Nearly a third of bosses report increase in cyber-attacks on their supply chains

CIPS survey shows cyber threats have risen up the list of concerns for procurement managers

Almost a third of bosses have reported an increase in cyber-attacks on their supply chains over the past six months, as the fallout from devastating hacks on corporate stalwarts including Jaguar Land Rover highlighted a growing threat to businesses.

Cyber threats have risen up the list of concerns for procurement managers at hundreds of companies worldwide across industries including manufacturing, energy and technology, according to a survey conducted in September by industry body the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (Cips).

Recent hacks at companies including Marks & Spencer and the Co-op have cost them tens of millions of pounds, moving cyber resilience from the focus of businesses’ IT departments to a preoccupation of their boards and senior management.

Fears about the impact of geopolitical instability, including conflict in the Middle East, and the introduction of Donald Trump’s tariffs weighed on procurement bosses in the first half of the year, according to previous Cips surveys, which recorded the highest levels of short- and longer-term anxiety over supply chains.