Colonial Pipeline: Ransomware and threats to the nested software supply chain

Ransomware attacks continue to target critical infrastructure, as we saw with the Colonial Pipeline. These attacks and other disruptive events take businesses offline, which has a ripple effect across the economy. This vulnerability is in part a byproduct of interconnectedness, not just of companies and their primary suppliers but with elements vital to the critical infrastructure – money, telecom, cyber, transportation, and utilities – that every business relies on to operate. Today’s supply chains are nested, complicated, and primarily hidden. Many organizations use business continuity planning to focus on events likely to affect them and their direct suppliers. Operational resilience requires planning for all situations, even unlikely ones, and preparation for the disruption to their customers. Organizations need to understand their extended supply chains in order to identify their exposure and make necessary adjustments faster than their competitors. This capability is essential for success in today’s challenging environment. What will you learn: · How the pipeline attack happened and why it has deep ramifications · Why nested networks are so important to operational resilience · Why black swans are dead and “not knowing” isn’t an option · How companies are pivoting to operational resilience