The Strategic Threat of Supply Chain Attacks: A National Security and Economic Perspective

Abstract

Aim: To examine the strategic threat of supply chain attacks considering national security and economic perspective. Problem Statement: The high significance of interconnectivity between production and supply of goods and services bridging the chain among the manufacturers, suppliers and distributors has given opportunities to attackers to seize the opportunity. These surreptitious attacks exploit the benefits, and the susceptibilities attributed with the interwoven network causing serious threats to businesses and organizations around the world. Significance of Study: The over reliance of organizations and businesses on sophisticated suppliers’ chain has necessitated the quest to protect it from attack to avoid interruption of the transportation network for goods and services. Thus, examining the strategic threat of supply chain attacks with linkages to national security and economic perspective is important. Methodology: Published articles that are recent and relevant to supply chain attacks are considered in putting this review manuscript together. The methodology employs the use of search engine on the google website and scopus index journals. Discussion: The supply chain security nature can be strengthened via the implementation of third-party risk management programs, maintenance of continuous monitoring, executing thorough audits and enforcement of robust evaluation processes. The fundamental principles behind the connective web involved in supply chain were examined. Some of the general threats characterized with supply chain include environmental and climate risks; fluctuations in the economy, geopolitical conflict; transport and logistics and many more. The defense of supply chain attacks can be further fortified against emerging threats through collaborative research with reliable cybersecurity experts, updating various policies of security and limiting access to vendors. Additionally, regulatory compliance, operational stability, clients and partners trust alongside data protection are keys to securing supply chain. Conclusion: In conclusion, there is need to establish strategic steps against threats of supply chain attacks for sustainable economic and national security. The recommended solutions to this menace are crime displacement; incident occurrence prevention; logistics and criminology; and many more.