Ensuring supply chain against cybersecurity challenges

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Mr. John Bescec, Director of Customs and Trade Affairs at Microsoft. Photo: Tran Anh

Cyber-attacks on supply chains have been increasing. Data theft, cyber terrorism, and malware have greatly threatened supply chain management at businesses. What should businesses do in the context of increasing cyber-attacks on the supply chain?

The biggest challenges we see for the supply chain when it comes to cybersecurity would be Segmented Working Environments (IT, OT Operational Technology, and IoT), Siloed Security Tools, On-Premise Legacy Sec Ops coupled with Cyber Talent Gap.

To deal with the above challenges, businesses need to apply an Integrated Security Platform that can cover all environments across all platforms, an Integrated AI-based security platform native to Hyper-Scale Cloud that can automate security operations and help upskill cyber talent.

Mitigating these challenges would enable organizations to protect their business continuity.

In addition, the top challenges we have identified in our 2022 Digital Defense report look at:

Cybercriminals are targeting on-premises systems, reinforcing the need for organizations to manage vulnerabilities posed by legacy systems by modernizing and moving infrastructure to the cloud where security is more robust.

The most commonly observed contributing factors to weak protection against ransomware were weak identity controls, ineffective security operations, and limited data protection.

Many cyberattacks are successful simply because basic security hygiene has not been followed (password attacks, low authentication policies, etc.)

68% of impacted organizations did not have an effective vulnerability and patch management process, and a high dependence on manual processes versus automated patching led to critical openings.

IoT devices are a popular target for cybercriminals using widespread botnets. Unpatched routers can be used to gain access to networks and execute malicious attacks.

Cybercriminals are increasingly complicated when the technology develops. Accordingly, businesses need to accelerate the adoption of Zero Trust; apply integrated & automated security solutions, powered by AI and Cloud, Implement Ransomware Prevention, Detection, and mitigation; strengthen the Supply chain to the same cybersecurity standards as for their own organization; invest in fraud prevention technology; build a Cyber organization culture; organize training.

Could you please share about modern technology solutions to enhance the efficient management of import and export goods, helping improve capabilities and modernizing Customs administrations?

Microsoft provides innovative solutions to improve the management of imports and exports, thereby contributing to raising the control capacity of customs.

Understanding risk: Understanding risk is one of the biggest challenges for customs agencies. Improved targeting capabilities allow better resource allocation and reduce overall risk. This applies to safe and fair-trade facilitation as well as to border protection.

Innovative solutions are applied in risk detection such as Data analytics, AI, and machine learning capabilities, like Microsoft Azure Machine Learning, that can assimilate and take action on this risk information in an effective and timely manner.

Gaining real-time intelligence: Seamless operations require real-time intelligence on activities in and around the port. Deploying the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors across a port can provide unprecedented insight into real-time occurrences. Sensors can be deployed on cranes, vehicles, buildings, energy generators, containers, ships, tugs, people, and more.

Enabling remote operations: Creating a digital twin of a port can enable better understanding and management of operations remotely. With IoT sensors placed in different locations and on many pieces of equipment, port authorities can create a 3D map of the entire environment.

Promoting sustainable operations: IoT sensor data can also be combined with a customs warehouse building energy management system (BEMS). This provides invaluable insight into how the buildings are being used to identify opportunities for more sustainable processes.

Increasing supply chain visibility and efficiency: The Microsoft Supply Chain Platform, with the Supply Chain Center at its core, provides a “command center” experience for practitioners to harmonize data from across existing supply chain systems.

What should Vietnam Customs do to effectively apply those advanced technology solutions in State management of Customs, trade facilitation, and supply chain security?

Viet Nam Customs needs to build a Zero Trust foundation as a key pillar of Cyber Security Strategy; skill the organization on AI (Generative AI included) and develop a Responsible AI Governance within the organization; continue to partner with the private sector to incubate innovative scenarios faster and test them with the users before moving to production; and agile development and build real-time insights because ong huge projects are no longer viable in terms of cost, time to release and keeping up with fast rhythm of innovation.

How do you evaluate the organization of the WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition in 2023 under the theme “Embracing the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology, Fostering Innovation, and Nurturing the Next Generation of Customs Professionals” in Hanoi, Vietnam?

The WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition is the biggest annual international event that is held by the WCO. This conference brings together Customs authorities and the leading companies in the technology industry to explore and discuss how innovation and technology can support Customs in its functions of protection of society, revenue collection, and trade facilitation. But, people are at the heart of the digital transformation process.

Both public and private sectors can benefit from discussions on leveraging technology for Customs operations and fostering innovation in this field.

I applaud Vietnam Customs for facilitating this event and for their willingness to work with industry to help enable trade in 2023 and into the future.

Thank you!