Suppliers in the crosshairs: Cybercriminals strike specifically!

Suppliers in the crosshairs: Cybercriminals strike specifically!

companies have increasingly become the target of cybercrime about their supply chains. As reports vienna.at, the trend is that cybercriminals are concentrating on these vulnerable members, since main companies are usually better protected against attacks. According to the latest KPMG cybersecurity report, every third domestic supplier or service provider was already the goal of a cyber attack.

The effects of such attacks can be devastating and trigger a domino effect that can destabilize the entire supply chain. Almost 50% of the 1,400 companies surveyed expressed concerns that their suppliers do not comply with the same safety standards as themselves.

gratifying declines of successful attacks

Although the threat remains serious, statistics show that the proportion of successful cyber attacks has dropped. The report found that only every seventh attack is successful, compared to each sixth. The most common types of attack are phishing attacks and malware, each of which is 81% of the incidents. Scam calls and email fraud are also common methods with installments of 65% and 59%.

The motivation behind these attacks goes beyond data theft or ransomware. Cybercriminals are increasingly trying to manipulate entire business processes. The threat is particularly serious, since 28% of the attacks are now carried out by state -supported actors, which is more than twice as much as before.

Preparation level of Austria

A worrying trend is evident in the assessment of the criticism of the infrastructure in Austria. According to the survey, 55% of Austria surveyed consider it not well prepared for serious attacks on the critical infrastructure. Only 13% of the respondents believe that the country is well positioned in terms of these challenges.

In Germany, the cyber security situation is also closely observed. The BSI regularly publishes statistics on cyber security in the Federal Administration, which contain important key figures and trends. These reports are updated monthly or quarterly and not only offer data on cyber attacks, but also methodological information and definitions of relevant terms.

The increasing attacks on supply chains and the associated risks illustrate the need for a proactive approach to improve security standards across corporate borders. In view of the complexity and the sophistication of the attacks, close cooperation between companies, authorities and security experts will be essential.