The latest whitepaper from MSP-ISAC, “Don’t Get Lost in the Cybersecurity Chain,” has been published. As organizations become increasingly digitally connected, security issues are felt throughout the chain and must be addressed collectively. This document provides crucial insights and practical tools for companies looking to meet the ever-stricter requirements regarding digital resilience. This theme is becoming increasingly complex due to the rapid evolution of regulations and the growing dependence on digital supply chain partners.
The whitepaper, developed through collaboration among various experts, including Kelvin Rorive, co-founder of the Cyber Chain Resilience Consortium (CCRC), addresses the crucial question of how companies can effectively manage the security risks arising from interdependence and emphasizes the importance of accountability in the chain of cyber resilience.
Supporting such an impactful project is a core part of our mission at CCRC: to contribute to a stronger, resilient cyber world where companies can trust and secure each other. We are therefore proud of the final result.
Key conclusions of the whitepaper:
1. Stricter regulations increase the pressure on supply chain validation.
New laws and regulations, such as DORA and the Cybersecurity Act (NIS2), impose high demands on organizations and their suppliers. This requires a well-coordinated and expert approach to effectively ensure cybersecurity within the supply chain.
2. Increase in questionnaires to assess cybersecurity burdens providers and consumers.
Organizations are overwhelmed with requests to validate cybersecurity measures. This not only creates work pressure but also leads to significant costs, jeopardizing efficiency and focus within companies.
3. Lack of expertise among consumers results in ineffective questionnaires.
Without specialized knowledge, consumers often create questionnaires that do not align with reality. This can result in missing crucial details and querying irrelevant information. The use of Generative AI can even exacerbate this problem if applied without the right knowledge.
4. Tools and existing initiatives can simplify validations.
There are various tools and initiatives available that enable consumers to conduct thorough validations, even without specialized knowledge.
5. Costs can be reduced for the entire supply chain - and for customers - through better collaboration.
By streamlining the validation process and collaborating more effectively, organizations can reduce costs across the entire supply chain, which not only enhances cyber resilience but also ultimately leads to more favorable prices for consumers.
Working together towards a cyber resilient future
The insights and recommendations from the whitepaper are important for everyone in the digital supply chain, from CISOs and compliance specialists to business leaders. The document calls for collaboration, where providers take their duty of care seriously and consumers ask targeted questions. By sharing knowledge and utilizing existing tools, we can together create a safer and more efficient digital ecosystem.
As CCRC, we are proud to have contributed to this whitepaper. Let’s continue to work together to strengthen the chain of cybersecurity!