This article provides tips on how to protect your software supply chain. In this article, we will discuss the types of attacks that are targeting the software supply chain, the vulnerabilities they present, and how to monitor suppliers to avoid drift. We will also discuss how to implement controls to protect your software supply chain. Here are five of the most important security controls for software supply chains. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to securing your software supply chain.
Attacks targeting the software supply chain
Hacker groups often target online businesses and exploitation of vulnerabilities in the software supply chain could open a door for attackers. Attackers have discovered that 80% of software that is reused does not receive regular updates. The Solarwinds attack demonstrated this, as the compromised Orion software contained a TLS certificate private key for the Mimecast mail server. This information was then used by attackers to gain access to customer emails. The Solarwinds attack may not have had a major impact, but it is still indicative of a growing problem that requires immediate attention: attacks targeting the software supply chain are becoming increasingly common.
The SolarWinds attack is a classic example of an attack on a software supply chain. The attackers used exploits of IT infrastructure monitoring to compromise the company’s software. This attack happened as early as September 2019, when the SolarWinds Orion application was installed on over 18,000 systems. It’s unclear if other vendors are affected by this exploit, but it shows the ramifications of this type of attack.
Supply chain attacks can affect entire organizations, individual departments, and entire industries. Since most organizations don’t have a clear view of their entire software supply chain, they are at risk of falling victim to such attacks. Attackers seek out weak links in the supply chain, so they will attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities by targeting small vendors with little to no cybersecurity controls. They will also target open source components that have a small community and lax security measures.
Mitigating those vulnerabilities
The software supply chain is a vulnerable point in your network, and 80% of all re-used software isn’t updated. This means that your software might be infected with malware during its design, production, and distribution phases. Furthermore, as your software becomes more vulnerable to attacks, threat actors will use the maintenance phase as a target, bombarding your customers with fake updates loaded with backdoor malware. Unfortunately, as more software vendors enter the supply chain, so does the risk of malware.
One way to mitigate the risk of attacks on your software supply chain is to internalize security best practices. For example, you should investigate the cybersecurity practices of your software vendors, and any third-party contributors. In addition to auditing their cybersecurity practices, you should also consider their governance policies and security practices. By doing so, you can detect potential attacks early and protect your data. After all, it’s easier to prevent an attack than to respond to one later.
Software supply chain security is not as simple as building a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). This includes investigating software configuration, deployment, and usage. This information will improve your automated vulnerability remediation. By taking a multi-dimensional approach to securing the software supply chain, you’ll be more confident of protecting your organization’s data and applications. If you’re not yet doing so, you’ll be behind the curve.
Monitoring suppliers’ security policies
It is critical for a company to monitor the security policies and procedures of all supply chain vendors. Such policies should be validated and certified, and should be in accordance with industry best practices. Various methods of verifying security policies are legal certifications, accredited auditor reports, and third-party testing. A contract should outline the use and access guidelines, as well as the liability for breaches. Monitoring supplier security policies can help protect your data, as well as your reputation.
When choosing a supplier, it is critical to consider the risk and potential ramifications of a breach. Organizations may not always be aware of the potential consequences of a security breach, or they might have misread the company’s policies. In addition, organizations should not trust their suppliers to implement adequate security measures. Ultimately, the supply chain is only as secure as its weakest link.
Software supply chains can be complex networks. They include code, libraries, and hardware components. Keeping the whole network secure requires different approaches for each component or link. One approach focuses on the components, while the other focuses on how to keep the business running. The right approach depends on the type of software, supplier, and process. The more security measures you apply to each link, the better off your entire supply chain is.
