____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cyber
Crime
Getting the fundamentals right
Addressing supply chain risk in the utilities sector requires a proactive, layered approach. The first step is understanding where your risks lie. This begins with a comprehensive audit of existing infrastructure, including all connected third parties. It’ s vital to assess not only digital assets but also OT systems which are often overlooked despite their importance.
Next, organizations must invest in endpoint protection. As remote monitoring, smart meters and mobile devices become more popular, securing access points is crucial. Endpoint detection and response( EDR) tools use AI and analytics to detect and flag suspicious activity before damage can be done.
Yet, even with these innovative tools in place, visibility remains a challenge. Utility providers often lack a clear end-to-end view of their supply chains, making working with trusted partners essential to detecting vulnerabilities and closing security gaps.
The case for supply chain passports
One innovative solution gaining support is the concept of supply chain passports. A digital credential that verifies a supplier’ s cybersecurity posture, passports will include key indicators( such as compliance with recognized standards, historical breach data and the results of recent security audits) so companies can better understand the organizations they partner with.
When implemented at scale, supply chain passports establish shared accountability, reduce onboarding friction and can identify weak links. Alongside this, passports can evolve dynamically as threats change which allows for a real-time, risk-based approach to supply chain security.
A shared responsibility
Ultimately, securing supply chains across the industry isn’ t the responsibility of one organization. It’ s a shared challenge that requires collaboration between industry, government and the wider cybersecurity community. Regulators are already moving in the right direction, for example the UK’ s updated Network and Information Systems( NIS) Regulations which will introduce stricter incident reporting requirements.
All this means utility providers must act now. With digital transformation in the sector unavoidable, cybersecurity must be built into everything, not an afterthought. By addressing supply chain cybersecurity head-on, utility providers can not only protect themselves and their customers but also create a foundation for future innovation built on trust, transparency, and security.
Supply chain security is frontline defense. As threats continue to grow, the organizations which act now will not only safeguard critical infrastructure but set the standard for a more secure, resilient digital economy. ■
Doug McGeachie fortinet. com / uk
Doug McGeachie is Director, Enterprise Sales at Fortinet, a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Its mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today it delivers cybersecurity everywhere its customers need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’ s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry.
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