Supply Chain Security
What is Supply Chain Security?
Supply chain security is management of the supply chain that focuses on risk management of external suppliers, vendors, logistics, and transportation. It identifies, analyzes, and mitigates risks associated with working with outside organizations as part of your supply chain. It can include both physical security and cybersecurity for software and devices. Though there are no established one-size-fits-all guidelines for supply chain security, a complete strategy requires combining risk management principles with cyber defense while also taking governmental protocols into account.
How does supply chain security work?
Supply chain security protects physical integrity and defends against cyber threats. Physical threats encompass risks like theft, sabotage, and terrorism. Organizations can mitigate physical attacks through tracking and checking regulatory paperwork. Meanwhile, cyber threats have risen to the forefront of supply chain security risks, exposing vulnerabilities in IT and software systems through malware attacks, piracy, and unauthorized access.
Supply chain security in the digital sphere involves the use of third-party software, as well as close collaboration among businesses, suppliers, and resellers. When sensitive data is shared and networks become intertwined, a single breach can affect a much wider audience.
How do you secure a supply chain?
Risk management principles can help guide your strategy for identifying threats and other potential issues. Having an in-depth defense strategy can greatly improve overall supply chain security. Best practices for securing a supply chain include:
· Logging and tracking shipments
· Using locks and tamper-evident shipping seals
· Inspecting factories and warehouses
· Requiring background checks
· Using accredited and certified suppliers
· Performing security strategy assessments
· Performing penetration and vulnerability tests
· Authenticated data transmissions
· Deploying permissions or role-based data access
· Requiring minimum cybersecurity from vendors and resellers
· Regularly auditing open source and vendor source codes
· Using network-level scanning, behavioral analysis, and intrusion detection
· Formulating a response plan when threats are discovered
· Consulting governmental guidelines and regulations
Why is global supply chain security important?
Supply chain security should be prioritized because system breaches could damage, disrupt, or destroy operations. Vulnerabilities within a supply chain could lead to uncontrolled costs, inefficient delivery schedules, and a loss of intellectual property. Additionally, compromised products could be harmful to clients and to your business, leading to unwanted lawsuits if the supply chain is left unsecure. Security management systems can help protect supply chains for a more secure, efficient delivery of goods and can recover rapidly in the event of a disruption.
HPE and supply chain security
HPE is a leading provider of computing services that support a diverse range of use cases and deployment landscapes to deliver an edge-to-cloud, platform-as-a-service experience. The HPE Trusted Supply Chain initiative helps expand our offerings and improve end-to-end security, bringing new servers with built-in security to U.S. facilities with extensive sourcing, inspection, and traceability standards. The HPE Trusted Supply Chain initiative helps customers who prefer utilizing U.S.-sourced products with verifiable cyber assurance by expanding its supply chain’s security measures. That’s how HPE provides the most extensive line of made-in-the-USA industry-standard servers to date.