There’s no arguing that technology has changed how the trucking industry operates, from route optimization software and telematics to digital freight matching and the electronic processing of essential documents.
However, with the increased use of technology comes the increased risk of electronic threats and cybersecurity breaches. These threats could put your data and operations at risk, leading to the loss of revenue and damage to your company’s reputation.
Interested in finding out how to protect your fleet and drivers from dangerous cybersecurity breaches? Keep reading to find out more about modern solutions to protect your data and guard your business against hackers, phishing scams, and more.
Common Cybersecurity Threats in the Trucking Industry
As technology continues to advance, so do the methods used to breach cybersecurity across all sectors. These are some of the common threats that all motor carrier employers should be aware of and on the lookout for.
Email phishing is the most common way that hackers breach cybersecurity and gain network access. Phishing scams, which are often conducted via email but can be done over the phone, appear as communications from reputable sources. However, they are actually used to gain access to sensitive data like client information and login credentials. When it comes to phishing, even a click of an email could compromise the safety of a company’s entire network.
Ransomware is a type of malware that is used by hackers to encrypt a company’s data. Hackers then threaten to publish, delete, or further block access to the data unless a ransom is paid. These attacks can disrupt operations, delay shipments, and result in significant financial loss.
Hacking is a broad term for the act of breaking into a computer system. Hackers can use malware to steal or encrypt data, leak private information, or otherwise derail operations. Hackers gain access through phishing schemes, weak passwords, or vulnerabilities in software systems. This can severely affect carriers by disrupting logistics and damaging their reputation with customers.
Recommendations to Protect Against Cybersecurity Threats
Modern businesses must have a range of strategies in place to protect against these varying cybersecurity threats. Investing time and resources to ensure your technology is up to date and your data is safe will be more than worth it in the long run as it prevents costly breaches and safeguards your company’s reputation and operational efficiency.
User awareness training, which should be a part of implementing overall company cybersecurity policies, is arguably the most important step in protecting employees and company data. All drivers and employees should be trained on safe online practices, including avoiding suspicious links, phishing emails, and unauthorized downloads.
Monitor and control network access by limiting access to sensitive company data to authorized personnel only. It is important to always be aware of what data is accessible by which employees, and to regularly review access permissions and revoke unnecessary privileges in the case of staffing changes.
Data encryption is another tool that can be used to protect sensitive information from interception. Make sure to encrypt data transmitted between drivers, dispatch, and other endpoints. Implementing multi-factor authentication measures, such as a combination of email/phone/text message authentication, can also enhance security and protect important data from hackers.
Keep systems up to date and patch vulnerabilities. Hackers are always looking for weak points in network safety to exploit, which makes old and outdated systems potentially dangerous. Be sure to enable automatic updates for operating systems and critical applications, as new updates will have the best protection methods against threats and vulnerabilities. Systems that can’t be updated should be protected with compensating controls, like enhanced firewalls, intrusion detection systems, network segmentation, and regular security audits to monitor for suspicious activity and mitigate potential risks.
Develop a comprehensive incident response plan in the case of any form of cybersecurity breach. Although businesses should conduct regular risk assessment to spot vulnerabilities in fleet systems and software, it is not possible to always catch a threat ahead of time. Prepare for potential cyber incidents by having a well-defined response plan in place, including steps for identifying, containing, and recovering from breaches.
Although the digitalization of the trucking industry has streamlined processes and changed operations for the better, it also has opened the door for increasing cybersecurity threats. Protect your employees and fleet by staying ahead of the curve and ensuring your data and reputation are safeguarded.
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