The recent compromise of Sisense, a business analytics software company serving top-tier clients, has triggered a warning from U.S. cybersecurity authorities. The breach potentially exposed hundreds of Sisense customers to a supply chain attack, raising concerns about the security of interconnected business ecosystems.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an advisory urging Sisense customers to reset credentials and report any suspicious activity. The extent of the breach, the attackers' identity, and whether customer networks were accessed remain uncertain.
Marc Rogers, a seasoned cybersecurity researcher, stressed the severity of the breach, noting that Sisense has access to a wide range of its customers' confidential data sources. The breach's inclusion of tokens and credentials used to mediate that access represents a "worst-case scenario" for many Sisense customers, making it an "EXTREMELY serious event."
Sean Deuby, Principal Technologist at Semperis, highlighted the importance of an assumed breach mindset, given the supply chain's vulnerability, as seen in recent breaches at MGM Resorts and Caesars Palace. He recommended that companies identify critical services that are "single points of failure" and have a plan for potential disruptions, particularly in Active Directory environments.
Mayur Upadhyaya, CEO at APIContext, emphasized the growing importance of supply chain security, stating, "CISA's warning about the Sisense incident highlights the potential for a single breach to expose multiple customers through a supply chain attack." He underlined the need for proactive measures to secure supplier relationships and for clear communication and timely cyber disclosures to rebuild trust after an incident.
Sisense, used by over 2,000 global companies across various sectors, has yet to comment on the breach. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats to software as a service platforms and underscores the need for a comprehensive cybersecurity approach that includes robust access controls, real-time threat intelligence, and regular security assessments.