The need for supply chain security
Managing supply chains has never been more complicated. Threats to fragile supply chains are numerous, with cyberattacks and malware growing in number and complexity daily. Supply chains are attractive targets because they offer backdoor access to numerous companies’ systems. To combat these rising threats and bolster supply chain security, Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) provides backups of mission-critical data.
Internal threats, such as aging infrastructure, poorly optimized data, lack of flexibility, and absence of a backup plan, also pose significant challenges. These setbacks limit business agility, while modern supply chains demand the ability to pivot quickly. Cloud technology addresses these challenges by maintaining fluid supply chains. AI and machine learning tools offer insights into existing data streams, while top-tier security systems actively monitor and combat evolving malware threats. This blog examines how cloud computing enhances supply chain security and optimization.
Supply chain optimization
Optimizing a supply chain involves maximizing data flow efficiency and securing data through backups and security measures. Cloud-native predictive AI tools help analyze trends and preempt supply chain disruptions. IoT devices and monitoring technologies—such as RFID tags—track products throughout their journey from manufacturing to fulfillment. The Cloud enables greater visibility and security across the supply chain.
Cloud systems also facilitate automation and simplification of supply chain management. APIs streamline platform integrations and create complex automation workflows. Automatic backups are a core advantage of cloud utilization.
Another significant advantage of using the Cloud in supply chains is advanced security. Public clouds, like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, have top-tier security teams working around the clock to stay ahead of cybercriminals. However, many supply chains use a multi-cloud environment, where smaller cloud providers might not have robust security measures, potentially leaving backdoors open to hackers. This vulnerability multiplies with the number of companies and systems linked via a supply chain.
Data must be secured across all locations — onsite, in the Cloud, on third-party systems, and through a separate DRaaS solution.
Supply chain security fundamentals
Creating a secure supply chain involves identifying vulnerabilities and establishing an automated backup system with disaster recovery as a key component.
Identifying vulnerabilities includes:
- Deploying AI-driven security tools to neutralize ransomware before it becomes a threat.
- Creating an inventory of potential system security weak points.
- Enforcing company-wide password best practices.
Creating a robust data protection program involves:
- Automating backups to the Cloud.
- Implementing cloud security best practices, including zero-trust approaches.
- Using encrypted unified data storage solutions, such as data lakes.
- Utilizing a DRaaS solution for swift recovery from cyberattacks or natural disasters.
When your supply chain data resides in a cloud solution, its security is only as strong as your cloud security measures. Assessing and implementing best practices for the security of your cloud platforms is crucial for modern, connected businesses.
Learn more: How do you ensure the security of your supply chain?
Scaling and flexibility
Maintaining national or global supply chains involves navigating significant uncertainty. Responding to shortages, overstock, or unexpected crises is vital, requiring corporations to scale and pivot as needed.
A cloud environment is ideal for real-time scaling because you pay for storage or services as needed. With the widespread adoption of serverless computing and microservices, you can drill down into and develop the exact tools needed and deploy them across platforms. Additionally, AI helps maintain agility by flagging potential issues, turning data into invaluable business intelligence for informed strategic decisions.
Data protection and recovery
DRaaS experts are vital to your supply chain because malware constantly evolves, and cloud backups are attractive targets for cybercriminals. Managed backup solutions allow businesses to leverage the benefits of cloud backups while minimizing risks to the security and integrity of their data.
How malware works now
While traditional tactics like phishing remain, new, dangerous ploys threaten supply chain security. Malware can be embedded in documents and images, or it can lock entire storage drives. Some malware operates on a timer, remaining dormant for months or years. Hackers often target older systems with more vulnerabilities.
Protection through DRaaS
Companies increasingly face climate change-fueled disasters that can damage business locations and critical systems. Proper DRaaS setup safeguards against malware and catastrophic events. A DRaaS system should be a secondary, offsite cloud backup. Although cloud vulnerabilities exist, expert setup can render a DRaaS inaccessible to hackers and bad actors.
Maintaining supply chain security now and into the future
Managing and securing supply chains is one of the most significant business challenges. Fortunately, CBTS is here to help. Our experts customize solutions for addressing security, backups, and supply chain data insights through cloud-based solutions.
With decades of experience, CBTS helps clients understand and evolve supply chain management. We partner with industry-leading technology providers, and our certified engineers and project managers simplify navigating evolving technology.
Get in touch today to learn how to optimize and secure your supply chains with the latest cloud technology.s with cloud technology.
