Supply chain attacks: why trust is a security risk
Andrius Ulenskas
Technical Director, Hyve Managed Hosting
Modern organisations rely on complex networks of third-party vendors, software, and managed services to operate at scale. While this enables efficiency and innovation, it also expands the attack surface in ways that are not always visible or easily controlled. Supply chain attacks exploit this by targeting trusted relationships rather than breaching organisations directly.
In this insight, we discuss:
What is changing in supply chain attacks
The role of AI in evolving supply chain attacks
Why traditional approaches are being reassessed
Strengthening resilience across the supply chain lifecycle
What is changing in supply chain attacks
Supply chain threats have evolved into coordinated, scalable attacks targeting software ecosystems, identity systems, and automated deployment pipelines. Rather than focusing on single organisations, attackers increasingly compromise upstream components such as open-source dependencies, shared libraries, and build environments. A single breach at this level can cascade across multiple downstream organisations.
Identity-based attacks are also rising, with compromised credentials, API keys, and privileged tokens used to bypass traditional defences. Trusted software update mechanisms are a persistent risk, as automated updates and signed releases can still be abused when upstream environments are compromised.
A report by SecurityScorecard found that 78% of organisations’ cybersecurity programmes cover less than half of their vendor ecosystem. While direct suppliers are often well managed, indirect and fourth-party dependencies create blind spots which are difficult to address through traditional assurance models.
The role of AI in evolving supply chain attacks
Artificial intelligence is adding complexity to how attacks are developed and delivered. Tools which generate realistic communications are making it easier to impersonate trusted suppliers or internal contacts, increasing the success of phishing and fraud. Automated analysis of codebases and dependency trees is also accelerating the discovery of vulnerabilities in shared components, enabling earlier exploitation.
At the same time, AI-assisted phishing is increasing, with new delivery methods such as malicious calendar invites and image-based attachments designed to evade traditional controls. While similar technologies are improving detection and response, the accessibility and speed of these tools are contributing to a faster and less predictable threat environment.
This is occurring alongside a broader shift towards automation. According to Gartner, 60% of supply chain disruptions could be resolved without human intervention within the next decade, increasing reliance on systems that must themselves be trusted and secured.
Why traditional approaches are being reassessed
Periodic vendor audits and compliance checks are important, but they provide only a point-in-time view of risk. Supply chain threats are continuous and evolving, making static assessments insufficient on their own.
As a result, organisations are placing greater emphasis on continuous assurance, improved dependency mapping, and closer alignment between procurement, development, and security functions. This reflects a shift away from treating vendor risk as a standalone activity towards a more integrated model of operational resilience.
Strengthening resilience across the supply chain lifecycle
Mitigating supply chain risk requires layered controls across the full attack lifecycle:
Initial access and entry points: Phishing and credential compromise are common - recent reporting from Hoxhunt shows a sharp increase in AI-assisted phishing, alongside new formats designed to bypass traditional controls. Organisations are responding with layered email security and DNS filtering to reduce exposure.
Endpoint visibility and detection: Behaviour-based endpoint protection and centralised monitoring improve visibility across systems, supporting earlier detection of suspicious activity.
Third-party access controls: As vendor connectivity expands, micro-segmentation and multi-factor authentication are increasingly used to limit access and reduce the impact of credential theft.
Software supply chain integrity: Organisations are placing greater emphasis on update integrity, including malware scanning, digital signature verification, and monitoring for abnormal update behaviour.
Backup and recovery: Secure, regularly tested backups are critical for recovering from disruption caused by compromised dependencies or malicious updates.
Incident response: Despite stronger controls, organisations are planning for compromise scenarios, focusing on rapid isolation and tested recovery processes to minimise disruption.
Next steps
Supply chain attacks continue to evolve in scale and sophistication, requiring a more proactive and integrated approach to risk management. Organisations should prioritise continuous visibility across their vendor ecosystem, strengthen controls around identity and access, and improve oversight of software dependencies and update mechanisms.
Hyve Managed Hosting is a global hosting provider with a passion for exceptional customer service. Adopting a customer-centric approach, Hyve delivers a range of managed hosting services, from private cloud and enterprise cloud, to dedicated servers and security services, excelling in bespoke solutions and centralised management.
