Supply Chain Security: A UK Defence Imperative

The threat is tangible and growing: the 2024 MoD payroll breach, in which suspected state-sponsored hackers targeted a third-party payroll provider, exposed the names and bank details of up to 270,000 serving and former military personnel. It is a clear reminder that in defence, supply chain vulnerabilities are not merely a commercial risk – they are a national security concern.

Defence infrastructure depends on a wide range of IT, OT and IoT systems spanning physical security, video surveillance, estate management and logistics. Greater connectivity improves efficiency and situational awareness, but it also introduces vulnerabilities, particularly where legacy systems interface with modern networks. The 2025 Strategic Defence Review acknowledged this, committing £1 billion to establish a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command alongside a broader uplift in defence spending.

A Relentless Threat Landscape

Nation-state actors, notably from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, continue to target UK defence and critical national infrastructure. The NCSC’s 2025 Annual Review recorded 204 nationally significant cyber incidents handled in a single year – a 130% increase on the previous year. An estimated 90% of organisations working in critical national infrastructure have experienced an increase in attempted or successful cyber attacks.

A recent report estimated 80% of all cyber attacks now involve a supplier or vendor. Rather than attacking well-protected systems directly, sophisticated threat actors exploit the supply chain as a route in. Smaller contractors, embedded technologies and trusted software platforms are all potential entry points. This is compounded in environments where Operational Technology has evolved over time, and without consistent security reviews and assessments, leaving unseen dependencies and exposures across the supply chain.

The consequences can be severe, with high-profile UK incidents, such as the Jaguar Land Rover breach, resulting in £120 million in lost profits and £1.7 billion in revenue disruption, in just one month. These aren’t isolated incidents; they are the new normal in our interconnected digital ecosystem.

Working With Trusted Partners

Managing supply chain risk in UK defence requires suppliers who combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of UK-specific security and compliance requirements. Key considerations include:

• Cyber Essentials Plus certification, which is mandatory for all MoD supply chain contracts under DEFCON 658 and cascades to subcontractors handling relevant information
• Alignment with Defence Standard 05-138, which sets out additional security controls for handling MoD information at OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE and above
• Engagement with the Defence Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP) and the new Defence Cyber Certification (DCC) scheme, launched by the MoD and IASME to tier supply chain security requirements by risk level
• Demonstrated experience delivering solutions within sensitive and mission-critical environments, with visibility and control across integrated physical and cyber systems

Embedding Security for Operational Resilience UK defence environments demand consistent, reliable performance under persistent threat. Security and supply chain resilience must be embedded throughout the full lifecycle of any solution – from the initial design through deployment and ongoing support. Trusted partners support this by helping to anticipate threats, maintain continuity and adapt as the risk landscape evolves.

As defence operations become increasingly reliant on connected technologies and external suppliers, the stakes will only rise. Organisations that work with credible, accredited partners who embed security at every stage of the supply chain will be best placed to protect critical assets and sustain resilience in an ever more complex threat environment.

Written by Richard Green, Managing Director – Defence & Justice. Originally produced as a guest blog for techUK.