The modern supply chain works behind the surface to keep global commerce running. But while everyday people may underestimate its importance, cybercriminals don’t. Recognizing that it only takes one weak link to disrupt an entire network, attackers are increasingly targeting supply chain organizations.

Crystal Morin, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst, warns that the use of LLMs will likely contribute to a surge in sophisticated spear phishing attacks, with the potential to disrupt global supply chains.

The logistics and manufacturing sectors are particularly vulnerable, as they rely on a large network of vendors, suppliers, and other third parties. This exposure creates multiple entry points for attackers that many operational employees may not recognize as security risks.

One proactive step organizations can take to protect themselves and their supply chain is conducting regular phishing training for employees.

Technical measures are necessary too, but what really makes a difference is having a human firewall that can recognize and report phishing attempts before they escalate into breaches. Let’s understand why.

The Rise of Sophisticated Supply Chain Phishing Attacks

Logistics and manufacturing companies may not sound like enticing targets to the average person, but to cybercriminals, they are the perfect. These companies have vast networks of interconnected entities, and compromising the weakest link can give attackers access to an entire supply chain.

As everything becomes digitized, operational teams like warehouse workers and logistics coordinators are the ideal targets for phishing schemes. These employees may have low security awareness, yet they’re likely to maintain access to highly sensitive systems and data. In a fast-paced environment, where trust-based communication is routine, phishing emails disguised as supplier updates, shipping notifications, or invoice requests can easily slip through the cracks.

One of the most common scams affecting this sector is double brokering, a type of phishing where the scammer pretends to be a legitimate freight broker. They take the money for a job that they’ll supposedly subcontract to a freight company, but that never happens. Fake invoice scams are also highly prevalent.

What Phishing Training Does for Supply Chain Security

From past incidents, it’s clear that even tech-savvy individuals can easily fall for a phishing scam, even ones that aren’t too sophisticated. Considering that most operational staff in the manufacturing and logistics sectors lack formal cybersecurity training and often prioritize efficiency over security, they become even more vulnerable to phishing scams.

Conducting regular phishing training addresses this issue and transforms employees from potential liabilities into proactive defenders of the supply chain. Staff will understand how common phishing scams are and how they work, but also learn how to spot red flags and verify suspicious requests.

Industry-specific and role-based phishing training exposes workers to realistic scenarios they could face on the job, which builds the confidence and instincts needed to distinguish from legitimate communication and scams like fake phishing updates or fraudulent invoices. 

With a trained workforce, the control over supply chain security remains with the organizations themselves, and doesn’t depend on whether a cybercrime group decides to launch a phishing campaign.  

Phishing Training as a Competitive Advantage

Organizations involved in complex supply chains must take cybersecurity seriously. Not doing so not only puts their business at risk but also jeopardizes their relationship with partners, vendors, and customers.

Today, cybersecurity is a business differentiator. Through phishing training and other security initiatives, you can demonstrate a strong commitment to cybersecurity, making you a reliable and secure partner in an industry where trust and uninterrupted operations are critical. 

We are already seeing businesses in many different sectors auditing their potential partners or vendors before any deal is signed. Phishing training can help you meet the standards of certifications like SOC 2 and ISO 27001, which are often required as proof of strong cybersecurity practices.

Cybersecurity risk isn’t going anywhere, so getting started on improving your phishing defense and overall security today will pay off handsomely today and into the future as these practices become a standard rather than a luxury.

What Other Measures Are Necessary?

Phishing training is one piece of the puzzle in the war against social engineering. Combining regular training with other, more technical measures creates a layered defense that further reduces the risk of successful attacks.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be standard practice for all sensitive accounts, along with strict access controls to limit privileges based on role and necessity. 

Email security filters can also be very useful to detect spam and malware before they ever reach the inbox.

Conclusion: Should You Invest in Phishing Training?

Phishing is one of the most significant risks to the modern supply chain. Operational staff is being bombarded with fake invoices, vendor impersonations, and other types of fraud, which can quickly escalate into a full-blown data breach or financial loss.

Considering these risks, phishing training is one of the most essential investments businesses can make to protect their operations and reputation, especially in industries where a single mistake can have a ripple effect on an entire chain of interconnected organizations.