Truesec: A single weak link can bring down the entire chain

Mats Hultgren, Director of Cyber Risk at Truesec, is one of Europe’s most experienced experts in incident management and advisory services. Over his 13 years at Truesec, he has developed strategies and built teams that today handle most major cyber incidents in Sweden. Truesec is a leading cybersecurity company and operates the largest Security Operations Center in the Nordics, monitoring more than 250 companies around the clock.

At Elmia Subcontractor, Mats aims to raise awareness that cyber threats are not just a concern for large corporations. Often, it is the smaller suppliers that become the entry point for attackers. For a cybercriminal, it is easier to target a small company with ten employees than to break through the defenses of a large corporation.

– We have built an industry where the entire ecosystem is interconnected. This means that even small companies need the same level of cybersecurity as their largest customers, otherwise the consequences can be catastrophic, says Mats Hultgren.

From computerization to digitalization

We have digitized our operations at record speed, especially during the pandemic. But security measures have not kept pace. When business-critical processes rely entirely on IT, a single breach can have devastating consequences.

– We have long said that we are digitalized, but in practice, we have only computerized our operations. True digitalization is happening now with AI. The problem is that we have not invested in security at the same pace. Threat actors, often linked to organized crime or nation state-backed groups, exploit the weakest points, which are often the subcontractors, Mats continues.

Companies need to open their eyes

During his talk at Elmia Subcontractor, Mats will provide an overview of the threat landscape and highlight the most critical measures for companies today. He will discuss how supply chains have become a vulnerability, why new technologies including AI and regulations such as NIS2 increase pressure, and why control and transparency are just as important as the technology itself.

– I am most looking forward to meeting industry players and raising awareness about the seriousness of the situation and helping people open their eyes to what is happening. Sweden depends on its subcontractors. If they are taken out, Sweden is affected. I hope more people will understand how critical this is and that we need to act together to avoid becoming the next headline in the news, concludes Mats.

Truesec will also be present in the Smart Arena at the fair for anyone interested in learning more about strengthening their cybersecurity.