Illinois Businesses Are Taking Supply Chain Security Seriously—Here’s How They’re Protecting Third-Party Software Dependencies in 2025
The cybersecurity landscape in Illinois has never been more challenging. Supply chain attacks are projected to cost businesses $60 billion globally in 2025, with attacks increasing by 25% in recent months. For Illinois businesses, this threat is particularly acute as Gartner predicts that 45% of organizations worldwide will experience attacks on their software supply chains by 2025—a three-fold increase from 2021.
The reality facing Illinois companies is stark: supply chain attacks scale exponentially, where one compromised provider can cascade to thousands of clients. This interconnected vulnerability has forced businesses across the Prairie State to fundamentally rethink their approach to third-party software security.
The Growing Complexity of Software Dependencies
Modern Illinois businesses face an unprecedented challenge in managing their software ecosystems. Open-source software now makes up an estimated 70 to 90 percent of any given software package, while a single organization uses an average of 112 SaaS applications, with each software application having 150 dependencies—90% of which are indirect dependencies.
This complexity creates what cybersecurity experts call “shadow dependencies”—components that organizations don’t even realize they’re using. A recent study revealed that 84% of codebases include at least one known open-source vulnerability, highlighting the urgent need for better visibility and control over third-party components.
Illinois Companies Embrace Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Forward-thinking Illinois businesses are turning to Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) as their primary defense against supply chain attacks. An SBOM is a formal record detailing the components and supply chain relationships used in building software, acting as a software “ingredients list” that provides organizations with essential visibility into software dependencies.
Gartner predicts that by 2025, 60% of organizations building or procuring critical infrastructure software will mandate SBOMs, up from less than 20% in 2022. Illinois businesses are ahead of this curve, implementing SBOM practices to gain unprecedented visibility into their software supply chains.
The benefits are tangible: SBOMs facilitate rapid response to emerging vulnerabilities by identifying vulnerabilities in software applications through surfacing information about third-party libraries and dependencies, enabling teams to make data-informed decisions about managing software components.
Proactive Risk Management Strategies
Illinois businesses are implementing comprehensive third-party risk management programs that go beyond traditional security measures. By disrupting an attacker’s progression along the Privileged Pathway, breach attempts and supply chain attacks can be prevented through effective Privileged Access Management (PAM) frameworks.
Key strategies being deployed include:
- Continuous Monitoring: Implementation of SIEM, Active Directory monitoring, and data loss prevention (DLP) tools for unusual activity detection
- Vendor Assessment: Due diligence before aligning with software vendors, seeking out vendors that comply with industry standards and have published vulnerability disclosure policies, with regular auditing and code reviews
- Multi-Factor Authentication: Strong user identity and authentication, including multi-factor authentication and biometrics, plus machine authentication with device compliance and health checks
Regulatory Compliance Driving Change
Illinois businesses are also responding to increasing regulatory pressure. New standards like PCI DSS 4.0.1, effective March 31, 2025, require businesses handling credit card data to secure client-side scripts, with non-compliance risking fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage.
According to the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025, 78% of CISOs and 87% of CEOs identify improving security posture and mitigating cyber risks as primary motivations for adopting new regulations, with regulators globally accelerating efforts to implement requirements on certifications, reporting and accountability.
Local Expertise Supporting Illinois Businesses
Illinois companies don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Local cybersecurity providers are stepping up to offer specialized Cybersecurity Services in Illinois that address supply chain vulnerabilities head-on. Since 1991, established IT providers in central Illinois have been helping hundreds of businesses increase productivity and profitability by making IT a streamlined part of operations, equipping clients with customized technology solutions for greater operational value and to reduce risk.
These providers understand the unique challenges facing Illinois businesses, from healthcare organizations delivering critical care services to manufacturing companies producing goods at scale, engineering firms driving progress through design and development, and financial institutions managing wealth and resources.
The Path Forward
As supply chain attacks continue to evolve, Illinois businesses are proving that proactive defense is not just possible—it’s profitable. Research shows that 60% of small businesses close within six months of a major cyberattack due to lost trust and financial burden, making investment in supply chain security a business imperative rather than just a technical consideration.
The most successful Illinois companies are treating supply chain security as a strategic business initiative, involving procurement teams, operations managers, and IT security personnel in collaborative efforts to vet vendors, enforce cybersecurity standards, and share critical information.
The key mindset shift is accepting that supply chain breaches are a “when, not if” scenario, building the capacity to respond and recover quickly. The winners in this high-stakes environment will be those who prioritize “continuity under fire”—maintaining operations even as attacks happen.
For Illinois businesses, 2025 represents a critical turning point. Those who invest in comprehensive supply chain security measures, implement SBOM practices, and partner with experienced local cybersecurity providers will not only protect themselves from devastating attacks but gain a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital marketplace.