CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2025 - Flipbook - Page 41
CYBER ATTACKS AND LOGISTICS : FEATURE
deep reliance on global IT providers and the potential
cascading e昀昀ects of disruptions within supply chains.
It underscored the importance of proactive resilience
planning, such as conducting tabletop exercises to
simulate and prepare for unexpected events. While
the scale and impact were unforeseen, the rapid and
collaborative sharing of technical 昀椀xes by the cyber
community highlighted a key strength—shared intelligence across stakeholders,” she explains.
Megan continues, “This event also demonstrated
the importance of vertical networking, particularly in
the aviation industry, where supply chains are deeply
interconnected. Airports, airlines, and IT providers
worked together to distribute and implement fixes
quickly, breaking down competitive silos. This collective
approach strengthens supply chain resiliency by ensuring vulnerabilities are addressed e昀케ciently, reducing
potential downtime and safeguarding operations.”
She concludes by emphasising that fostering such
cooperation and preparedness across the industry is
a vital step toward robust cyber defences.
Addressing Systemic
Weaknesses
The logistics sector’s vulnerabilities stem from outdated
cyber security frameworks, a shortage of skilled cyber
defence professionals, and insufficient regulatory
oversight. Many companies still operate legacy systems
incapable of withstanding sophisticated cyber-attacks.
Moreover, the industry’s reliance on third-party providers
introduces additional risks, as these partners often
lack the rigorous security protocols needed to protect
shared networks.
Regulatory gaps exacerbate the issue. Unlike 昀椀nancial
services or healthcare, logistics has relatively few
binding cyber security standards, leaving companies
to self-regulate. The absence of cohesive frameworks
makes it di昀케cult to establish consistent practices across
the supply chain, further widening the attack surface.
To mitigate risks, logistics firms are adopting
advanced cyber security measures. Zero-trust architectures, which treat all devices and users as potential
threats, are gaining traction. These systems ensure
continuous authentication and limit lateral movement
within networks, significantly reducing the risk of
breaches.
Govil emphasises the importance of adopting robust
cyber security measures in logistics without disrupting
operational e昀케ciency. He highlights, “Implementing
advanced strategies like network segmentation, which
isolates critical systems, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for secure access, are essential 昀椀rst steps.
Encryption ensures sensitive data remains secure,
even if intercepted. Tools like Endpoint Detection and
Response (EDR) monitor for threats in real time, while
regular updates and automated patch management
close known vulnerabilities seamlessly.”
Govil also stresses the human element. “Regular
employee training is crucial. A well-informed workforce
can act as the 昀椀rst line of defence against phishing and
other cyber threats.” He advocates for forward-looking
solutions like Blockchain for data integrity, saying,
“Blockchain not only secures data but also ensures
transparency, which is vital in logistics transactions.”
He adds, “Threat intelligence tools and simulation
tests enable proactive monitoring and preparation.
Integrating these measures into daily operations ensures
logistics companies remain secure without compromising
performance.”
Parvinder underscores the pivotal role of Hans Infomatic in integrating advanced
cyber security measures
within logistics operations.
Sharing intelligence
“Hans Infomatic’s solutions
about threats and
are designed with multi-layered
breaches helps create
security at their core. We utilise
a unified defence
AI-powered threat detection,
multi-factor authentication, and
against attackers.
advanced encryption protocols
Governments and
to shield supply chain systems
international
e昀昀ectively,” he asserts.
organisations are
Highlighting their innovative approach, he adds, “Our
beginning to invest in
adoption of Blockchain techcyber security
nology ensures data integrity
infrastructure for
across the supply chain, providcritical sectors.
ing an additional safeguard.
Continuous security audits and
employee training are integral
parts of our strategy, ensuring protocols remain robust
and adaptable without disrupting daily operations.”
Strengthening Cyber Security
Collaboration
Collaboration across the industry is also critical. Sharing
intelligence about threats and breaches helps create a
uni昀椀ed defence against attackers. Governments and
international organisations are beginning to invest
in cyber security infrastructure for critical sectors,
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