Recently, the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Team has discovered a supply chain attack executed by North Korean attackers. The prime victim of this attack was CyberLink, a multimedia software company headquartered in Taiwan. This strategic infiltration in the CyberLink infrastructure impacted globally present customers, risking data integrity and confidentiality.
The software supply chain today runs differently than it did just five years ago. The number of available tools, languages, and packages used have exploded. Further, the growing mix of OSS packages puts organizations at risk of outdated software, untracked dependencies, and non-compliant licenses. To add to the chaos, teams are now increasingly distributed and greater in number. All of this dramatically increases the number of inputs within the software supply chain.
The digital ecosystem is an intricate web of interconnected technologies and processes. Within this network, supply chain cybersecurity has emerged as a critical component to safeguard against the growing threat landscape. As supply chains become increasingly digital, they also become more vulnerable to cyber attacks that can disrupt operations and compromise sensitive data.
In a supply chain attack, hackers aim to breach a target's defenses by exploiting vulnerabilities in third-party companies. These attacks typically follow one of two paths. The first involves targeting a service provider or contractor, often a smaller entity with less robust security. The second path targets software developers, embedding malicious code into their products. This code, masquerading as a legitimate update, may later infiltrate the IT systems of customers.
It’s that time of the year again, 2024 planning. Security and third-party risk management leaders are scrambling to prioritize their initiatives for the coming year, advocate for more resources, and report on their progress over the past year. When only 16% of organizations report that they effectively manage third-party risk, the new year provides a blank slate to introduce new efficiencies to existing processes.
Whether internally developed or purchased, your applications can be exposed to a host of vulnerabilities, especially via open source components that are widely used in today’s software. A recent survey found that 60% of data breach victims were compromised due to a known but unpatched vulnerability. Effective prevention and risk management requires being able to understand the vulnerability risk profile for each component of your Software Supply Chain.
You’ve probably encountered them. Self-reported ‘supplier security assessments’ – documents where fact and fiction can easily overlap if the requisite information cannot be readily validated. In reality, supplier questionnaires do offer an (albeit limited) indication of an organisation’s level of cyber maturity and are a necessary process.
Securing your software supply chain is crucial for ensuring the integrity and security of the software you develop and deliver. Here are the top 8 security best practices for a secure software supply chain.
