Your Vendors Could Be Your Biggest Cyber Threat—Here’s How to Fix It
Feb 3, 2025
Cyberattacks are no longer isolated incidents—they have become a critical business risk affecting organizations of all sizes. From ransomware attacks to supply chain vulnerabilities, the scope of cybercrime continues to expand, causing financial losses that can be devastating and irreversible.
In today’s interconnected world, businesses rely heavily on third-party vendors, service providers, and external partners. These parties often have access to sensitive data, proprietary systems, and critical infrastructure, making Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) essential. Unsecured third-party relationships expose organizations to risks beyond their direct control, increasing the urgency for robust Vendor Risk Assessments (VRA) and Third-Party Risk Assessments (TPRA).
The Growing Complexity of Data Privacy and Supply Chain Security
As data privacy regulations become more complex, organizations must ensure ongoing compliance with evolving security standards. A 2024 report by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) found that:
60% of organizations reported supply chain attacks in 2024.
40% of these attacks resulted in significant data breaches.
This highlights the critical need for stronger Vendor Risk Management (VRM) and enhanced Third-Party Governance. Businesses must tighten security controls, conduct regular Third-Party Audits, and integrate cloud-native security solutions to secure workloads and maintain visibility across diverse cloud environments.
Cybersecurity Risks to Watch in 2025
1. AI-Powered Cyberattacks
Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to launch automated spear-phishing campaigns, deepfake scams, and AI-driven malware.
Organizations must enhance Vendor Due Diligence to assess vendor security posture against AI-based threats.
2. Ransomware and Extortion Attacks
In 2024, 23% of data breaches involved ransomware, with businesses paying an average of $250,000 per incident.
Experts predict that by 2030, ransomware incidents could grow by 50%, with supply chains being the primary target.
Strengthening Supplier Risk Management and enforcing Procurement Security Assessments can help mitigate ransomware threats.
3. Cybersecurity Skills Shortage
The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to exceed supply.
By 2025, an estimated 3.4 million cybersecurity positions will remain unfilled, making it difficult for companies to maintain effective risk management programs.
Investing in automated risk assessments and AI-driven security solutions can bridge the talent gap and enhance cybersecurity resilience.
Why Organizations Must Prioritize Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)
To combat these emerging threats, businesses need a proactive Vendor Risk Framework that includes:
Continuous Third-Party Monitoring to detect security vulnerabilities before they escalate.
Vendor Compliance Audits to ensure adherence to security standards like ISO 27001, GDPR, and NIST.
Risk-Based Vendor Assessments that categorize vendors based on their security posture and access level.
Sky BlackBox: Smarter Risk Management for 2025 and Beyond
At Sky BlackBox, we help organizations identify, assess, and manage vendor risks in real time. Our AI-powered Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) solutions offer:
Automated Vendor Risk Assessments (VRA) and compliance monitoring.
AI-driven threat detection and continuous security oversight.
Comprehensive visibility into vendor activities to strengthen Supply Chain Security.
Discover how Sky BlackBox can help you mitigate third-party risks: www.skyblackbox.com.