Shield Your School from Supply Chain Cyber Threats

Supply chain attacks are a growing concern for schools, as they can have a significant impact on the operations and security of the institution. A supply chain attack occurs when an attacker targets a third-party vendor or supplier that a school relies on in order to gain access to the school's network or steal sensitive information.

One way that schools can suffer from a supply chain attack is through malicious software, or malware. An attacker can target a school's third-party vendor by injecting malware into their software or systems. Once the vendor's systems are compromised, the attacker can then use the vendor's access to the school's network to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations. For example, an attacker might target a school's third-party vendor that provides the school's learning management system, and through the compromise, the attacker could gain access to the personal information of all students, staff, and faculty of the school.

Another way that schools can suffer from a supply chain attack is through phishing scams. An attacker can target a school's third-party vendor by sending phishing emails or messages to the vendor's employees. Once an employee falls for the scam, the attacker can then use their access to the vendor's systems to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations. For example, an attacker might target a school's third-party vendor that provides the school's email service, and through the compromise, the attacker could gain access to all the email communications of the school.

Schools can also be targeted via weak security protocols used by their vendors. For example, if a school's third-party vendor uses weak passwords or outdated software, an attacker can easily gain access to the vendor's systems and use that access to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations.

To protect against supply chain attacks, schools should conduct regular security assessments of their third-party vendors and suppliers. This includes reviewing vendor security policies, conducting background checks on key personnel, and conducting regular security audits of vendor systems and networks. In most countries, the assessment of vendor policies and contracts is a legal requirement, being part and parcel of privacy law. Most schools have well over two hundred vendors to assess, which is why many schools have chosen 9ine’s Vendor Assessment to automate this process. Furthermore, by using 9ine’s Vendor Assessment, your school has confidence in the depth of the assessment to comply with local legal requirements. Additionally, schools should also invest in security software and hardware, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, to help protect against cyberattacks.

In conclusion, supply chain attacks are a growing concern for schools, as they can have a significant impact on the operations and security of the institution. Schools should take proactive steps to protect against supply chain attacks, such as conducting regular security assessments of their third-party vendors and suppliers and investing in solutions such as 9ine’s Vendor Assessment platform. By implementing a comprehensive security strategy and staying vigilant, schools can help to ensure that they are protected against supply chain attacks and minimise the potential damage that can be caused by these threats.

9ine's Vendor Assessment Automation is freely available to our DPO Essentials clients. Registration for the free version for any school that isn't already a 9ine client can be located here.

Join us on February 22nd, 2023 for our webinar, "Vendor Assessment: Identifying and Mitigating Third-Party Risks." During the webinar, we will demonstrate how to implement a comprehensive security strategy and take proactive steps to protect against supply chain attacks and minimise the potential damage caused by these threats. You can join the webinar live or on-demand by using the buttons below.