CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2025 - Flipbook - Page 42
FEATURE : CYBER ATTACKS AND LOGISTICS
MEGAN POORTMAN
Head of Cyber Security,
London Gatwick Airport
Managing large supply chain estates
presents similar challenges across
various industries, including resources,
technologies, and toolsets. At Gatwick
Airport, with multiple suppliers, risk
assessment begins by discussing cyber security, which is not always
a top priority for suppliers. It’s essential to integrate cyber security
into business responsibility, much like health and safety practices in
the past. As part of critical national infrastructure, airports are prime
targets for cyber-attacks, not only affecting operators but also their
supply chains, making it crucial to address cyber security in supplier
reviews and contracts.
C K GOVIL
CMD, Activair Airfreight India
Government policy and industry-wide
collaboration are essential for enhancing cyber security standards across
global logistics networks. Governments
establish regulatory standards, such as
the General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR) in the European Union, offer incentives for cyber security investments, and support infrastructure development. Industry collaborations
facilitate threat intelligence sharing, creation of best practices, and
the adoption of standardised protocols, enhancing overall resilience.
International coordination ensures unified cyber security standards,
especially for cross-border operations.
including logistics. For instance, initiatives to enhance
maritime cyber security standards and secure rail
communication systems are already underway.
Furthermore, cultivating a cyber security conscious
corporate culture is essential. Employees, often the
weakest link in security protocols, must be trained to
recognise and respond to potential threats. Investment
in hiring and retaining cyber security talent can also
bolster organisational defences against increasingly
sophisticated attacks.
Megan stresses that the growing threat of cyber
attackers using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their
campaigns is a significant concern. “As an airport,
we are faced with various challenges every day, and
the tactics of cybercriminals are constantly evolving.
42 | CARGOCONNECT APRIL 2025
This makes it critical for cyber security professionals
to remain adaptable and responsive to new threats.”
Megan also highlights the importance of automating
repetitive, manual tasks in cyber security. “By collaborating with strategic partners, we can implement
tools to streamline these tasks, enabling our teams to
focus on more critical issues. Automation of routine
processes enhances e昀케ciency, reduces human error,
and accelerates response times, allowing organisations
to better manage emerging cyber threats and improve
overall security posture.”
Govil spotlights the critical role of government
policies and cross-industry collaboration in strengthening cyber security standards within global logistics
networks. Regarding policy-making, he points out that
governments worldwide set regulatory standards, such
as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in
the European Union, while also o昀昀ering incentives for
cyber security investments and supporting infrastructure
development.
On industry collaboration, Govil stresses the importance of sharing threat intelligence and developing
best practices, for instance, through platforms like
Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC), which
strengthen India’s overall cyber security framework.
He also emphasises the signi昀椀cance of international
cooperation, which helps create uni昀椀ed standards and
enables logistics companies to respond e昀케ciently to
cross-border threats.
In conclusion, Govil illustrates how these collective
e昀昀orts work to mitigate risks, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure a more secure global supply chain.
Parvinder echoes similar sentiments, stating,
“Government regulations and industry collaborations
are essential for raising cyber security standards across
logistics. Companies should strive to conform to ISO
27001:2022 protocols and conduct periodic Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT)
and application security audits.”
He further emphasises, “By fostering information-sharing among logistics providers, these e昀昀orts
significantly enhance overall security readiness.”
Parvinder highlights that Hans Infomatic supports such
collaborations, contributing our expertise to advance
cyber security standards and strengthen defences
against evolving threats in the global logistics ecosystem.
Cyber security is no longer an ancillary concern for
logistics; it is a core component of business resilience.
As the industry adapts to the challenges of an interconnected digital ecosystem, proactive measures will be
crucial to maintaining trust, operational continuity,
and economic stability.
The convergence of digital innovation and growing
cyber risks presents a paradox for the logistics industry:
while technology propels e昀케ciency and growth, it also
invites unprecedented vulnerabilities. Addressing this
dual challenge requires a concerted e昀昀ort across all
stakeholders. By prioritising cyber security alongside
operational excellence, the logistics sector can navigate
the complex landscape of cyber threats and ensure its
critical role in the global economy remains uninterrupted.
