Step-by-Step Guide on Configuring Firewalls to Mitigate Supply Chain Cyber Attacks

Today, Supply Chain Security is the most important part of business. Cybercriminals use networked third-party vendors to breach company networks, steal data or disrupt operations. One extremely effective natural approach to guarantee Third-Party Access protection and mitigate all supply chain cyber threats.

Read on to learn more about how firewalls can help to secure vendor connections, restrict access, and protect sensitive data from cyber threats.

Supply Chain Cyber Risks

Many third-party vendors are granted direct access to internal business systems. If their security is lax, the attackers may compromise their connections and use them to invade your network. Common risks include:

• Compromised Vendor Credentials – In this scenario, hacking techniques such as stealing or even guessing login details are used to access your system.
• Malware Infections – A vendor’s network can become infected, spreading malware into your infrastructure.
• Insider Threats – Employees or former employees of a vendor with unauthorized access can take advantage of that access.
• Data Breaches In Supply Chains – This can result in an attack where sensitive business or customer data can be stolen.
• Ransomware Attacks – Bad actors can encrypt critical systems through vendor networks, resulting in downtime.

Strong firewall configurations mitigate these risks by limiting third-party access and monitoring traffic.

How You Can Break Your Silos Down with Firewall Vendors

Firewalls are gatekeepers between your network and third-party interactions. Here are a few best practices to follow to make the most of them:

1. Segment Vendor Networks

• Create separate VLANs for third-party vendors.
• Limit access for vendors to only required systems.
• Keep an attack against a vendor from spilling over to the rest of your infrastructure.

2. Whitelist Approved IPs

• Restrict access of your network only to the vendor IP addresses.
• Block unknown or unauthorized IPs to minimize risk of attack.

3. Implement Restrictive Access Control Lists (ACLs)

• Configure ACLs restricting vendor access to what it needs.
• Implement least privilege access – give vendors access only to what they need.

4. Monitor Third-Party Traffic

• Employ Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS).
• Fortify the firewall logs to register all anomalous activity.
• Make sure to audit the vendor access logs frequently.

5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Force vendors to use MFA before they can access your systems.
• If an attacker steals a credential, it won’t work because of this.

6. Encrypt Vendor Communications

• Secure vendor connections with VPNs or SSL/TLS encryption.
• Thwart data interception by cyber criminals.

These help ensure only authorized vendors are accessing the business’s systems and minimize the occurrence of cyber attacks.

Limiting Third-Party Access

Vendors require access to your network, yet their access must be limited and controlled. Here are the firewall tips that you can implement to block third-party access:

1. Implement Time-Based Access Controls

• Give vendors access only during working hours or during certain periods.
• Limits unauthorized access outside of approved hours.

2. Champion Principle of Least Privilege

• If feasible, restrict vendors’ access to remote desktop protocol (RDP).
• Implement firewall-based restrictions for secure remote access solutions.

3. Deploy Web Filtering and DNS Controls

• Protect vendors from accessing dangerous sites or downloading bad files.
• Prevent access to unapproved cloud services or foreign data storage.

4. Implement Zero Trust Security

• Implement continuous authentication for vendors that log into sensitive systems.
• Do not assume any vendor is safe – always validate the legitimacy of vendor access.

5. Rented Firewalls for a Secure Vendor Relationship

• This ensures that businesses have access to the latest security features by renting enterprise-grade firewalls, routers, and servers.
• Simplified to grow network safeguard based on seller requests.
• Pay on-demand – no implementation cost; pay only for firewall protection when you need it.

Suppressing and restricting vendor access through firewalls minimizes vulnerabilities within the supply chain.

Supply Chain Security Solutions from PJ Networks

Firewall management is one of the biggest pain points for vendor security for many businesses. As a result, the best way to augment Supply Chain Security without the expense of ownership is to Rent firewalls.

Reason Why To Go With PJ Networks For Your Rented Firewall Protection

• Enterprise-Grade Firewall Protection – Tailored for vendor security.
• No Hardware Investment – Rent it as needed, no costly firewalls to purchase.
• Fully Managed Solutions – We set up, monitor, and apply security patches.
• Scale to Business Needs – Add or remove firewall solutions as needed based on third-party access demands.

Therefore, they also allow companies to manage third-party accessibility efficiently while keeping costs low.

Conclusion

Supply Chain Security is here to stay. Firewalls are the first line of defense against vendor-related cyber attacks. To avoid supply chain attacks, one should follow proper firewall configurations, access controls, and encrypted communications.

Employing Third-Party Firewalls When you Invest in Rented Firewall Protection: Least Expensive Solution for Securing Third-Party Access and Keeping the Business Running Without the Costs of Security Continuity Infrastructure.

Keep your network safe, combat Third-Party Access, and enhance Supply Chain Security with modern-day firewall solutions today.