Cyber Brief: Supply chain exposure, credentials and recovery readiness

Cyber reporting on 15 January continued to highlight how indirect access paths, identity misuse and recovery readiness remain key drivers of operational risk. While no single incident dominated the headlines, the themes emerging reinforce how attackers and disruption alike exploit gaps that develop gradually over time.

Supply chain access remains a high-impact risk factor

Reporting published on 15 January highlights continued concern around third-party and supplier access as a route into organisations. Rather than targeting primary environments directly, attackers increasingly exploit weaker controls, inherited permissions or trusted connections within the supply chain.
In several incidents reviewed, access to internal systems was gained through compromised credentials or poorly scoped access provided to external partners. Once inside, attackers were able to move laterally or access sensitive data without triggering immediate alerts.
The reporting reinforces that supply chain exposure is not limited to large or complex vendor ecosystems. Even small numbers of third-party connections can introduce disproportionate risk if access is not regularly reviewed and monitored.

Why it matters
Supply chain access widens the attack surface. Regular reviews of third-party access and clear ownership reduce exposure.

Source
Reuters

Credential misuse continues to bypass technical controls

Security analysis published on 15 January shows that credential misuse remains one of the most effective techniques for attackers. Rather than exploiting software flaws, many incidents rely on stolen or reused credentials to gain access that appears legitimate.
Once authenticated, attackers often delay activity to avoid detection, blending into normal user behaviour. In several cases reviewed, this allowed extended access before discovery, increasing the impact of the incident.
The reporting highlights that identity remains a critical control point. Where authentication and monitoring are weak, attackers can bypass otherwise mature technical defences.

Why it matters
Credential misuse undermines perimeter security. Strong authentication and identity monitoring reduce attacker dwell time.

Source
The Register

Recovery readiness varies widely across organisations

UK-focused reporting on 15 January highlights ongoing gaps in recovery readiness. While many organisations have documented incident response plans, fewer have tested them under realistic conditions.
In incidents reviewed, uncertainty around roles, decision-making authority and system dependencies delayed recovery even after containment. In some cases, technical recovery was possible but operational confidence was lacking.
The reporting reinforces that recovery is not just a technical challenge. It depends on preparation, rehearsal and clear communication across teams.

Why it matters
Recovery readiness reduces disruption. Regular exercising builds confidence and shortens recovery time.

Source
Computer Weekly

Today’s Key Actions

1. Review third-party and supplier access permissions.
2. Monitor for anomalous identity activity and credential misuse.
3. Enforce strong authentication where possible.
4. Validate incident response roles and escalation paths.
5. Exercise recovery plans to test assumptions and dependencies.

Secarma Insight

The themes from 15 January reinforce a consistent message. Many incidents succeed not through advanced techniques, but through trusted access, weak identity controls and limited recovery preparation. Organisations that maintain visibility across suppliers, identities and recovery processes are better positioned to limit impact when issues arise.

Get in touch with us to prioritise your next steps and strengthen your security posture.