What describes a supply chain attack?

A supply chain attack refers to a tactic where attackers exploit vulnerabilities present in the supply chain of a product or service. This type of attack occurs when a threat actor targets a less-secure element within the supply chain to infiltrate the overall system, often leading to a much larger and more impactful breach. The attackers may compromise a vendor or a third-party service provider, and from there, they can gain access to systems or data of the primary target.

This method of attack is particularly effective because it allows attackers to bypass direct defenses of the target organization. Instead of attacking an organization directly, they take advantage of the relationships and dependencies that exist in the supply chain, which often include various vendors and services that may not have the same level of security scrutiny. Thus, understanding this vulnerability is crucial for maintaining overall security.

While the other options deal with important aspects of cybersecurity, they do not accurately encapsulate the concept of a supply chain attack. Employee training and software development practices focus on educating and improving security measures within an organization rather than addressing external vulnerabilities. Similarly, securing network communications refers to protocol measures that protect data in transit, not the vulnerabilities within the supply chain itself.