The accelerated digitization of corporate processes has brought about an alarming side effect: the supply chain has become one of the most critical vectors for cyberattacks today. The warning comes from industry experts, who point to a shift in digital criminals“ strategy: instead of attacking the ”fortresses" of large corporations, the targets are now smaller suppliers—often the weakest link in digital security.
The issue, once confined to IT departments, has risen to the boardroom. According to market analyses, indirect attacks are now a concern on par with geopolitical instability and trade wars. Approximately 29% of supply chain managers in critical sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and technology report a significant increase in these incidents.
The “Trojan Horse” Strategy”
The logic of the attackers is pragmatic. Large companies usually have robust defenses but are interconnected with hundreds of business partners.
“The reality is that while many companies correctly invest in their internal defenses, those exploiting vulnerabilities do not target the strong systems, but the weaker links that have access to larger corporate networks,” explains Fernanda Amaral, Territorial Manager at Achilles in Brazil, a multinational specializing in risk management.
This interdependence creates a cascading effect. Once compromised, a small supplier can serve as a bridge for the theft of sensitive data or the paralysis of a multinational's operations.
The Price of Vulnerability
Financial data underscores the urgency of the issue. Global reports indicate that the average cost of a cyberattack is around US$ 3.6 million (approximately R$ 18 million).
Beyond the immediate financial loss, the impact on business continuity is devastating: organizations can take, on average, 280 days to fully restore their operations after a severe breach. This scenario places cyber risks ahead of natural disasters and pandemics on the list of top corporate fears.
From Technical Problem to Governance Pillar
In this context, cybersecurity has ceased to be merely a matter of firewalls and antivirus software to become a strategic pillar of Corporate Governance and ESG..
To mitigate these risks, the market has adopted new guidelines, including:
- Continuous Monitoring: Using tools that score partners' cyber risk in real-time.
- Regular Audits: Constant assessment of third parties' digital maturity.
- Security Culture: Training teams and requiring compliance as a contractual prerequisite.
“A breach at a supplier can cost millions and halt entire operations,” warns Fernanda Amaral. The message to the market is clear: in the 21st century, a business's resilience directly depends on the digital security of its entire partner network.
