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Almost 30% of business executives have witnessed a noticeable rise in digital intrusions targeting their distribution systems during the past six months, as recent security incidents on major corporations have highlighted this expanding risk to modern businesses.

Digital risks rise concern rankings for procurement managers

Online protection issues have moved up the ranking of worries for supply chain executives at multiple organizations internationally across various sectors including production, utilities and tech, according to latest professional survey conducted in early autumn.

High-profile security breaches cause considerable economic damage

Recent cyber attacks at several prominent businesses have resulted in losses of substantial sums of money, moving digital security from being mostly the focus of technology teams to becoming a significant priority for corporate boards and company directors.

The nature of international commerce, the way we consider worldwide distribution systems and the technological supply environment are ever more connected,

remarked a prominent professional association head.

International considerations add to supply chain concerns

During previous months, purchasing directors were especially anxious about geopolitical instability, including ongoing disputes in several regions, along with international tariff measures that weighed on worldwide business.

However, digital security risks are now matching global tensions and trade disagreements as the most significant danger for members of international trade associations.

Research indicates broad impact

The survey found that almost one-third of directors stated that businesses within their logistics networks had been attacked by cyber incidents in previous months.

Major car manufacturing effects

A notable car company experienced manufacturing stoppages and was found itself incapable to manufacture cars for four weeks, following a security incident that forced the company to disable digital infrastructure across several international locations.

The financial consequences of this month-long manufacturing halt at Britain's largest automotive employer has been estimated at approximately one hundred twenty million pounds in foregone income, or one point seven billion pounds in missed sales, according to university research from a commercial economics professor.

Latest worldwide cases

More recently, a major international drinks manufacturer became the most recent organization to be compelled to stop production at its local plants following a digital breach.

The organization, which manages numerous industrial sites in Japan producing beer and various goods, reported that its transaction handling functions, along with distribution activities and client support services, had been disrupted following a systems outage resulting from the digital intrusion.

Growing connectivity generates risks

Businesses are progressively supported by other organizations. Gone are the times of considering an organization as an operation operating in separation.

Latest prominent security incidents have functioned as a important lesson to companies to invest in strong cybersecurity measures, to secure their business activities and preserve client faith, encouraging them to investigate how their supply chains could become possible focus points for cyber criminals.