When companies identify risk, they typically consider cyberattacks, natural disasters, or just financial losses. But one of the most serious risks today lies in an area that’s neglected, the supply chain. In recent times, the supply chain security challenge in the Middle East has become more difficult than ever. Geopolitical events affect our supply chain. The frequency of cyberattacks has also increased. Supply Chain disruptions are no longer rare events.
Simply put: if your supply chain breaks, your business is broken as well.
Why the Middle East Supply Chain Is Different
The Middle East is a vast network of global shipping routes. When you consider that the Suez Canal accounts for nearly 30% of the world’s container traffic, we see how much risk culture affects supply chains in the Middle East. When the Red Sea crisis occurred in late 2023, container traffic through the Suez Canal had fallen almost 50%. This wasn’t just a number, it meant millions of shipments delayed, acquisitions costing more overnight, and companies struggling to reorganize supply chains.
Compounding these risks are conflict, added energy dependencies, and rising cyber risk. For example, a ransomware attack against a shipping company or oil producer may be localized, but the ripple effects will often go across national borders – confusing the genesis of a supply chain risk.
The Supply Chain Security Challenge for the Middle East is truly both local and global. Picture a manufacturer in Europe waiting for parts from the UAE.
A Suez Canal supply chain disruption in the Middle East creates delays not only for the manufacturer, but also to their downstream customers. The pace of risk propagation.
The Rise of Cyber Threats in Supply Chains
It’s not just the ships and ports. Today’s supply chains are incredibly digital. Everything is developed and executed via software and that’s where we find new vulnerabilities.
According Cyble threat intelligence company, supply chain cyber incidents are up by nearly 25% year on year. In April 2023 alone, there were 31 reported incidents with supply chain implications, which is the highest in several months. Supply chain incidents are inaugural often to IT and telecom companies, which you can understand. Attackers know that if they attack one software supplier, they can gain access to thousands downstream and hundreds of companies through that one victim.
Middle East supply chain cyber threats are concerning for a reason; they are not only targeting one victim; it is targeting the ecosystem itself.
Take ransomware for example: We have already seen Middle East oil and gas operations disrupted by ransomware via supply chain. Once an attacker exploits a single breach, or vulnerability, the explosion effect happens down the supply chain: The original victim, their partners, their customers and national infrastructure can all be affected.
The Human Element: Insider and Vendor Risks
Technology isn’t the only weak point. People matter too. One area that has relatively garnered little attention in the Supply Chain Security Challenge in the Middle East is insider threats. Imagine someone who works for a logistics company who is a contractor and has access to sensitive data. If, whether inadvertently or deliberately, that individual provides his credentials to someone, then the attacker has an existing access point to the system.
These insider threats in Middle East supply chain operations are often not identified until real damage has been done. Vendors are another serious risk. Most companies have dozens, if not hundreds of suppliers. One weak vendor will compromise an entire supply chain if the companies are not keeping a close eye on their vendors.
Vendor risk management in Middle East supply chains has officially changed from a nice-to-have to a critical strategy for survival.
Geopolitics and Supply Chain
Supply chains in the Middle East don’t just face technical risks. Political and regional instability plays a massive role. The Israel-Iran conflict, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, or port closures could lead to geopolitical supply chain risks where Middle East businesses need to evaluate ways to mitigate. For example:
- Strait of Hormuz closures could delay shipments by 10 to 14 days.
- Regional ports, like Jebel Ali, may see 30% to 50% cost spikes if tensions escalate.
- Railfreight from Asia to Europe already has seen a 9% increase to complete demand at the start of 2025, indicating businesses are actively rerouting due to risk.
The message is clear—politics are outside of your control, but you can control your supply chain’s resilience.
Identifying Risk Before it Impacts Business
So how can organizations prepare? Visibility. You cannot protect against risk that you cannot see. Having end-to-end visibility of Middle East supply chain processes enables businesses to see points of weakness before they manifest as crises.
For example, knowing how to monitor third party vendors, scan for software vulnerabilities, and map shipment routes uncover latent risks that could scale. This is where OSINT for supply chain risk in the Middle East can be useful.
Open-source intelligence can detect chatter on the dark web forums, leaked credentials, and even preliminary signs of planned cyberattacks. It is like an early-warning radar system to identify storms before they hit your ship.
The Role of Standards and Frameworks
For companies unsure where to start, international standards provide a roadmap. The ISO 28000 supply chain security standard is one example. It focuses on security management for the supply chain and gives organizations a structured way to address threats.
Following such frameworks helps businesses not only reduce risk but also build trust with partners and customers.
How Third-Party Risk Management Helps
No company can do this alone. Most risks come from external vendors, contractors, or service providers. This is where Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) becomes critical.
Cyble’s Third-Party Risk Management solution is designed for this challenge. It helps organizations map their vendor ecosystem, identify vulnerabilities, and assess exposure across different regions. With insights backed by data and intelligence, businesses can detect issues before they turn into disruptions.
For example, if a supplier in the Middle East shows early signs of compromise, Cyble’s TPRM can flag it, allowing businesses to take preventive steps. This isn’t about replacing internal teams but empowering them with the right intelligence to act fast.
The past few years have already shown us the cost of ignoring supply chain risks.
- COVID-19 taught businesses what happens when overreliance on one region causes global shortages.
- The Red Sea crisis proved how one conflict can choke 30% of global trade overnight.
- Recent data shows a near doubling of monthly cyberattacks with supply chain impact.
The Supply Chain Security Challenge in the Middle East is not abstract — it’s happening in real time. Companies that adapt will survive. Those that don’t risk more than just delays; they risk their reputation and trust.
Building Resilience for the Future
So, what’s the way forward? It’s not about predicting every disruption but preparing for them. Businesses should:
- Invest in supply chain risk assessment Middle East strategies to understand where they’re vulnerable.
- Use frameworks like ISO 28000 supply chain security standard to benchmark progress.
- Rely on data-driven intelligence like OSINT for supply chain risk in the Middle East to stay ahead of cyber threats.
- Strengthen vendor risk management Middle East supply chains practices to reduce exposure.
- Plan for chokepoints such as the Suez Canal supply chain disruption Middle East scenarios.
The Supply Chain Security Challenge in the Middle East is a reminder that in today’s world, risks travel faster than goods.
With better visibility, smarter intelligence, and strong third-party risk management, businesses can detect risks before they disrupt. The goal isn’t to eliminate risk entirely, but to make sure that when disruption comes, you’re ready to keep moving.
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