Cyber Security Awareness Month: Understanding and Managing Supply Chain Risk
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month — the perfect time for businesses to take a closer look at one of the fastest-growing threats in today’s digital world: supply chain cyber risk.
What is Supply Chain Cyber Risk?
Your business relies on a range of suppliers, partners and software vendors to keep operations running smoothly. From cloud storage providers to payroll systems and accounting software, each link in this chain represents a potential entry point for cybercriminals.
Supply chain cyber risk refers to the possibility that one of your suppliers could be compromised, giving attackers indirect access to your systems or data. Recent incidents have shown how even trusted partners can become vectors for ransomware, data breaches or malware infections.
Why It Matters for Perth Businesses
No matter the size or industry, every organisation that connects digitally with others is exposed to supply chain threats. Whether you’re an accounting firm, healthcare provider, school, or construction company, your business could be impacted by a supplier’s weak cyber practices.
At Qbit IT Solutions, we’ve seen how quickly a single compromised vendor can cause widespread disruption. That’s why we work with clients across Perth to strengthen their business IT solutions, implement cyber security services, and monitor for threats hidden in their supply chain.
How to Manage Supply Chain Risk
According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), effective supply chain risk management involves:
- Understanding your suppliers – Identify who has access to your data or systems and what level of risk they pose.
- Setting clear security expectations – Include cyber security clauses in contracts and require suppliers to meet your standards.
- Regularly reviewing suppliers – Periodically assess their compliance with policies and monitor for suspicious activity.
- Using layered security measures – Protect your own network with robust endpoint protection, dark web monitoring, and regular backups.
- Educating staff and partners – Build awareness around phishing, social engineering, and data handling risks.
How Qbit Can Help
Qbit IT Solutions offers a full range of managed IT services Perth businesses trust, including cyber security for financial services, IT support for law firms, and dark web monitoring services.
Our team can help you evaluate your suppliers, identify vulnerabilities, and implement practical safeguards such as corporate cyber security frameworks, small business cyber security services, and IT support services Perth organisations rely on to stay secure and compliant.
Take Action This Cyber Security Awareness Month
Don’t wait for a breach to discover weaknesses in your supply chain. Let Qbit’s experts help you strengthen your cyber defences and protect your business from supplier-related threats.
Contact us today to schedule a cyber risk assessment or speak with our Perth-based team about how our business IT support Perth and managed IT support Perth services can help safeguard your organisation.