Modern supply chains are complex, international and strongly networked. Whether in mechanical engineering, in the automotive industry or in industrial production: companies work with service providers, subcontractors and suppliers every day. This external cooperation is often business -critical – and at the same time a blind spot in many security concepts.
Because not only internal employees can pose a risk. Confidential information, access data or systems can also be compromised through third -party parties. In technical language one speaks of Insider threats Through third parties – a danger that is often underestimated but can cause high damage.
Background tests as a mandatory task
This is exactly where regulatory requirements such as ISO 27001, TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) and the European NIS2 directive to. They require companies to identify and evaluate risks along the entire supply chain – expressly also among external partners. That means: Companies are not only responsible for the safety of their own systems, but also for those of their order processors and suppliers.
A central element is structured Background examsWith which criminal records, connections to risk opera, security-relevant incidents or compliance violations can be identified at an early stage.
Validato: Automated third party examination in practice
The company Validato, specialist for human risk management, has developed a platform with which such background tests can be carried out automated, scalable and GDPR compliant. The aim is not only to identify obvious risks, but also to uncover hidden weaknesses at an early stage – and thus minimize the target area.
“Our customers are increasingly realizing that security does not end at the work gate,” said Reto Marti, Coo from Validato. “A missing screening at partner companies can become the Achilles’ heel of the entire supply chain.”
A practical example shows the effectiveness: An automotive supplier used Validato to check a long -term subcontractor – with a surprising result. The analysis potentially revealed critical connections to unsafe third -party networks. As a result, the business relationship could be re -evaluated and secured – before a safety incident was created.
Strengthen compliance – avoid incidents
An important advantage of automated background checks is the prevention: Companies are given the opportunity to identify risks before they become real threats. At the same time, the requirements of certifications and guidelines such as TISAX, ISO 27001 or NIS2 can be met with reliable – an important step towards legally secure protection of the entire value chain.
Such measures are becoming more important, especially with regard to NIS2, the new EU-wide guideline for cyber resilience. NIS2 explicitly demands that suppliers and service providers are included in the risk assessment and safety control.
Safety needs foresight
The increasing networking in industry not only brings efficiency, but also new risks. Companies that do not limit their security strategy to internal processes, but also specifically include external partners, have a clear advantage. Providers such as Validato provide practical tools with which human risks can be recognized, evaluated and minimized in the supply chain – automated, scalable and legally secure.
The appeal to companies is clear: If you want to protect your supply chain, you have to think beyond your own perimeter. Because in a digitized world, security does not end at your own employee ID – but only at the last link in the supply chain.
This: validated