Even if your systems are secure, your partners’ vulnerabilities can still expose your business. In this article, we share a six-step action plan.
Earlier this year, Adidas suffered a cyber attack – but it didn’t originate within their organisation. It came from a third-party supplier. The breach exposed sensitive employee and contractor data, highlighting a growing issue: your security is only as strong as the weakest link in your supply chain.
As we explored in our article, Adidas Cyber Attack: A Reminder That No Business Is Safe from Data Breaches, third-party risks are becoming more common – and more damaging.
When a supplier or technology partner suffers a data breach, it’s not just their problem. It can quickly become yours. Whether it’s a cloud platform, file-sharing tool, marketing agency or outsourced IT vendor, their breach could put your data, systems or client relationships at risk.
Knowing how to respond swiftly and effectively can protect your business from unnecessary damage – and strengthen your resilience in the long run.
Third-Party Breaches Are a Real Business Threat
No business operates in a vacuum. From cloud storage to collaboration tools, most companies now rely on external vendors and platforms to function day-to-day.
That reliance comes with risk. When a supplier experiences a security incident, it may expose:
- Sensitive client or employee data
- Access credentials or API keys
- Your business’s internal systems (if integrated)
- Your reputation, especially in regulated or high-trust industries
This is particularly important in creative, tech-driven or collaborative sectors where files, ideas and client IP are constantly being shared. Explore how we help secure this kind of environment with our tailored cyber security support for SMEs.
What to Do If a Partner Is Breached
Your six-step action plan:
1. Don’t Panic – Investigate
- Confirm the details of the breach and whether your business is affected.
- What data or system access did the supplier have?
2. Alert the Right People
- Your internal IT team, legal counsel, leadership and (if applicable) compliance teams should all be informed.
3. Check the Contract
- Look at your agreement with the supplier. Are there SLAs or clauses that define breach responsibilities or notification timelines?
4. Assess Your Exposure
- Is there any sign of unusual activity in your systems?
- Have client details, intellectual property, or credentials been accessed?
5. Take Temporary Precautions
- Revoke shared access, suspend integrations or change passwords if appropriate.
6. Log and Document Everything
- You’ll need this for compliance, cyber insurance, and future audits.
Need support evaluating the impact of a breach or responding to one in real-time? Our IT Support team is here to help.
When to Notify Clients or Users
If the breach involved client or user data, or if there’s a realistic chance of downstream risk, it may be necessary – and in some cases, legally required – to inform those affected.
Under GDPR and similar data protection regulations, businesses are obliged to act transparently and in a timely manner. A well-worded, proactive notification can help retain trust and demonstrate responsibility.
How to Reduce the Risk in Future
Prevention starts long before a breach occurs
You can’t stop all third-party threats. But you can put protections in place to limit your exposure and strengthen your response.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Vet suppliers carefully – Ask about their security accreditations (ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, SOC 2).
- Limit the data you share – Only provide what’s needed for the task.
- Review access rights regularly – Remove unused credentials and integrations.
- Update your contracts – Include breach notification terms and shared responsibility clauses.
- Include vendors in your incident response plan – They’re part of your ecosystem.
If you’d like support building stronger supplier agreements or reviewing current risk, speak to us about IT Strategy services tailored to growing businesses.
How Dr Logic Helps Businesses Stay Resilient
We support growing companies with the tools, processes and partnerships they need to stay secure – even when third-party risks emerge.
Our team can help you:
- Identify and assess supplier risks
- Build stronger contracts and controls
- Respond to breaches with speed and clarity
- Communicate clearly with clients, insurers or regulators
- Strengthen your IT environment to prevent future exposure
Let’s talk about keeping your business protected, no matter who you’re working with.
