With the global supply chain continuing to be unpredictable, I want to share three key factors that could potentially affect your future projects and support requests.
- Supply Chain Outlook 2023
Expect supply chain disruptions to continue through the end of 2023, resulting in delays for the technology industry. Two significant factors are thief and production capacity.
- Freight thief is a growing problem, partly due to the volume of products sitting at rest in ports and shipping yards. Fraudulent transportation companies are on the rise, preying on companies desperate to get loads stuck in freight terminals to the customer. Coming into 2023, electronics are the second highest type of freight being targeted by scammers who pose as legitimate logistic companies.
- Semiconductor manufacturers continue to struggle to meet demand, and while solutions are coming, their impact will be slow to provide relief. Texas Instruments, Samsung, Intel, and TSMC are building new semiconductor plants in the U.S., with production planned to begin in 2024/2025.
- Increased Security Threat
Cyber-attacks on the software and hardware used in the supply chain are increasing in both frequency and severity, creating more delays in both manufacturing and transportation.
- Hackers look for the weakest link, often targeting third-party vendors connected to the real target.
- Digital data sharing, which is an essential part of supply chain operations, poses an ever-increasing attack surface. Maintaining control of the data your company needs to conduct business should be part of an active, ongoing plan and not something left to chance or only discussed after a breach has occurred.
- Be Proactive
While the global supply chain is affecting the ability to stay up to date with technology, there are ways you can prepare.
- Take inventory of hardware – talk with us about aging or end-of-life hardware.
- Look at system requirements for new/upgraded software – we will help you identify hardware changes.
- Talk to your third-party technology providers – DCR will help evaluate risk levels based on their input.
- Routinely evaluate your own security policies – ask us about Business Continuity planning.
Our team is ready to provide guidance and planning when you are ready, or if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call.