Supply Chain Security: From Physical Protection to Cybersecurity

As goods flows become increasingly complex and data-dependent, supply chain security is no longer just about “risk prevention”—it has become an essential component of modern business operation and growth strategy.

Multi-layered risks: from hackers to insiders

Supply chain attacks are no longer rare in the digital era. Hackers can gain access to logistics management systems and disrupt entire operations with just one malicious email. From inventory management to ordering systems and shipment tracking—any compromised node can lead to severe chain-reaction consequences.

Aside from cyber risks, incidents such as container theft, driver impersonation, and warehouse break-ins are on the rise in various Asian and African countries, where many international shipping routes pass through. Internal sabotage—stemming from disgruntled employees or collusion with outside actors—has been identified as the cause of nearly 30% of global supply chain disruptions, according to a 2023 TAPA survey.

Modern sabotage tactics are also highly sophisticated: tampering with temperature sensors, forging shipping labels, or deliberately delaying deliveries to undermine competitors’ credibility.

Supply chain risk management is no longer just about coordinating warehouses and vehicles—it is an art of connecting people, technology, and risk control at every node.

Preparedness and response: drill it like fire safety

Many leading logistics and transport firms have adopted incident response scenarios akin to fire drills. These include a five-step process: detection – assessment – containment – recovery – and post-incident analysis. Especially for companies with cross-border supply chains, regional risk maps are developed along specific routes, guiding strategies such as warehouse rotations, route changes, or heightened surveillance when necessary.

Blockchain solutions are being integrated to establish tamper-proof shipment tracking systems. Technologies like IoT and AI offer early warnings in the event of route deviations, unauthorized container access, or changes in cargo environmental conditions.

Crucially, the coordination between in-house IT departments and physical security teams must be stronger than ever. A hacker gaining control of an access management system can unlock warehouse doors—if even one link fails, the entire chain can collapse.

Certifications and audits: prevention through standardization

Holding certifications such as ISO 28000, TAPA TSR/FSR, or secure transport standards like C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) is increasingly seen as a “soft advantage” in contract negotiations—especially within supply chains in the EU and U.S.

Auditors do more than just verify compliance—they help businesses identify vulnerabilities, develop cyclical risk maps, and create long-term improvement strategies. Independent international auditors typically offer evaluations using a “tiered risk model,” which classifies threat levels by industry, region, transport mode, and a company’s ability to respond.

Some multinational corporations have implemented supply chain safety scorecards—where any supplier falling short of safety requirements will be disqualified from cooperation, regardless of pricing or production capacity.

Safety certifications are not ornamental for bidding documents—they are the ‘passport’ for businesses to enter increasingly strict global value chains where compliance and transparency are non-negotiable.

As supply chains become the “lifeblood” of the digital economy, businesses cannot afford to focus solely on speed and cost—security must be recognized as a core competitive strength. The more complex and digitalized the system, the harder it is to predict risks—and only those supply chains built with comprehensive prevention, data transparency, and fast response capability will stand strong against future disruptions.

By Kien Le