AIIT SupportManaged Service Why AI-ready managed services are replacing traditional IT models We explore what modern managed services should do for your business – and why it can be the key to success.... AwardsIndustry News Infinity Group CEO named one of the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2025_ Rob Young, CEO of Infinity Group, has been recognised as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Busine...... AI AI agent use cases: eliminating project risk_ Find out how we’re using AI agents internally to streamline manual project work and eliminate risk for our clients....
AwardsIndustry News Infinity Group CEO named one of the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2025_ Rob Young, CEO of Infinity Group, has been recognised as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Busine...... AI AI agent use cases: eliminating project risk_ Find out how we’re using AI agents internally to streamline manual project work and eliminate risk for our clients....
AI AI agent use cases: eliminating project risk_ Find out how we’re using AI agents internally to streamline manual project work and eliminate risk for our clients....
Key takeaways Supply chain cyberattacks are rising, targeting vendors and third-party providers to infiltrate businesses indirectly. These attacks can lead to data breaches, operational disruption and reputational damage, making supply chain security a critical priority. Businesses should implement vendor risk assessments, zero-trust principles and continuous monitoring to protect against evolving threats. Today’s businesses don’t operate in isolation. They rely on a network of suppliers, IT providers, marketing agencies and countless third-party vendors. These partnerships keep operations running, but they also create a sprawling attack surface. Every shared file, API integration and cloud connection is a potential entry point. And now, with AI accelerating the speed and sophistication of cyber crime, the risk is evolving. Attackers can automate reconnaissance, craft convincing deepfake emails and exploit vulnerabilities across entire ecosystems in seconds. The question isn’t if your supply chain will be targeted. It’s when and how prepared you’ll be when AI-driven threats hit. Why are supply chains a prime target? Cyber criminals know that supply chains are interconnected. Breaching one weak link can unlock access to multiple organisations and vast amounts of data. Historically, attacks relied on malware and phishing, but the game has changed. AI-powered tools now enable attackers to automate reconnaissance, craft convincing deepfake communications and exploit vulnerabilities at scale. Accenture research shows 40% of cyber attacks originate in the extended supply chain, not within businesses themselves. And with AI accelerating attack speed and sophistication, that number is likely to rise. Your security is only as strong as the weakest member of your chain. Criminals actively hunt for those weak points – whether it’s an outdated vendor system or an unsecured AI integration. Why safeguarding your business matters_ In a connected world, your security isn’t just about you – it’s about everyone you work with. Every supplier, partner and vendor is part of an ecosystem where one weak link can compromise the entire chain. If your defences fail, attackers don’t just gain access to your systems, they gain a gateway to your customers, your partners, and their data too. This is why safeguarding your business is critical: You’re a target by association. Cyber criminals often go after smaller or mid-sized businesses because they know these organizations connect to larger enterprises. Breaching you could mean breaching them. AI is changing the game. Attackers now use automation and AI to identify vulnerabilities faster and launch highly convincing scams (like deepfake emails or voice calls) making it easier to exploit trust between partners. Reputational risk travels fast. If an attack originates from your systems, the damage isn’t limited to your brand. It can ripple across the supply chain, eroding trust and jeopardising future contracts. Compliance isn’t optional. Regulations like GDPR hold every party accountable. A breach caused by weak security practices can lead to fines, lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny, even if the attack started elsewhere. How are supply chains attacked? Cyber criminals have always exploited weak links in supply chains, but AI has supercharged their methods. Here’s how attacks typically unfold today: Third-party software providers_ Attacks occur through malicious malware or counterfeit components embedded into software and stored in repositories that businesses regard as secure. The software is downloaded by users, which then installs both the software and the malicious malware within it. The compromised software is difficult to detect, so there is little clues for security teams to suspect it’s not legitimate. One significant example of this the Petya Ransomware outbreak, which hit businesses globally and infect millions of computers. Image from https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ Third-party data storage_ Many businesses store their data with third-party companies, which aggregate, store and process the data. However, some data storage providers are not fully secure and can be targeted by cyber criminals. They then have the potential to cause large scale fraud with other links of the supply chain. Image from https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ Websites_ Cyber criminals can easily access insecure websites and add redirect scripts, sending visitors to a malicious domain where malware is automatically downloaded. This could be the website of one of your third-party providers, which would then infect your business if your staff or clients visit the site. Image from https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ Watering holes_ A watering hole supply chain attack is where cyber criminals identify a website with high amounts of traffic. Typically, these include government, finance and healthcare websites. Once hacked, they use this website as a base to distribute malware. It then infects users’ devices and other related networks. Image from https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ What is the impact of a supply chain attack? A supply chain attack can have far-reaching consequences for organisations involved. Here are some of the potential impacts: Financial losses: An attack can bring direct costs (such as legal fees and system remediation) and indirect costs (loss of revenue due to disruption or reduced trust) to every member of the chain. You may also face fines if the attack leads to a breach, due to non-compliance to the likes of GDPR. Reputational damage: Customers, partners and investors may lose confidence if an attack leads to data loss or non-compliance. You may also face negative media coverage which can further damage trust in your business. Operational disruption: Individual businesses may face IT outages, data loss and system downtime if an attacker gets hold of their systems. This will reduce productivity, as employees wait for the issues to be rectified. Across the supply chain, you may also face shortages and delays, resulting in further disruption. Exposure of sensitive information: Customer data, intellectual property and financial information may be stolen and misused in the event of an attack, which can leave people susceptible to identity theft. Legal consequences: In the event of data breaches, affected or organisations may file lawsuits for damages. You’ll also face scrutiny from data protection and cyber security regulators. Preventing a supply chain attack_ Cyber threats aren’t new, but the way they’re evolving is. Traditional risks like malware and phishing remain, yet attackers now have access to advanced tools, including AI, that make exploits faster, smarter and harder to detect. This means businesses need to strengthen their defences across the entire supply chain. Here’s how to reduce your risk: 1. Build security into vendor agreements_ Your suppliers aren’t employees, but they handle your data. Include clear security requirements in contracts, covering data handling, compliance and emerging technologies like AI. Ask vendors how they manage risks from automation and shadow AI. 2. Use advanced endpoint protection_ Modern endpoint solutions, such as Microsoft Defender, can detect anomalies and block threats before they spread. Every device in your business should be protected and monitored. 3. Improve staff awareness_ Human error is still a leading cause of breaches. Train employees to spot phishing attempts, suspicious links and even AI-generated scams like deepfake emails or voice calls. Cyber Essentials certification is a great starting point. 4. Encrypt all devices_ Encryption ensures sensitive data remains unreadable if stolen. Combine this with strong access controls and monitoring for unusual activity. 5. Keep systems updated_ Attackers exploit outdated software. Enable automatic patching and updates across all systems to close vulnerabilities quickly. 6. Validate backups and recovery_ Don’t just back up – test your recovery process regularly. AI-driven attacks often target backup systems first, so ensure your disaster recovery plan is robust and isolated from production environments. Secure your supply chain_ Supply chain vulnerabilities are no longer limited to outdated software or weak vendor protocols. With AI tools now embedded – often invisibly – across business operations, the risk landscape is shifting fast. Employees may be using AI without oversight, and third-party providers might not be equipped to manage the new wave of threats. To stay secure, businesses need more than traditional cyber hygiene – they need AI-aware governance and partners who understand the risks of shadow AI. Ready to strengthen your security posture? If supply‑chain attacks have shown us anything, it’s that security needs to be practical, informed and continuously evolving. Get to Secure is our on‑demand video series featuring real‑world insights from security specialists and Microsoft experts, covering: Today’s most common and emerging cyber threats How attackers exploit supply chains and trusted relationships Practical steps to improve security across people, processes and technology What good cyber resilience looks like in the real world Watch the Get to Secure video series and take the next step towards a more secure, resilient organisation.