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Your Vendors are Your Attack Surface: How to Determine Their Risk Impact

Your Vendors are Your Attack Surface: How to Determine Their Risk Impact The modern enterprise is a web of interconnected systems, and its security is only as strong as its weakest link. More often than not, that weakest link is a third-party vendor. Supply chain attacks, like the ones that have made headlines in recent years, have proven that a vendor's security is a direct reflection of your own. This isn't just about data breaches. A vendor's failure can trigger a domino effect, leading to operational disruptions, reputational damage, and severe financial and regulatory penalties. The challenge for today's cybersecurity teams is to move beyond the traditional, static view of vendor risk and embrace a more dynamic, continuous, and intelligence-driven approach. So, how do you determine the risk impact of a vendor in this hyper-connected world? The Vendor Risk Assessment: A Dynamic Process, Not a One-Time Event A Vendor Risk

By |2025-08-21T13:59:55+00:00August 21st, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

Ransomware: Is Your Strategy Battle-Ready?

Ransomware: Is Your Strategy Battle-Ready? The recent past has been littered with high-profile Ransomware attacks, turning what was once a niche concern into a board-level imperative. From the automotive industry to critical healthcare services, no sector is immune. The question is no longer "if" an attack will happen, but "when." This reality demands a proactive, tried, and tested strategy that goes beyond basic defences. The lack of clear and timely communication during an outage, regardless of the cause, can shatter brand trust and customer confidence. Just as an effective disaster recovery plan is crucial for business continuity, so is a transparent communication strategy to manage public perception and maintain stakeholder trust in the face of a crisis. The Evolving Threat: More Than Just File Encryption Today's Ransomware is a far more sophisticated beast than the crypto- and locker-based attacks of the past. While these two types still exist—crypto-Ransomware encrypting files

By |2025-08-19T06:47:44+00:00August 19th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

NIS2 Directive Readiness: Compliance, Challenges & Recommendations

NIS2 Directive Readiness: Compliance, Challenges & Recommendations In this dynamic environment, the NIS2 Directive stands as a pivotal piece of legislation, representing a significant stride forward in bolstering cybersecurity across the European Union. An updated iteration of the original Network and Information Systems (NIS) Directive, NIS2 imposes stricter requirements on a broader spectrum of essential and important entities, aiming to safeguard critical infrastructure from the ever-present and ever-evolving cyber threats. Achieving readiness for NIS2 compliance is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a strategic imperative for organisations to maintain operational continuity and protect their stakeholders. This article 'NIS2 Directive Readiness: Compliance, Challenges & Recommendations' delves into what NIS2 readiness entails, highlights the key challenges organisations face, and offers actionable recommendations for achieving robust compliance. Understanding NIS2 Compliance The NIS2 Directive significantly expands its scope beyond traditional sectors to encompass a wider array of industries deemed essential for societal functions. This

By |2025-06-10T09:32:55+00:00June 10th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

How Cyber Risk Ratings Drive DORA Compliance in 2025

How Cyber Risk Ratings Drive DORA Compliance in 2025 In the dynamic digital landscape of 2025, the drumbeat of cyberattacks continues to intensify, pushing regulatory bodies to fortify critical sectors. The European Union, recognising the existential threat posed to its financial stability, has introduced the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). This groundbreaking legislation, now a cornerstone of European financial security, aims to ensure that banks, insurance companies, investment firms, and their vital third-party ICT providers can withstand and swiftly recover from severe operational disruptions. For cybersecurity specialists, understanding and leveraging modern tools to achieve DORA compliance is paramount. DORA is more than just another regulatory hurdle; it's a unified commitment to operational resilience across the entire EU financial system. With the power to impose steep penalties—up to 1% of average daily worldwide turnover for non-compliance—DORA demands a proactive and comprehensive approach to risk management, rather than a reactive "minimum viable

By |2025-05-30T12:10:23+00:00May 30th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

The Digital Operational Resilience Act: Essential Guide – Part 2

The Digital Operational Resilience Act: Essential Guide - Part 2 The European financial sector faces increasing cyber threats and operational disruptions. Consequently, the sector is now subject to the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). This article, the second part of our essential guide, follows our initial overview of DORA in "Digital Operational Resilience Act: Essential Guide - Part 1". We now delve into the specific technical cybersecurity requirements and controls mandated by DORA. Our exploration will cover critical aspects including encryption, access control, network segmentation, real-time monitoring and threat detection systems. Financial entities must implement these systems to strengthen their digital defences. Furthermore, this article highlights the often-overlooked importance of contractual clauses with ICT providers. It also addresses the necessary resource allocation for testing and reporting as financial institutions actively navigate DORA compliance in 2025. DORA Cyber Security Requirements & Technical Controls DORA's technical security requirements establish prescriptive standards financial

By |2025-05-09T13:33:17+00:00May 9th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

The Digital Operational Resilience Act: Essential Guide – Part 1

The Digital Operational Resilience Act: Essential Guide - Part 1 The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), effective January 2025, imposes significant cybersecurity obligations on more than 21,000 EU financial institutions. It demands robust technical safeguards, rapid incident reporting (within four hours), structured risk management and third-party oversight. This technical guide breaks down DORA's compliance parameters and offers actionable implementation strategies for the 2025 deadline. Understanding the DORA Digital Operational Resilience Mandate The Digital Operational Resilience Act constitutes a paradigmatic recalibration in EU financial sector cybersecurity governance. Diverging from conventional regulatory frameworks predicated primarily on capital adequacy, DORA establishes technological resilience as a coequal determinant of financial stability in mitigating digital disruption vectors. What DORA Means for Financial Firms in 2025 Upon full implementation on 17 January 2025, DORA will impose rigorous operational resilience parameters across over 22,000 financial entities operating within EU jurisdictions. This regulatory perimeter extends to a diverse

By |2025-04-30T13:58:41+00:00April 30th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

Cultivating Your Digital Fitness Through Cyber Resilience

Cultivating Your Digital Fitness Through Cyber Resilience We often talk about cyber security in the language of physical health – computer "viruses," digital "hygiene." However, what happens when, despite our best efforts at washing our virtual hands and taking our digital vitamins, a threat still infiltrates our systems? This is where the crucial concept of cyber resilience comes into play – the ability to not only withstand attacks but to bounce back stronger and adapt to future threats. Indeed, even the most robust cyber security measures can be breached. Therefore, cyber resilience acknowledges this reality. It's the digital equivalent of recovering from an injury, whether it requires a simple digital bandage or more extensive system "surgery." Consequently, the key is having a plan in place before the inevitable happens. Today, in a landscape of ever evolving and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, cyber resilience is no longer a luxury;  rather, it’s

By |2025-04-10T11:31:25+00:00April 10th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

Do You Know These Secrets About Your Supply Chain?

Do You Know These Secrets About Your Supply Chain? In today's hyper-connected global economy, managing supply chain risk isn't just about knowing your immediate suppliers. It's about understanding the intricate web of extended supplier connections, stretching from your fourth-tier partners to potentially countless others. This complexity introduces unprecedented challenges for businesses striving for operational resilience and robust information security. The Limitations of Traditional Third-Party Management Many organisations believe they've tackled supply chain risk by meticulously mapping their direct third-party suppliers. However, this only scratches the surface. The real vulnerabilities lie in the 4th to Nth party connections , often invisible to traditional risk assessment methodologies. Why Extended Supplier Connections Matter Expanded Attack Surface: A breach at a distant supplier can ripple through the network, impacting your organisation's data and operations. Regulatory Compliance: Increasingly stringent regulations, like GDPR and ISO 27001, demand visibility into the entire supply chain, not just direct

By |2025-03-13T14:39:26+00:00March 13th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

Ransomware and Supply Chain: How Vendors Create Victims

Ransomware and Supply Chain: How Vendors Create Victims Ransomware attacks are a growing menace, causing significant disruption and financial loss. In 2024, these attacks reportedly cost businesses an estimated $9.5 trillion globally. This escalating trend highlights the critical need for robust cyber security strategies. A particularly concerning aspect is the vulnerability introduced through Supply Chain product vendors, who, inadvertently or otherwise, can become a gateway for Ransomware. The Role of Supply Chain Vendors Supply Chain vendors are integral to modern business, providing essential software and hardware components. However, this reliance creates a potential weak link. These vendors often possess sensitive information about their client organisations, making them attractive targets for cyber criminals. A compromised vendor can provide attackers with a foothold into multiple organisations simultaneously. Vendor-Related Risks: Several factors can increase the risk of Ransomware attacks originating from Supply Chain vendors: Unpatched Vulnerabilities: Vendors failing to promptly patch security flaws in their

By |2025-02-20T13:21:02+00:00February 20th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments

Building an Unbreakable Supply Chain Security System

Building an Unbreakable Supply Chain Security System A robust Supply Chain is the lifeblood of any successful business. However, this intricate web of suppliers, vendors and partners presents a significant vulnerability: security breaches. Recent high-profile attacks and alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive Supply Chain Security management. A CPG manufacturer's £22 million inventory cost saving through effective security exemplifies the tangible benefits, while the 2023 Security Breaches Survey highlights the alarming lack of minimum-security standards among UK businesses' suppliers. This article delves into the critical steps required to construct an "unbreakable" Supply Chain Security system, empowering your organisation to navigate the evolving threat landscape and safeguard your operations. The Alarming Reality: Identifying Supply Chain Threats The surge in Supply Chain attacks is staggering, with a 2,600% increase since 2018 and over 54 million victims in 2023 alone. The complexity of modern Supply Chains, relying heavily on interconnected suppliers,

By |2025-03-04T08:15:06+00:00February 4th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments