MSPs ideally placed to improve supply chain resilience

The managed service community (MSP) knows only too well the determination of cyber criminals to seek out weak links to undertake supply chain attacks.

MSPs have known for some time that they are targets – in response, they have strengthened their defences and expect to justify their position with concerned customers. And, according to Proxoma research, an increasing number of CEOs are sharing that view.

The firm quizzed business leaders and found that more leaders direct funds towards improving supply chain resilience, with the harsh reality being that a few weeks of disruption would put significant amounts of revenue at risk if attacked.

Not only is there an opportunity for the channel – with its experience improving its own supply chain security – to improve resilience, but many customers are facing skill gaps that mean they lack the in-house resources to deal with the issue.

Simon Geale, executive vice-president at Proxima, said there was a desire among customers to get into a position where they could improve their confidence in their supply chain: “It is no secret that businesses are navigating a period of intense supply chain uncertainty. This research shows that CEOs are still very alert to disruption risk and that they are placing an increasing emphasis on building sustainable supply chain resilience to counteract.

“CEOs are further recognising the substantial costs and vulnerabilities their companies could face from supply chain disruption, and it is now clear many are willing to pay a premium to guard against that risk. Resilience has become a boardroom topic and a price worth paying.”

The movement by more C-level executives to recognise the challenges of supply chain security means that now is the ideal time for the channel to step in an offer solutions, added Sam Harris, senior vice-president at Proxima.

“Over the past 18 months, a series of high-profile cyber attacks have highlighted a growing reality: attackers increasingly target third-party suppliers and service providers as a route into large enterprises,” he said.

“Managed security services providers [MSSPs] can help reduce this risk by providing specialist expertise, 24/7 oversight and greater insight into vulnerabilities that exist across the supplier ecosystem.

“Done well, they enable organisations to identify threats earlier, respond faster when incidents occur and strengthen the resilience of the operations, revenue streams and customer relationships that matter most.”

He added that despite increased awareness, there was still a need for the channel to educate and address a mixed level of user attitudes towards investing in supply chain security: “The biggest obstacle is rarely technology – it’s mindset. The question is not whether organisations can improve their supply chain resilience, but whether they are willing to invest ahead of a crisis rather than after one.

“Too many still view security as a cost centre, when in reality it is a critical enabler of business resilience. The organisations that learn from recent incidents will strengthen their defences before they are tested; those that don’t may find the cost of prevention was far lower than the cost of recovery.”