Even in a secure environment, supply chain security can contain gaps. The seller may have its supply chain locked down, but the manufacturer — confident in its own practices — may be dealing with parts suppliers who work with unsecured companies.
The smaller the company, the larger the gaps and lack of information may be. The National Defense Industrial Association recently surveyed small and medium-sized defense contractors and found that fewer than 60 percent of them read the document outlining the minimum security standards for defense contractors.
The risks federal agencies face in the supply chain include gray market and counterfeit products, tampering and vendors that don’t properly assess their own risk.
MORE ON FEDTECH: Learn three ways to stay ahead of supply chain security challenges.
Task Forces Study Supply Chain Risk
Federal agencies and task forces are working on supply chain security guidelines encompassing everything from how to spot problems to when to ban a company as a supplier.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Information and Communications Technology Supply Chain Risk…
