The hidden weak link – why third-party risks threaten your cyber resilience

Your cybersecurity is only as strong as your weakest link

You’ve invested in firewalls, endpoint security, and incident response plans. Your team is trained to recognize phishing emails. You’ve ensured compliance with NIS2 and other regulations.

But have you asked the same questions about the companies you rely on?

In today’s interconnected world, third-party risks remain one of the most overlooked yet dangerous cybersecurity gaps. Suppliers, service providers, and technology partners have access to your data, your infrastructure, and your operations. If they get breached, so do you. And under NIS2, that responsibility is now yours.

Third-party risk: The blind spot no one talks about

Some of the most disruptive cyberattacks in history didn’t target organizations directly but exploited weaknesses in their supply chain. The Target breach in 2013 exposed 40 million credit card details through a compromised HVAC vendor. The SolarWinds attack in 2020 used a trusted software update to infiltrate thousands of organizations. The Colonial Pipeline ransomware incident in 2021 started with a single compromised account, causing widespread fuel shortages.

These attacks didn’t happen because companies ignored cybersecurity. They happened because third-party security was assumed, not verified.

NIS2 raises the stakes

Until now, many companies treated third-party security as a secondary concern. That is no longer an option. Under NIS2, organizations are fully accountable for the cybersecurity of their entire supply chain. Risk assessments must be continuous, not occasional, and compliance is no longer just about internal systems.

This shift has significant implications. A supplier’s security failure can now lead to financial penalties, legal liability, and reputational damage for your business. If a third party suffers a breach that disrupts your operations, regulators will be asking what steps you took to prevent it.

Beyond compliance: Strengthening supply chain resilience

Relying on supplier contracts and security certifications is no longer enough. Organizations must take an active role in evaluating, testing, and monitoring third-party security. The key questions to ask:

• How frequently do our suppliers conduct independent security audits?

• What are their protocols for detecting and responding to cyber threats?

• If they were attacked tomorrow, how would it impact our business?

Supply chain security is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a business continuity issue. The companies that take a proactive approach will be the ones that remain operational when the next major third-party breach occurs.

Is your supply chain as secure as you think?

How well do you really know the security posture of your suppliers? Have you tested their resilience—or just assumed it’s in place? Cyber threats are not limited to your internal systems, and regulators won’t accept excuses when a third-party failure impacts your business.

It’s time to challenge assumptions and take action. Let’s discuss how to strengthen third-party security before it becomes your next crisis.