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Roughly a third of business executives have reported a noticeable increase in digital intrusions targeting their supply chains during the past six months, as high-profile cyber breaches on well-known companies have underscored this expanding threat to modern businesses.

Digital risks rise concern rankings for procurement managers

Cybersecurity threats have climbed the hierarchy of concerns for procurement managers at numerous businesses internationally across multiple sectors including industrial, energy and technology, according to latest sector analysis performed in September.

Major digital attacks result in significant financial losses

Latest security breaches at various major companies have cost them tens of millions of pounds, shifting digital security from being mostly the focus of technology teams to becoming a major concern for corporate boards and senior leaders.

The character of international commerce, the manner in which we view worldwide distribution systems and the digital logistics landscape are increasingly connected,

remarked a leading sector leader.

Geopolitical considerations intensify supply chain anxieties

During previous months, purchasing directors were notably worried about international tensions, including ongoing conflicts in multiple parts of the world, along with commercial regulations that affected worldwide business.

However, cyber threats are now rivalling global tensions and commercial conflicts as the primary danger for members of worldwide commercial organizations.

Research indicates broad impact

The research revealed that nearly 30% of executives stated that organizations within their supply chains had been attacked by digital attacks in previous months.

Major car manufacturing consequences

An important vehicle producer experienced manufacturing stoppages and was unable to build automobiles for four weeks, following a cyber-attack that compelled the organization to disable computer systems across several global facilities.

The financial consequences of this month-long manufacturing halt at the UK's biggest car manufacturer has been calculated at approximately one hundred twenty million pounds in foregone income, or one point seven billion pounds in foregone income, according to academic analysis from a business economics professor.

Latest global examples

In late September, a prominent Asian beverage company became the most recent business to be forced to stop production at its local plants following a security incident.

The organization, which operates several industrial sites in its home country producing alcoholic beverages and various goods, reported that its transaction handling functions, along with delivery systems and call center services, had been disrupted following a network disruption resulting from the security breach.

Increasing interconnectedness produces weaknesses

Companies are progressively enabled by external entities. Have disappeared the days of thinking an company as an unit operating in isolation.

Recent high-profile digital breaches have acted as a important lesson to businesses to devote funding to comprehensive cybersecurity measures, to protect their business activities and maintain consumer trust, prompting them to examine how their logistics networks could become potential targets for cyber criminals.