Supply chain attacks have become one of the fastest-growing threats in the cybersecurity world. These attacks don’t just target your company directly—they slip in through trusted vendors, software updates, and other back doors most people forget to lock. And the numbers? They’re more alarming than ever. In this article, we’ll walk through 30 critical stats, each one a window into how widespread and dangerous supply chain attacks have become. More importantly, we’ll give you clear, simple, and practical steps to protect your business. Let’s dive in.
1. Supply chain attacks increased by over 600% in 2021 compared to the previous year
That’s not just a small spike—it’s an explosion. When something grows by 600% in just one year, it’s no longer a future threat. It’s already here. This kind of jump shows how attractive supply chain targets have become for hackers.
Instead of trying to break into one big, well-guarded system, attackers now focus on smaller, weaker links in the chain—vendors, suppliers, and partners who might not have the same level of security as you.
Why is this so effective? Because trust is often assumed. Companies allow external partners to access systems, install software, or exchange data. Attackers exploit that trust, and it works. That’s why you need to evaluate your vendors like you evaluate your own defenses.
What can you do right now? Start with a full audit of your supply chain. Map out every vendor that connects to your systems or has access to your data. Rank them by risk—who has the most access or sensitive roles?
From there, start talking to them. Ask about their security practices. If they don’t have good answers, it’s a red flag. Finally, add monitoring tools that flag strange behavior, even from “trusted” partners.
2. 62% of organizations were targeted by supply chain attacks in 2022
That means more than half of all companies were hit—large, small, across industries. You might think you’re not a target, but the numbers say otherwise. This stat tells us that supply chain attacks aren’t just rare, sophisticated operations. They’re happening all the time, to almost everyone.
This frequency also shows that attackers are refining their methods. They’re using phishing, malware-infected updates, and other techniques that are hard to detect.
And once they’re in, they can quietly move through your systems without raising alarms—because they’re coming from a “known” source.
What should you do? Accept that it’s not “if” but “when.” Set up alerts not just for direct attacks, but also for third-party access. Consider running attack simulations that focus on vendor compromise.
Educate your employees and IT staff to recognize the signs of unusual activity, especially when it involves external connections. Make vendor-related security a core part of your risk planning.
3. 93% of companies suffered a direct breach due to a supply chain partner
This is a wake-up call. Nearly every company that got breached can trace it back to someone they were working with. Not a random attacker. Not a disgruntled employee.
But a partner. It’s hard to imagine that someone you hired or collaborated with could be the doorway to a cyber disaster, but this stat confirms that’s often the case.
It’s not always intentional, either. Many vendors simply don’t have the same security standards. They might have reused passwords, failed to patch systems, or opened phishing emails. When that happens, their problem becomes your problem.
Here’s what to do about it. Start inserting cybersecurity clauses in every vendor contract. Make sure they agree to follow certain best practices—like using multi-factor authentication, encryption, and regular audits.
If they refuse, find another vendor. You should also include the right to perform periodic checks or receive security reports. If they don’t take their own security seriously, they can’t be trusted with yours.
4. 50% of all data breaches involve a third party
That’s half of all breaches—meaning the problem is as big as internal threats, if not bigger. Whether it’s a software vendor, cloud provider, or a small contractor, the connections you have with others can become weak points. Hackers know this, and they take full advantage of it.
This stat proves that security doesn’t stop at your firewall. You need to extend your defenses across every third-party relationship. It’s not enough to protect just your own systems—you need to protect your entire digital ecosystem.
One way to reduce the risk is to segment your network. Don’t give third parties more access than they need. Limit what they can see or change. Also, consider tools that monitor third-party behavior and trigger alerts if anything unusual happens.
Finally, be careful with shared credentials. Every outside user should have unique logins, with tight permissions.
5. 66% of supply chain attacks target software vendors
Software vendors are a favorite target because their tools are often deeply embedded in client systems. If attackers can compromise the vendor, they can slip malicious code into software updates.
These updates are then downloaded by clients—without suspicion. That’s what happened in some of the most high-profile supply chain breaches in recent years.
You trust that your software updates are clean. Attackers rely on that trust. When a vendor gets compromised, the breach spreads fast—and widely.
To defend against this, treat every update like a potential threat. Set up sandbox testing environments where updates can be safely analyzed before they go live.
Ask vendors about their software development practices. Do they check for vulnerabilities? Do they use code signing? If not, pressure them to improve or switch to someone who does.
6. 40% of supply chain attacks remain undetected for over 6 months
This stat is especially scary. Half a year is a long time for an attacker to sit quietly in your system, watching, stealing, or planting more malicious tools. The longer an attack goes undetected, the more damage it can cause—and the harder it is to clean up afterward.
Most organizations don’t even know something is wrong until they see data missing or systems failing. By then, it’s often too late.
You need better visibility into what’s happening inside your systems. Use tools that give you real-time monitoring and logging. Regularly audit your systems for signs of tampering or unknown software.
Even if everything looks fine on the surface, dig deeper. And don’t forget to extend this monitoring to your vendors, especially those with high-level access.
7. 70% of organizations lack complete visibility into their third-party vendors
This means that most companies don’t actually know what’s happening in their supply chain.
They might know who their vendors are, but they have no clear picture of what data those vendors can access, what systems they interact with, or how secure their environments are.
This kind of blind spot is dangerous. If you don’t know what a vendor is doing or what parts of your system they can touch, you can’t possibly protect yourself from the risks they carry.
It also makes incident response much harder—because you don’t even know where to start looking if something goes wrong.
To fix this, create a vendor visibility map. Document each vendor, the services they provide, and the exact systems or data they interact with. Use access logs and API tracking to gain real-time awareness of their activity.
For critical vendors, request regular security assessments and reports. Visibility isn’t a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process that should be built into your vendor management workflow.
8. Average cost of a supply chain attack breach exceeds $4.5 million
That number includes not just the cost of fixing systems, but also lost business, legal fees, and long-term brand damage. These attacks hit deep, and recovery can take months or even years.
The financial damage is real—and it affects everyone from startups to global enterprises.
What makes these breaches so expensive is how far they spread. When an attacker gets in through a supply chain partner, they often reach multiple parts of the organization before being detected.
That means multiple systems need cleanup, and the response effort is wide and complex.
To avoid this, invest in prevention. Yes, security software and risk assessments cost money—but that’s nothing compared to a multi-million dollar breach. Also, set aside an incident response budget.
When things go wrong, having a plan and the resources to act fast can reduce the total damage. Make sure your cyber insurance covers third-party risks too.
9. 80% of organizations experienced a third-party related cybersecurity incident in the past 12 months
That’s eight out of ten companies dealing with fallout from someone else’s security lapse.
These incidents might not all be full-blown breaches—but they include things like unauthorized access, data exposure, or service disruptions caused by vendors or contractors.
It shows that even if you’re doing everything right, someone else’s mistake can still hurt you. And since most businesses work with dozens, sometimes hundreds of external partners, the odds of one of them slipping up are high.
To manage this, improve your onboarding process. Don’t just check vendor credentials—evaluate their security posture before signing a contract. Make them fill out security questionnaires.
Use third-party risk management tools to continuously monitor vendor behavior. If you spot a weakness, act quickly. Either work with the vendor to improve security, or limit their access until they’ve fixed the issue.
10. 30% of ransomware attacks in 2022 originated from supply chain vulnerabilities
Ransomware is one of the most damaging types of attacks—and nearly a third of them started from a third-party vulnerability. That’s a huge chunk. These attacks often use compromised software or stolen vendor credentials to get into systems, encrypt files, and demand payment.
Once ransomware hits, recovery is slow, stressful, and costly. It can stop operations, freeze data, and even shut down entire networks.
What’s the lesson here? Don’t just prepare to stop ransomware—work to block the entry points it uses. Make sure all third-party software is kept up to date. Require vendors to use strong authentication and endpoint protection. And train your staff to be alert for phishing emails pretending to be from trusted partners. Those are common delivery methods for ransomware.
11. 61% of supply chain attacks exploit trusted vendor software updates
Software updates are supposed to keep systems secure. But when attackers compromise the vendor’s software development pipeline, they can inject malicious code into an update that goes out to every customer.
It’s clever—and very dangerous—because the customer installs the threat themselves, without knowing it.
This stat is a reminder that attackers are targeting not just systems, but processes. They’re going upstream, where software is made, so they can reach downstream users invisibly.
To reduce risk, adopt a zero trust mindset, even with updates. Don’t auto-install updates without testing them in a secure environment first.
Require code-signing verification. And talk to your vendors—ask them if they use secure development practices like source code scanning, developer access controls, and continuous monitoring of build environments.
12. 75% of security professionals say their organization is at greater risk due to complex supply chains
As businesses grow and rely on more digital tools, supply chains get more complicated. That means more vendors, more access points, and more chances for something to go wrong. Most security experts now agree that this growing complexity is increasing their organization’s risk.
It’s easy to see why. Managing 5 vendors is simple. Managing 50 is not. And the more people and systems you connect to, the harder it is to monitor and secure everything.
To manage complexity, simplify where you can. Consolidate vendors when possible. Choose partners that offer secure, multi-functional services so you don’t need five separate tools.
Use automated risk scoring to prioritize where to focus your security efforts. And keep your internal team trained and informed. Even the best tools won’t help if your people don’t understand the risks of a sprawling vendor network.
13. 90% of supply chain attacks are financially motivated
Cybercriminals aren’t usually after espionage or sabotage. They want money. Whether it’s ransom payments, stolen credit card numbers, or valuable data they can sell—most supply chain attacks are all about the payout.
This stat makes it clear: these attackers are running businesses. They go after easy targets with high returns. If your supply chain is weak, you’ve become one of those targets.
So think like them. Ask yourself, “Where in my supply chain is the easiest path to profit for an attacker?” That might be a third-party payroll provider, or a contractor with access to customer data. Strengthen those spots first. Make it harder for attackers to get what they want, and many of them will move on.
14. 45% of organizations do not assess third-party security practices
That’s nearly half of all businesses working with vendors they haven’t fully vetted. It’s like inviting someone into your home without asking if they’ll lock the door behind them.
If you’re not evaluating your vendors’ security, you’re not managing risk—you’re just hoping for the best. And that’s not a strategy.
Start with a simple questionnaire. Ask your vendors about their security policies, access controls, and breach history. If they’re serious about security, they’ll have answers.
If not, you need to know that before trusting them with sensitive access. Also consider using third-party tools that automatically assess and monitor vendor risk based on publicly available data, incidents, and reputation.
15. 59% of supply chain attacks exploit open-source components
Open-source software is everywhere. It powers websites, apps, and enterprise systems. But it’s not always secure. Anyone can contribute code, and sometimes that code has bugs—or hidden threats.
Attackers look for vulnerabilities in popular open-source tools because they know many companies won’t notice until it’s too late.
You can’t avoid open-source, and you shouldn’t try. But you do need to manage it carefully. Use software composition analysis tools to track every open-source component in your systems.
Make sure your team is monitoring vulnerability databases so you can patch known issues quickly. And don’t use open-source libraries that haven’t been updated in years—that’s a big red flag.
16. 25% of malicious activity in the cloud stems from supply chain compromise
Cloud services make running a business easier, but they also bring new risks. A quarter of the malicious activity in cloud environments doesn’t come from direct attacks—it comes through third parties. This means someone your business trusts is often the starting point.
Cloud systems are deeply interconnected. Vendors often get access to your cloud environment to deliver their services, manage updates, or integrate with your workflows. If those vendors get compromised, attackers can pivot into your systems unnoticed.
To protect yourself, limit vendor permissions in the cloud. Use the principle of least privilege—only give vendors the minimum access they need. Regularly review those access levels.
Also, monitor your cloud activity closely. Set alerts for unusual behavior, especially from third-party accounts or APIs. And always ensure vendor accounts use strong authentication.
17. 69% of companies don’t have a formal supply chain risk management strategy
This is a big miss. Without a formal strategy, most companies are just reacting when something goes wrong instead of planning ahead.
Risk management isn’t just about checking off boxes—it’s about knowing where your weak spots are and preparing for them before they’re exploited.
This stat shows that most organizations haven’t put in the time to create a structure around supply chain security. They may have general policies or vague guidelines, but no clear, consistent process to identify, evaluate, and respond to supply chain threats.
Now’s the time to change that. Create a formal risk management strategy focused on your supply chain. Define how you assess new vendors, how often you re-evaluate them, and what triggers a deeper review.
Include steps for incident response if a vendor gets breached. Document it all and make sure your teams follow it. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to exist and improve over time.
18. 85% of software supply chain attacks go undetected until significant damage is done
That’s a troubling figure. Most organizations only find out they were attacked after data is stolen, systems are compromised, or something breaks. By then, the attackers have already gotten what they came for.
Why does this happen? Because these attacks are stealthy. They often hide inside legitimate software, updates, or code dependencies. They don’t trigger alarms right away.
Your goal should be early detection. Use behavior-based security tools that spot unusual actions—not just known threats. Set up anomaly detection for traffic, software behavior, and system changes.
Also, conduct regular security testing of your applications and code. And when you update software, track how it behaves afterward. If something feels off, investigate immediately. Trust your gut and your tools.
19. The average time to contain a supply chain breach is 280 days
That’s more than nine months. Imagine someone quietly stealing from your house for that long before you notice. During that time, attackers can move across systems, steal data, set traps, and open new backdoors.
Containing a breach doesn’t mean stopping the first sign of trouble—it means finding all the ways the attacker spread, shutting them out completely, and securing the gaps they used.
To shorten this time, you need a strong incident response plan tailored to supply chain breaches. Who will take charge? How will you communicate with vendors and customers?
What steps will you take to isolate systems, notify stakeholders, and rebuild safely? Practice your plan with simulations. The faster you respond, the less damage you’ll take—and the more trust you’ll keep.
20. 54% of CISOs consider supply chain threats their top concern
This tells us that the people who know security best are deeply worried about the supply chain. More than half of Chief Information Security Officers see it as the biggest risk they face.
That’s because even with strong internal defenses, third parties can create new holes. The problem is bigger than just one department—it affects legal, procurement, IT, and leadership.
If your leadership isn’t already paying attention, use this stat to start the conversation. Bring your CISO, CIO, and legal team together. Explain the risks in simple terms.
Push for a budget increase or policy change. Help everyone understand that supply chain security isn’t just an IT problem—it’s a business-wide priority.
21. 32% of supply chain attacks result in regulatory fines or penalties
When things go wrong, it’s not just your systems or data at risk—it’s your legal standing. Nearly one-third of supply chain attacks end with some kind of regulatory consequence. That could mean fines for data loss, violations of GDPR, HIPAA, or other industry-specific rules.
You may think the responsibility falls on the vendor, but in many cases, the law holds your company accountable for protecting customer data—no matter who leaked it.
Make compliance part of your vendor risk management. Ask vendors about their regulatory posture. Ensure contracts spell out who is responsible for what.
And keep documentation showing that you took reasonable steps to evaluate and monitor vendors. If you do end up in a regulatory review, that paper trail can make a big difference.
22. 49% of affected companies lose business or customer trust due to supply chain breaches
When customers hear about a breach, they don’t care where it started—they care that it happened. Nearly half of companies hit by supply chain attacks lose business or damage their reputation.
Trust is fragile. And once it’s gone, it’s hard to rebuild. Even if the breach wasn’t directly your fault, customers still expect you to take responsibility.
The best way to keep trust is to prevent the breach in the first place. But if something does happen, how you respond matters just as much. Be transparent. Notify affected parties quickly.
Explain what you’re doing to fix it. And show a clear plan to prevent it from happening again. That’s how you turn a crisis into a chance to prove your integrity.
23. 35% of attacks on critical infrastructure involve third-party vulnerabilities
Critical infrastructure—things like energy, water, transportation, and healthcare—is a prime target. And more than a third of attacks on these systems come through the supply chain.
This raises the stakes. A breach in these sectors isn’t just about money—it can threaten public safety, national security, or people’s lives.
If you’re in a critical sector, supply chain security must be treated as part of your core risk management. Require all vendors to follow strict guidelines. Conduct joint risk assessments.
And ensure there’s full traceability across the systems they access. Even small contractors can open big doors—so treat every connection like a potential threat.
24. 20% of global data breaches in 2023 involved software supply chain weaknesses
One in five breaches around the world happened because of weaknesses in how software is developed, distributed, or updated. That includes bugs in code, insecure development pipelines, and malicious dependencies.
The software you rely on can be a hidden risk if you don’t know where it came from or how it was built. Attackers understand this, and they take advantage of the long chain of tools and people involved in software production.
To defend against this, embrace software supply chain security. Use secure coding practices. Choose vendors who follow frameworks like SLSA (Supply chain Levels for Software Artifacts).
Track every component in your software and ensure they’re regularly reviewed and updated. If you build software in-house, secure your development environment just as carefully as your production systems.
25. 58% of organizations plan to increase investment in supply chain security
This stat is encouraging. More than half of businesses are waking up to the threat and putting real money behind it. That means better tools, more training, and stronger policies.
If you’re not in that 58%, ask why. What’s stopping you? Budget? Leadership buy-in? Now’s the time to make the case. Use these stats. Show the potential cost of doing nothing. Propose small but effective steps—like third-party monitoring, contract updates, or security awareness programs.
Even modest investment can go a long way if it’s targeted. You don’t need to overhaul everything at once—just start building momentum.
26. 71% of security leaders believe the risk of supply chain attacks will increase in the next 2 years
This is more than just a prediction—it’s a warning from those on the front lines. Most security leaders see the threat of supply chain attacks growing, not shrinking. That means today’s defenses won’t be enough tomorrow.
Why are things getting worse? Because the supply chain is getting bigger and more digital. Remote work, cloud computing, and global partnerships are adding new layers of complexity. Every new connection is a potential new risk.
So what should you do about it? Plan for the future. Build security that can grow with your business. Start shifting to zero trust architecture, where no user or system—internal or external—is trusted by default.
Emphasize vendor transparency. And push for security practices that keep pace with how fast the threat landscape is evolving. Don’t wait for things to break. Start adjusting now.
27. 87% of supply chain compromises involve phishing or credential abuse at some stage
Phishing and credential theft are still the top tools for attackers—and they work. In most supply chain breaches, someone along the line clicked a fake link, entered their password into a spoofed site, or had their credentials stolen through weak security.
These tactics are simple, but they’re powerful because they target people, not just systems. It only takes one person making one mistake to open the door.
To protect your organization, keep human error in check. Train your teams—especially those working with vendors—to spot phishing attempts. Use multi-factor authentication everywhere.
Monitor for compromised credentials. And make sure vendors are following the same rules. Just because someone works for another company doesn’t mean their mistakes can’t become your problem.
28. 60% of businesses fail to reassess vendor risk after a breach
This stat is a quiet red flag. After going through a breach, you’d expect a company to tighten everything up. But most don’t go back and take a fresh look at their vendors, even though that’s often where the breach started.
Maybe they’re too focused on fixing internal systems. Maybe they assume it won’t happen again. But skipping the post-breach reassessment leaves the same door open for a second hit.
If your business ever experiences a security incident—no matter how small—add a full vendor review to your response checklist. Look at who had access, what was exposed, and whether the breach came through a third-party tool or partner.
Even if the vendor wasn’t the main cause, it’s a good time to reevaluate your trust in them. The best time to fix the next problem is right after the last one.
29. 38% of breaches via the supply chain occur due to lack of vendor patching
Vendors that fail to patch known vulnerabilities are handing attackers an open invitation. Nearly 4 out of 10 supply chain breaches happen simply because a partner didn’t apply a fix that was already available.
It’s frustrating, because patching is one of the most basic forms of protection—and it’s often ignored.
The solution? Demand better patching discipline from your vendors. Build it into your contracts. Ask them to provide patch timelines and proof of compliance.
You can also use vulnerability scanning tools to check for outdated software in third-party apps or services you rely on. Don’t wait for them to tell you something’s wrong. Check for yourself.
30. 44% of organizations experience repeat supply chain attacks within two years
This final stat is a harsh reality check. Almost half of companies that suffer a supply chain attack get hit again within two years. That tells us that attackers often come back—or that new attackers find the same weak spots.
Why does this happen? Because the root causes don’t always get fixed. Maybe it was a vendor issue that went unresolved. Maybe the business didn’t change its policies or update its tools. Or maybe the mindset didn’t shift from reactive to proactive.
The key takeaway here is that defense isn’t a one-time thing. If you’ve been attacked once, assume you’ll be targeted again. Don’t just patch the hole—rebuild the wall.
Strengthen your vendor review process. Invest in ongoing monitoring. Stay on top of emerging threats, and treat supply chain security as a continuous responsibility, not a box to check after an incident.
wrapping it up
Supply chain attacks are no longer rare events. They’re frequent, damaging, and often deeply embedded in how modern businesses work. As these 30 stats clearly show, attackers are targeting the weakest links in your digital ecosystem—and those links are often outside your direct control.
