Nine Best Practices for Defending Against Supply Chain Attacks

At Kitu, we take pride in our commitment to excellence, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. In today's dynamic digital landscape, safeguarding systems against evolving threats is a top priority. This new blog series will explore cybersecurity issues that impact the software development world and share what we have learned so that organizations can take proactive steps to protect against them. 

What are Supply Chain Attacks?

While it has long become standard practice to safeguard systems against external threats, a new breed of attacks has emerged over recent years: supply chain attacks. These subtle, insidious breaches target the very foundation of digital infrastructure, making them a nightmare for both cybersecurity professionals and software developers. 

A supply chain attack refers to a type of cyberattack that exploits vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the supply chain of software, hardware, or services. These attacks can take various forms and target different points along the supply chain, with the primary aim of compromising an application, system, or network. Supply chain attacks can impact a wide range of industries including finance, healthcare, utilities, and government institutions, making them a ubiquitous threat in the modern world.

Understanding the Threat

Before you can protect against supply chain attacks, it is important to understand how they can take advantage of the modern software and system development process. The following list outlines some of the common targets for supply chain attacks and how they can be carried out. 

• Software Dependencies: In modern software development, dependencies are essential. Developers often rely on third-party libraries, modules, frameworks, and components to streamline their work. However, these dependencies also pose a risk. If a malicious actor infiltrates a trusted dependency, the threat can propagate throughout countless systems, compromising their integrity and security. 
  
  
• Build and Deploy Pipelines: Automated systems are commonly used to test, build, and deliver software through various pipelines. If a malicious actor infiltrates a pipeline, then it may be possible to inject malicious code into a "trusted" release of the software.
  
  
• Software Updates: By infiltrating the update process, malicious actors can distribute tainted versions of software to unsuspecting users. This is particularly concerning because users often assume that updates enhance security and even savvy users likely wouldn't expect a trusted update to inadvertently install malware. 
  
  
• Hardware Supply Chain: Beyond just software, hardware components are also susceptible to attacks. Malicious actors may manipulate the hardware supply chain to insert backdoors, implant spyware, or compromise the integrity of the devices themselves. 
  
  
• Insider Threats: Supply chain attacks can also originate from within an organization. Disgruntled employees or contractors may intentionally introduce vulnerabilities or malicious code into the supply chain, undermining security from the inside. 

Best Practices to Follow

While there is no "one size fits all" approach to defending against supply chain attacks, there are best practices that all organizations can implement to help fortify their defenses against such attacks. 

1. Vet Your Suppliers: Thoroughly vet your suppliers, whether they are software vendors, hardware manufacturers, or service providers. Evaluate their security practices, perform background checks, and inquire about their cybersecurity measures. Trustworthy suppliers are an essential first line of defense.
   
   
2. Secure Software Development Lifecycle: For software developers, adopting a secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) is crucial. This entails conducting regular security assessments, code reviews, and vulnerability scanning of both in-house code and third-party dependencies. Make sure to update dependencies regularly and consider using tools like software composition analysis (SCA) to identify vulnerable components. 
   
   
3. Code Signing: Implement code signing for your software. This ensures that only trusted and verified code is executed on your systems. Code signing certificates can help to reduce the risk of malicious software updates slipping through.
   
   
4. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): Embrace a zero-trust architecture, which assumes that threats can originate from anywhere, including within your network. Implement strong access controls, robust authentication mechanisms and encryption to minimize the impact of supply chain breaches. 
   
   
5. Secure Supply Chain Processes: Secure your supply chain processes from end to end. Ensure that the transportation, storage, and installation of hardware and software components of tamper-evident. Implement strict access controls and monitoring at critical points in the supply chain. 
   
   
6. Continuous Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring of your supply chain. This involves actively tracking and assessing the security posture of your suppliers, regularly auditing their practices, and staying informed about potential vulnerabilities and threats.
   
   
7. Employee Training: Train your employees and contractors about the risks of supply chain attacks and how to recognize and report suspicious activity. Foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your organization.
   
   
8. Incident Response Plan: Develop a robust incident response plan that specifically addresses supply chain breaches. Prepare for the worst-case scenario, including the potential compromise of trusted suppliers. Timely detection and response can minimize the damage caused by such attacks.
   
   
9. Regulatory Compliance: Stay abreast of industry regulations and compliance requirements related to supply chain security. Ensure that your organization adheres to these standards to avoid legal and reputational risks.  

Supply chain attacks are a formidable adversary in the world of cybersecurity and software development. They strike at the very heart of our digital infrastructure, exploiting vulnerabilities in logistical components to infiltrate systems and compromise data. To defend against these threats, organizations must adopt a proactive and comprehensive approach to supply chain security. By vetting suppliers, continuously monitoring the supply chain, securing software development practices, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, you can fortify your defenses to better protect your digital fortress from the ever-evolving threat of supply chain attacks. Remember, in the world of cybersecurity, the chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

In the next segment of our Cybersecurity blog series, we will focus on a specific type of supply chain attack targeting the Node Package Manager (NPM): NPM Manifest Confusion.

Author: George Cagle, Kitu's Director of Platform Engineering