With technological advancements creating new solutions in shipping, the potential of cyberattacks in the trucking industry has risen. In the digital age, this is partially true, with AI (Artificial Intelligence) becoming more common. AI raises the possibility for hackers to steal sensitive customer information and money. Cyber theft has also grown in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic growing online business and shipping. From 2020 to 2021, transport companies report that there was approximately a 186% increase in ransomware attacks. Last month, a prominent U.S. LTL shipping company was hit by a cyberattack, causing a power outage. This article will explain common cyberattacks and ways to protect your cargo when they happen.
What Are Common Cyberattacks In The Trucking Industry?
Since domestic transport tends to be a component of extensive supply chains, cyberattacks impact trucking in various ways. A common attack is known as ransomware. This malware blocks access to a computer’s system and holds it for ransom for payment. The amount can vary extensively; however, the average is close to $ 1.5 million in the trucking industry. Phishing is another frequent attack where hackers use fraudulent emails to gather sensitive company information. Cybercriminals also use phishing to get unauthorized access to a company’s system. A popular data storage that has recently grown in the trucking industry is cloud-based storage, which can also experience cyberattacks.
Compared to regular server attacks, cloud storage is a breach of a company with data on the Internet. Damages can range from theft of information or money to the rerouting of trucks to the wrong locations. The Internet has grown from a small network of computers to a network that anyone can access by countless devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) Is the networking of physical objects with software and censors for communicating via the Internet. As the trucking industry has grown in the usage of IoT, so have the possibilities of cyberattacks. For example, carriers with embedded GPS devices may be vulnerable to hackers, leading to theft.
How Can You Protect Your Cargo Against Cyberattacks?
While cyberattacks may be nearly impossible to avoid, there are ways to prevent the likelihood of them from happening. For both the carrier and shipper, it is crucial to understand the types of cyberattacks and how they happen. Shippers must understand what fraudulent emails look like and have strong passwords when doing transactions online. With domestic shipping increasingly digitalized, employees can be a company’s most significant risk factor. Workers may require routine training to identify suspicious online activity. Along with educating and training their employees, trucking companies should have a contingency plan if a cyberattack does happen. This can include backing up crucial shipment data.
Although the thought of potential cyberattacks can be scary for shippers, it should not stop you from moving your shipment. However, the shipper and the carrier should take proper steps to prevent mishaps in the shipment’s journey. Another way to safeguard your cargo is to talk to a freight broker regarding your cargo’s movement. Freight brokers are in touch with a network of carriers with safety protocols for preventing cyberattacks. Contact A1 Freight Solutions at 786-375-9420 or info@a1fsinc.com to speak to a broker regarding shipping your goods domestically.