Phishing Simulation for Third-Party Vendors: Securing the Supply Chain

As businesses increasingly rely on external partners for critical services, the risk of supply chain phishing attacks grows. According to the Verizon DBIR 2025, the percentage of breaches involving third parties doubled, increasing from 15% to 30%. This shift underscores the escalating risk associated with managing third-party vendors within interconnected supply chains, making phishing simulations essential to enhance vendor security and prepare them to respond to evolving threats effectively.

Without effective phishing simulations, a single compromised vendor can expose the entire supply chain to severe financial and reputational damage.

In this blog, we’ll explore how phishing simulations can help secure third-party vendors, reduce risks, and protect your organization’s supply chain with the support of Keepnet’s AI-powered Phishing Simulator, which delivers realistic, data-driven simulations to strengthen vendor awareness and readiness.

Understanding the Impact of Third-Party Phishing Attacks

Third-party phishing attacks occur when cybercriminals target a vendor, supplier, or partner to gain unauthorized access to an organization’s systems. These attacks exploit the trust and connectivity between companies and their external partners, often leading to data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage.

As supply chains become more interconnected, the risk of third-party phishing grows significantly. A compromised vendor can serve as a gateway for attackers, allowing threats to spread across the entire network. This makes phishing simulations an effective way to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen the cybersecurity posture of both the organization and its partners.

For more insights on securing third-party vulnerabilities, read the Keepnet article: Addressing the Supply Chain Security: Strategies to Secure Third-Party Vulnerabilities.

Why Phishing Simulations Are Significant for Third-Party Vendors

Third-party vendors are integral to business operations, but they also represent a significant cybersecurity risk. Attackers often exploit vendor relationships to breach larger organizations, using trusted connections to spread malware or steal sensitive data. This risk increases when vendors lack the robust security measures of the organizations they serve.

Here’s why phishing simulation software is important for third-party vendors:

• Identify Vulnerabilities: Simulations reveal how well vendors can recognize phishing attempts, helping to pinpoint weak spots in the supply chain.
• Test Response Times: By simulating phishing attacks, organizations can measure how quickly vendors detect and report threats, highlighting areas that need improvement.
• Security Awareness Training: Simulation results help develop targeted training programs to address specific vulnerabilities and improve awareness among vendor staff.
• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Regular phishing simulations reduce the likelihood of successful attacks by ensuring vendors remain vigilant and responsive.
• Strengthen Collaboration: Engaging vendors in security simulations fosters a shared responsibility for protecting the supply chain, building a culture of resilience.

By incorporating a phishing simulation service into vendor management practices, organizations can ensure their partners are not just compliant but actively involved in maintaining a secure supply chain.

How Keepnet Phishing Simulator Addresses Third-Party Phishing Risks

The AI-powered, adaptive Keepnet Phishing Simulator helps organizations secure their supply chain by simulating realistic, data-driven phishing attacks. It mirrors the latest social engineering tactics, allowing businesses to test and enhance vendor awareness effectively.

AI Key Features:

• Multiple Phishing Methods: Supports SMS, Voice, QR code, MFA, and Callback phishing to tackle different social engineering risks.
• Extensive Customization: Choose from 6,000+ templates and customize emails with 80+ merge tags for targeted campaigns.
• Global Reach: Deliver simulations in 120+ languages and across multiple time zones.
• Instant Training and Reporting: Automatically triggers micro-training on risky behavior and provides detailed metrics with industry benchmark comparisons.

With Keepnet’s adaptive phishing simulation, organizations can continuously strengthen vendor security and reduce the risk of supply chain breaches.

Key Strategies to Implement Phishing Simulations Effectively

Implementing phishing simulations effectively requires a strategic and structured approach. Here are the key steps to ensure success:

• Assess Vendor Risk: Start by evaluating your vendors' cybersecurity posture to identify high-risk partners. This helps prioritize simulation efforts.
• Design Targeted Phishing Tests: Customize phishing scenarios based on the specific roles and responsibilities of your vendors. Use templates that reflect the latest social engineering tactics.
• Integrate with Training: Link simulation outcomes with cyber security awareness training to address identified gaps. Immediate micro-training after a failed simulation can reinforce learning.
• Schedule Regular Simulations: Conduct simulations periodically to maintain awareness and ensure vendors stay vigilant against evolving threats.
• Analyze and Report: Use comprehensive reports to track simulation results, measure improvements, and benchmark against industry standards. Share insights with vendors to encourage proactive security measures.
• Foster a Security Culture: Involve vendors in simulation planning and feedback sessions to promote a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility.

By following these strategies, organizations can make phishing simulations more impactful, helping vendors build resilience against cyber threats.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Implementing phishing simulations for third-party vendors can present several challenges. Here’s a clear overview of common issues and effective solutions:

Table 1: Overcoming Challenges in Third-Party Phishing Simulations

By proactively addressing these challenges with targeted solutions, organizations can significantly improve the effectiveness of phishing simulations and foster greater engagement from third-party vendors. This approach not only enhances vendor security but also strengthens the entire supply chain's resilience against phishing attacks.

For more insights on how adaptive phishing simulations can build a secure culture, read the Keepnet article: The Role of Adaptive Phishing Simulations in Building a Secure Culture.

Additionally, read our guide to learn how to choose the right phishing simulation tool.

Building a Stronger Vendor Security Culture

Strengthening vendor security requires more than just running simulations—it involves building consistent security habits that shape a culture of vigilance. Phishing simulations help develop these habits by regularly training vendors to recognize and respond to potential threats, making secure practices an integral part of daily operations.

By conducting adaptive phishing simulations and offering targeted feedback, you help vendors stay alert to evolving risks. Sharing insights and results not only improves individual awareness but also fosters a culture of shared responsibility across the supply chain.

Start building security habits with Keepnet's Free Phishing Simulation Test. For more insights on creating a security-conscious environment, explore the Keepnet guide on Building a Security-Conscious Corporate Culture.