Third-party tools make modern businesses possible. They connect systems, automate processes, and keep information up to date across platforms.

Most businesses rely on plugins, SaaS tools and integrations to run efficiently. But what many organisations underestimate is, how much access these tools often receive. In security assessments, we regularly see integrations with broad permissions, outdated plugins, or connections that no one in the company even remembers adding.

Each of these connections expands the attack surface. And attackers often look for exactly those weak points.

Where Risks Come From

Third-party risks often appear in places businesses overlook.

Outdated software
Plugins or integrations that are not updated regularly can contain known vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit.

Too many permissions
Some tools request far more access than they actually need. If that account is compromised, attackers gain the same level of access.

Vendor breaches
If a provider you rely on is compromised, attackers may gain indirect access to your systems.

Real Incidents Show the Impact

Recent breaches show how attackers increasingly target third-party systems instead of the organisation itself.

In 2025, airlines including Air France and KLM reported a data breach after attackers gained access to a third-party platform used by their customer contact centres. The incident exposed passenger contact information and loyalty programme details, even though the airlines’ own internal systems were not directly compromised.

A similar lesson came from the cyberattack on Marks & Spencer in 2025. Attackers gained access to the retailer’s systems by compromising a third-party contractor and using social engineering to bypass security controls. The attack disrupted online orders and operations for weeks and cost the company hundreds of millions of pounds.

Supply-chain risks also affect everyday website software. In 2025, malicious code was briefly distributed through downloads of the popular Gravity Forms plugin. Websites that installed the compromised version could unknowingly give attackers administrative access to their site.

In each case, attackers did not break into the organisation directly. They entered through a trusted connection.

How to Reduce Third-Party Risk

You cannot eliminate third-party risk completely, but you can reduce it significantly.

Know what is connected to your systems
Keep an overview of all plugins, integrations and SaaS tools used within your organisation.

Limit permissions
Only grant the access that is actually required. Excessive permissions increase the impact of a breach.

Keep software updated
Security updates often fix vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.

Ask vendors about their security
Understanding how a provider manages authentication, updates and monitoring helps you make better decisions before adopting a tool.

Why This Matters

Third-party tools are essential for most businesses, but every integration expands your attack surface.

Regular security reviews and vulnerability scans help identify weak points before attackers do. Many organisations are surprised by how many external tools are connected to their systems and how much access those tools actually have.

Taking the time to review those connections now can prevent serious problems later.

Want to learn more about how a third-party assessment could help your business? Book a chat with us online, and we’ll guide you through the risks and next steps. No jargon, no pressure, just practical advice.