Hackers Are Now Targeting the Tools Behind Your Software, Not Just the Code

A new report highlights a shifting trend in cyberattacks: instead of targeting finished software applications, attackers are now focusing on the tools and processes used to build that software. This includes CI/CD pipelines (the automated systems that compile, test, and deploy code) and various developer tools that often receive far less security scrutiny than the final product.

For small and medium businesses that rely on third-party developers, software vendors, or in-house development teams, this is an important warning. If attackers compromise a development pipeline, they can potentially insert malicious code before it ever reaches customers, making the threat invisible until it's too late. The report emphasises that businesses need complete visibility across their entire software development lifecycle (SDLC), not just the final application, to catch these threats early.

This means applying strict security controls not only to the software itself, but to every stage of how it's built and deployed, including the automation tools, developer accounts, and third-party dependencies involved. As software supply chains grow more complex, this overlooked layer is becoming a favourite entry point for attackers.