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Approximately 30% of company heads have reported a significant increase in cyber-attacks targeting their supply chains during the past six months, as high-profile security incidents on well-known companies have underscored this expanding danger to today's organizations.

Cyber threats move up priority lists for purchasing directors

Online protection issues have advanced the ranking of priorities for supply chain executives at hundreds companies worldwide across multiple sectors including industrial, power and tech, according to latest industry research conducted in early autumn.

Major cyber incidents result in substantial economic damage

Current security breaches at multiple major corporations have cost them substantial sums of money, shifting digital security from being primarily the focus of digital security units to becoming a primary concern for corporate boards and top executives.

The character of worldwide business, the manner in which we view worldwide distribution systems and the digital distribution framework are increasingly linked,

remarked a leading professional association head.

Global elements compound supply chain concerns

In the first half, procurement executives were particularly anxious about global conflicts, including persistent disputes in multiple regions, along with international tariff measures that impacted worldwide business.

Nevertheless, cyber threats are now competing with international conflicts and tariff disputes as the main danger for members of international trade associations.

Study shows broad impact

The research found that nearly 30% of executives indicated that companies within their supply chains had been attacked by cyber incidents in previous months.

Substantial vehicle production impact

One prominent automotive manufacturer experienced manufacturing stoppages and was found itself incapable to produce vehicles for four weeks, following a digital breach that required the business to disable computer systems across multiple international locations.

The financial consequences of this 30-day manufacturing halt at the United Kingdom's primary vehicle producer has been calculated at approximately £120 million in foregone income, or one point seven billion pounds in missed sales, according to university research from a commercial economics expert.

Current global cases

During the autumn, a prominent international drinks manufacturer became the most recent organization to be compelled to halt manufacturing at its local plants following a digital breach.

The company, which manages numerous industrial sites in its home country producing beer and other products, announced that its sales management systems, along with distribution activities and call center operations, had been disrupted following a network disruption triggered by the cyber-attack.

Expanding connectivity produces risks

Businesses are increasingly supported by other organizations. Gone are the days of considering an business as an entity operating in isolation.

Latest prominent digital breaches have served as a clear warning to companies to allocate resources to comprehensive cybersecurity measures, to protect their internal functions and preserve consumer trust, leading them to analyze how their logistics networks could become potential objectives for hackers.