A war without borders

As supply chains go digital, cyber threats grow louder. From Al-driven defenses to real-time vigilance and smart SLAs, the battle isn't on the borders, it's in the code. This is the new frontline where resilience, not speed, defines success

- Ashok Pandey [e-mail]

As the world becomes more interconnected, the supply chain; the once purely logistical arm of business, has become a complex, digital organism. And like every digital organism, it is now deeply exposed to cyber threats. The digitalization of manufacturing, transportation, and distribution has unlocked extraordinary speed and efficiency, but it has also created cracks—cracks that cybercriminals are eager to exploit.

In a conversation rich with real-world relevance, Kushika Sharma, Assistant Professor, UPES Online, delves into how modern supply chains are vulnerable, why attacks are rising, and how industry needs to respond, not just with tools, but with awareness, partnerships, and people.

The fragile thread of interconnectivity

"Let's begin by understanding why there is a need for cybersecurity first," Sharma says. That need becomes clear as soon as you consider how digital the modern supply chain has become. Logistics today is not simply about moving goods. It is about integrating warehouse sensors, ERP systems, supplier portals, third-party vendors, and control centers—all in one connected ecosystem.

Every connection is a potential entry point

As supply chains become increasingly digitalized, they are connecting manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, and retailers. As the surface area grows, the chances of infiltration multiply. Traditional security tools struggle to keep pace with the evolving threats.

She recalls specific, real-life disruptions, the NotPetya attack, which brought operations of the world's largest shipping company to a standstill across 80 ports, causing a $130 million loss; the SolarWinds hack, which exposed the systemic vulnerabilities of vendor software; and the 2013 Target breach, where third-party access compromised over 40 million credit card records.