Supply chain cybersecurity becomes a priority: Black Kite expands its presence in EMEA in response to growing business demand

Royalty-free stock photograph created by FlyD and Unsplash.

Cybersecurity in the Supply Chain

Cyber ​​risk firm Black Kite announces its expansion in the EMEA region, including Spain, to meet the growing demand for Third-Party Profit and Loss Risk Management (TPCRM) solutions. This move underscores the urgent need for international companies to protect their global supply chains.

---

The company specializing in cyber risk management Black Kite has announced a significant expansion of its presence in the region of EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), in direct response to the growing corporate demand for solutions for the Third-Party Cyber ​​Risk Management (TPCRM)This decision, disseminated through PA MediaThis highlights a critical trend for Spanish companies with international operations: cybersecurity is no longer limited to the borders of the organization itself, but extends to its entire network of suppliers and business partners.

Companies' reliance on a global ecosystem of suppliers—from logistics partners and distributors to software and raw material providers—has created a much broader and more complex attack surface. A security incident in a single link of the supply chain can lead to operational disruptions, financial losses, and severe reputational damage for the parent company.

The weakest link: Third-party risk in foreign trade

The concept of Third-Party Cyber ​​Risk Management (TPCRM) focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks emanating from external partners. Cybersecurity and foreign trade experts consulted by Empresa Exterior They point out that "the resilience of an exporting company is directly proportional to the security of its most vulnerable partner." The expansion of firms like Black Kite in the market of EMEA It indicates that senior management is becoming aware that protecting the value chain is a strategic responsibility, not merely technical responsibility.

This strategic move responds to a market need that can no longer be ignored. Companies are seeking continuous, real-time visibility into their suppliers' security posture to make informed decisions, ensure business continuity, and comply with increasingly stringent data protection and cybersecurity regulations.

Implications for Spanish exporting companies

For Spain's highly internationalized business sector, this global trend has direct consequences and requires proactive action. The expansion of TPCRM solution providers in the region facilitates access to tools that until now could be considered niche. The main implications for Spanish managers are:

• Supply chain audit: The need to assess the cybersecurity maturity of business partners becomes an indispensable requirement in the supplier approval and contracting processes.
• Business continuity: A cyberattack disrupting a key supplier can paralyze production or service delivery. Managing this risk is essential to ensuring export operations.
• Regulatory compliance: Regulations such as the directive NIS2 In Europe, they demand rigorous management of security in the supply chain, making companies jointly responsible for the breaches of their suppliers.
• Competitive advantage: Demonstrating robust cybersecurity management across the entire value chain can become a key differentiator in gaining the trust of international customers and partners.

Key points and frequently asked questions about Third-Party Risk (TPCRM)

What exactly is Third-Party Risk Management (TPCRM)?

It is the process by which companies identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks associated with their suppliers, partners, and any other external entities with which they share data or on which their operations depend. The goal is to ensure that the third-party network does not become an entry point for cyberattacks.

How does this trend affect a Spanish exporting SME?

Even if an SME has limited resources, the risk is equally significant. An attack on its logistics operator or its supplier of a critical component can halt its exports. Adopting TPCRM solutions, now more accessible in EuropaIt allows SMEs to assess their most critical partners and demand minimum security standards, thereby protecting their core business.

What are the first steps to mitigate cyber risk in the supply chain?

The first step is to create an inventory of all external suppliers and partners, classifying them according to their level of criticality and their access to the company's systems or data. Next, minimum cybersecurity requirements should be established in contracts, and finally, platforms or services should be used to continuously monitor the security posture of the most strategic partners.