t the one to initiate this attack. You need to continuously monitor their risk and periodically evaluate. With client-side protection, you can stop malicious code before it even enters your system. By implementing an endpoint detection and response (EDR) system, certain types of supply chain attacks can be stopped. Think about the best ways to make secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption mandatory. Make sure that all files containing information are signed by a digital signature.
Shiftleft has a new tool, which builds upon the development workflows of DevOps Teams. This tool combines SCA and Static Application Security Testing (SAST) into a single scan that is completed as soon as a developer pulls a piece of code. Black Duck is providing industry leading solutions for managing both software components and enterprise policy management with its tools.
