Process and Control Today | Cyber-attacks via supply chain entirely avoidable, says cybersecurity expert
Publish Date: 2026-06-08 00:00:00
Source Domain: www.pandct.com
08/06/2026 Cybit
Ben Large, Head of Cyber at Cybit, says there is glaring disparity between prevalence and preventative measures, but that AI could be a game-changer
Cybersecurity expert Ben Large, Head of Cyber at one of the country’s leading technology solutions firms, Cybit, says the government’s 2026 cybersecurity survey highlights the gap between supply chain vulnerabilities and the level of preventative measures taken by medium and large firms.
The survey reports that only 15% of companies review immediate suppliers’ cyber risks, and just 6% review wider supply chain cyber risks.
Yet all evidence points to the supply chain being a focal point for cyber-attacks, as highlighted by last year’s attack on Jaguar Land Rover, which halted production for several weeks and resulted in a direct cost to the company of almost £200 million, and cost an estimated £2 billion to the wider UK economy.
Ben Large commented; “It’s no longer enough to keep just your own systems and networks secure. Most organisations rely on connections to their supply chains, so strict access controls and continuous monitoring are now essential.
“Despite three quarters of UK businesses having basic cyber security provision such as password policies, restricted admin rights, and firewalls, the vast majority are neglecting to consider the risks for business continuity when it comes to their supply chain.
“This leaves them not only vulnerable to an attack themselves but also risking business continuity if there is an attack on suppliers, putting a question mark over their whole supply chain resilience.
“Although cyber security is seen as an IT challenge, this makes it a risk factor across the whole business, requiring planning and buy in from a much wider range of departments.”
Recent high-profile attacks through their supply chain network also…
