In today’s digitally connected world, we are all part of a greater whole. Just as each link in the supply chain shares in the creation of value, it also shares in the risk. I’ve realized this fact countless times in discussions with our clients across industries. The common denominator in these conversations is always the same problem – security threats that can endanger not just the individual, but the entire digital ecosystem.
When we think about the consequences of a weakness at one end of the chain, we realise how fragile this complex web of relationships is. The reality is that many small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the basic infrastructure of supply chains, do not have sufficient resources to secure their systems. As a result, their cyber resilience often falls short of what is needed. If a large corporation invests in security, but its subcontractor does not, how strong are the realistic boundaries of its protection?
But the risks don’t just stop with subcontractors. IT companies managing key systems, logistics providers transporting critical components, digital platform managers – all are potential targets of attack. And the more the world becomes digital, the more these threats grow in importance.
Our answer to this problem is clear: shared responsibility. Certification, risk analysis, encryption, network segmentation or incident response planning are no longer just a recommendation, but a necessary requirement for each of our partners.
In this context, we welcome the transposition of the NIS 2 Directive, which emphasises the security obligations of suppliers. This legislation gives us, you, the right to require subcontractors to adhere to the same safety standards. This is a step in the right direction, because it is the only way we will be able to create a resilient but flexible network that can weather any storms of the digital age.
Everyone, regardless of the size of the company, bears a piece of this responsibility. Today’s world no longer just needs strong individuals, it needs strong chains. And those start with each and every one of us.
