Cyber Safety Cyber security

Why Logistics is the next big target for Cybercrime and How can You Prepare for it

Cybersecurity is now a hot topic for logistics firms. Around 2017, there had been major ransomware attacks on A.P. Moller-Maersk, an integrated shipping company, and Clarksons, provider of shipping services. From the biggest global operations to SMEs operators, everyone in the industry is facing some risk.

Why is Logistics the Next Big Target for Cybercrime?

Logistics networks are vulnerable to untargeted and targeted attacks. In an untargeted attack, malicious software is injected into the system to target any weakness it can find, to access, and immobilize any operation, if possible. They are often disseminated through simple apps for operations like accounting or tracking. The other one is targeted attacks, aimed at a particular company’s data and injected for a particular system’s breakdown or any such similar damage.

Logistics firms are particularly at risk from:

  • Embedded malware and network vulnerabilities from the connected device
  • Poor cybersecurity awareness in the company
  • Poor cybersecurity practice by suppliers and partners
  • Unpatched systems across long supply chains with multiple devices involved
  • Specific pieces of crimeware: ransomware, remote admin tools and keyloggers

“People leave loopholes for cybercriminals”

The main thing to understand about these vulnerabilities is that most of them exist between humans and machines, not in the machines themselves. If an employee chooses to connect an unsecured smartphone to the company network, they create a network vulnerability. If an employee puts off patching their computer and updating their software, they leave room for risky cybercrimes. People often leave loopholes for cybercriminals; increasing awareness and training them to close those loopholes is the cornerstone of good cybersecurity practice.

5 Ways You Can Prepare For It

1) Most cybercrime targets the weak link in any system, aka the people. So, the best cyber defence starts with people. Education, training, and great people management are the key elements of cybersecurity right now.

2) Hiring a cybersecurity team with a sole focus on safeguarding company data and information will ensure that you are adequately protected against the risk of an attack.

3) Putting a sufficient security protocol in place will help to define and set the standard of security within your business.

4) Effectively scanning and screening staff’s personal devices before connecting to the company network is another way to ensure protection against an attack.

5) Regular and up-to-date patching of systems and software updates by IT teams is mandatory since attacking an obsolete technology is much easier for hackers.

Organisations need to keep evaluating their security and conduct stress tests on their own systems to establish any points of weakness. Systems become vulnerable at the joints, where different programs and apps connect and network, or where a different organisation takes over responsibility, so those changeovers need attention.

In an industry that’s traditionally hands-on and hardware-focused, digital transformation means more than just bringing in new technology. It means transforming mindsets. Companies and people must understand how to use the tech safely and securely, and ensure that a threat is handled in good time and good order.

Want an expert cybersecurity team to guard your data and systems? Get in touch with Trixter Cyber Solutions!

You can get in touch with us by simply filling up the contact form here.

Follow Trixter Cyber Solutions on LinkedIn for a weekly dose of useful cybersecurity updates and information.

 

Source

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *