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Approximately 30% of company heads have reported a noticeable rise in digital intrusions targeting their distribution systems during the previous half-year, as high-profile digital attacks on well-known companies have underscored this increasing threat to today's organizations.

Online security issues rise priority lists for procurement managers

Digital security concerns have moved up the hierarchy of concerns for procurement managers at hundreds businesses worldwide across diverse business fields including production, energy and tech, according to recent industry research performed in early autumn.

Major digital attacks lead to significant financial losses

Latest security breaches at various well-known corporations have led to financial impacts of substantial sums of pounds, moving digital security from being primarily the responsibility of digital security units to becoming a major concern for senior management and top executives.

The character of worldwide business, the way we view worldwide distribution systems and the online supply environment are progressively linked,

remarked a leading industry executive.

Geopolitical factors compound logistics anxieties

In the first half, purchasing directors were especially worried about global conflicts, including persistent disputes in multiple regions, along with trade policies that affected international trade.

However, online attacks are now rivalling international conflicts and trade disagreements as the primary risk for participants of international trade associations.

Survey indicates extensive consequences

The research revealed that nearly 30% of managers reported that organizations within their supply chains had been attacked by cyber incidents in recent months.

Major vehicle production impact

An important automotive manufacturer experienced factory closures and was unable to produce vehicles for four weeks, following a digital breach that compelled the organization to turn off IT networks across several global facilities.

The financial consequences of this four-week production shutdown at the UK's biggest car manufacturer has been projected at approximately 120 million pounds in foregone income, or one point seven billion pounds in lost revenues, according to university research from a commercial economics academic.

Recent worldwide cases

During the autumn, a major Asian beverage company became the latest corporation to be required to cease operations at its domestic factories following a cyber-attack.

The organization, which operates multiple manufacturing plants in its home country producing alcoholic beverages and additional items, reported that its sales management systems, along with delivery systems and client support services, had been halted following a technical failure triggered by the cyber-attack.

Growing interconnectedness creates risks

Companies are more and more assisted by partner companies. Have disappeared the era of thinking an organization as an entity operating in isolation.

Current high-profile cyber-attacks have served as a strong reminder to companies to invest in robust online protection systems, to protect their internal functions and preserve consumer trust, leading them to analyze how their supply chains could become possible objectives for hackers.