Every Industry Has a Hub Like CDK Global: Embracing Industry-Specific Solutions for Success
Supply Chain Vulnerability: The Hidden Risk to Your Business
Every industry has a critical weak link in its supply chain that can bring entire sectors to a grinding halt. For the automotive industry, that weak link is CDK Global, a software provider that powers over 15,000 car dealerships across the United States. In June 2024, the BlackSuit ransomware group breached CDK Global’s network, causing millions of dollars in lost revenue and bringing the entire industry to a standstill.
The Broader Issue of Supply Chain Vulnerability
This incident highlights a broader issue that affects every industry: the vulnerability of supply chains to cyber attacks. According to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, 30% of breaches originate from third-party vendors, a figure that has doubled in just one year. As organizations increasingly rely on specialized vendors, the risk of a breach grows exponentially.
According to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, 30% of breaches originate from third-party vendors, a figure that has doubled in just one year.
The Challenge of Managing Supply Chain Risk
The problem is further complicated by the fact that most security teams focus exclusively on direct vendor relationships, leaving them exposed to cascading risks buried deep in their extended supply chains. The third parties of third parties, fourth-party dependencies, and beyond remain invisible to traditional risk management approaches. These hidden relationships can become a company’s problem when a vulnerability is exploited, yet most companies have no contracts with these providers, no visibility into their security practices, and no leverage to demand improvements.
The Limitations of Traditional Risk Management
Traditional risk management relies on point-in-time assessments that assume static risk, but threat actor activity changes minute-by-minute. This approach leaves organizations missing most of the third- and fourth-party risk. Moreover, third-party risk teams are universally understaffed, under-resourced, and under-budgeted, leading to widespread fatigue and skepticism about the effectiveness of their efforts.
The Solution: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
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