Clark: Managing third- and fourth-party cyber risk in trucking operations

In today’s interconnected economy, partnering with third-party vendors isn’t optional; it’s essential. From IT providers and cloud platforms to logistics partners and payment processors, outside vendors keep businesses running efficiently.

But this reliance comes with risk. According to the 2025 SecurityScorecard Global Third-Party Breach report, at least 35.5% of all data breaches in 2024 originated from third-party compromises. That’s a 6.5% increase from the previous year. The actual number is likely higher, as some organizations may not detect or disclose the third-party source of their breach.

While some European and Asian countries report higher percentages of third-party breaches, the U.S. has the largest total number of third-party incidents because of its overall high breach volume.

For the travel, transportation, and logistics industry, the numbers are especially sobering. Though only 6.4% of breaches in the sector originate from third parties, 45% of all breaches that do occur in the industry are linked to third-party compromises. The financial cost can reach millions per incident, not to mention the reputational damage and operational disruption.

Why vendors are prime targets for cybercriminals

Third-party suppliers often operate with fewer resources and less mature cybersecurity programs than the organizations they support. That imbalance creates opportunity for attackers.

1. Weaker security controls

Some vendors prioritize operational efficiency and convenience over comprehensive cybersecurity. Without layered defenses, advanced monitoring, and formal security programs, they become easier targets.

2. Limited threat awareness

Smaller organizations may not fully understand today’s sophisticated attack methods, including ransomware as a service, supply chain infiltration, and social engineering tactics. Without awareness, early warning signs of compromise can be missed.

3. Shared access creates exposure

Vendors frequently require access to internal systems, applications, or sensitive data. These trusted connections, if not tightly controlled, can become gateways into your network.

4. Complex, multilayered supply chains

Your vendors have vendors of their own. Each additional layer introduces more potential vulnerabilities. According to the SecurityScorecard report, 4.5% of breaches in 2024 extended to fourth parties, meaning the compromise originated from your vendor’s vendor.

Maintaining visibility and control across this expanding ecosystem becomes increasingly difficult.

Practical steps to reduce third-party risk

Training your own employees is critical, but internal awareness alone won’t protect your organization from supplier-related breaches. Managing third-party risk requires proactive oversight and continuous monitoring.

Here are key best practices:

1. Conduct ongoing security assessments

Third-party risk management should never be a one-time checklist.

• Security questionnaires and audits: Request documentation of policies, certifications, and incident response procedures.
• Independent security ratings: Use platforms such as SecurityScorecard to evaluate and benchmark vendor cybersecurity posture.
• Regular reassessments: Re-evaluate vendors annually; do so more frequently for high-risk partners.

2. Apply the principle of least privilege

Grant vendors access only to the systems and data absolutely necessary for their role.

• Network segmentation: Isolate critical systems to limit lateral movement if a breach occurs.
• Time-bound credentials: Issue temporary access that automatically expires once work is complete.
• Multifactor authentication (MFA): Require MFA for all third-party access points.

3. Strengthen vendor contracts

Cybersecurity expectations should be clearly defined in every agreement.

Contracts should include:

• Compliance requirements: Alignment with relevant industry standards and regulations.
• Breach notification timelines: Immediate disclosure requirements in the event of an incident.
• Liability clauses: Clear accountability if vendor negligence results in harm to your organization.

4. Implement continuous monitoring

Automated tools can provide real-time visibility into vendor risk exposure. Continuous monitoring platforms can:

• Identify emerging vulnerabilities
• Flag compliance gaps
• Detect potential data exposures
• Alert you to changes in vendor risk posture

This ongoing visibility transforms risk management from reactive to proactive.

5. Support and educate your vendors

Not every supplier has a dedicated cybersecurity team. Consider strengthening your entire ecosystem by:

• Sharing best practices
• Offering joint training sessions
• Distributing threat intelligence
• Encouraging collaborative security improvements

A stronger vendor network benefits everyone.

Cybersecurity is a partnership, not a blame game

Most third-party breaches are not malicious; they’re inadvertent. The goal is not to assign blame, but to reduce shared risk.

A collaborative approach includes:

• Threat intelligence sharing: Keep vendors informed about emerging threats.
• Open communication channels: Encourage immediate reporting of suspicious activity.
• Transparency: Build a culture where security concerns are surfaced early and addressed quickly.

When cybersecurity becomes a shared responsibility, resilience improves across the entire supply chain.

Securing the weakest link

In today’s threat environment, a single vulnerable partner can compromise an entire network. Protecting your business from third- and fourth-party breaches requires:

• Continuous oversight
• Strong contractual safeguards
• Technical controls
• Vendor education
• And above all, collaboration

Cybersecurity is truly an all-hands-on-deck effort. By strengthening your supply chain defenses today, you reduce the risk of a breach that could significantly disrupt your operations and damage your reputation.