Approximately a third of business leaders observe increase in online breaches on supply chains

Approximately 30% of corporate leaders have reported a significant surge in digital intrusions targeting their distribution systems during the previous half-year, as high-profile security incidents on well-known companies have emphasized this growing risk to modern businesses.

Digital risks climb priority lists for purchasing directors

Digital security concerns have climbed the ranking of priorities for purchasing directors at multiple organizations internationally across diverse business fields including production, energy and technology, according to latest industry research performed in September.

High-profile cyber incidents cause significant economic damage

Current digital intrusions at various major businesses have cost them substantial sums of currency, shifting digital security from being mainly the responsibility of IT departments to becoming a major priority for corporate boards and senior leaders.

The essence of global trade, the way we view worldwide distribution systems and the technological supply environment are ever more interconnected,

remarked a senior sector leader.

International considerations add to logistics concerns

Earlier this year, supply chain managers were notably worried about global conflicts, including ongoing disputes in various areas, along with international tariff measures that affected worldwide business.

Nonetheless, cyber threats are now rivalling geopolitical shocks and commercial conflicts as the primary threat for participants of international trade associations.

Research shows broad effect

The survey discovered that 29% of directors reported that organizations within their distribution systems had been compromised by digital attacks in the past few months.

Major automotive consequences

A notable vehicle producer experienced factory closures and was could not to build automobiles for four weeks, following a security incident that forced the business to disable IT networks across several international locations.

The financial consequences of this four-week manufacturing halt at the UK's biggest automotive employer has been estimated at approximately 120 million pounds in lost profits, or £1.7 billion in missed sales, according to expert assessment from a commercial economics professor.

Recent global incidents

In late September, a major Asian beverage company became the latest business to be forced to cease operations at its local plants following a security incident.

The company, which manages numerous production facilities in its home country producing beer and additional items, announced that its sales management systems, along with delivery systems and client support services, had been disrupted following a systems outage resulting from the cyber-attack.

Increasing interconnectedness creates weaknesses

Businesses are progressively assisted by partner companies. Have disappeared the days of considering an company as an unit working in independence.

Current high-profile digital breaches have functioned as a strong reminder to businesses to allocate resources to robust online protection systems, to safeguard their internal functions and preserve client faith, leading them to investigate how their logistics networks could become likely targets for digital attackers.