The transportation industry relies heavily on management and maintenance software that is often outdated in terms of security. These programs, while crucial for managing trucking companies, may lack the advanced security features that are essential today. This gap exposes trucking companies to cyberattacks, which pose a serious threat to the security of data such as drivers’ personal information, vehicle locations, and details necessary for cargo collection.
Such shortcomings and negligence can have serious financial and legal consequences that trucking company owners and managers cannot ignore.
Never before in history has the transportation industry had to deal with so much theft. With the development of technology, and in particular modern systems operated by artificial intelligence (AI), methods of theft are also changing.
It is important to realize that the transportation industry is currently a major target for cyberattacks. The number of attacks on this sector of the economy has increased by 186% year-on-year. Moreover, according to the United States Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the trucking industry carries the majority of cargo in North America, as much as 73%, which automatically makes it a key element of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Strategic Plan. And currently, CISA’s main message to all carriers is that older software, with its outdated security features and potential lack of ongoing support, is particularly vulnerable to new cybercriminal attack methods.
IBM, one of the leading IT companies, has determined that the average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million. Probably everyone will agree that even for larger trucking companies, the financial consequences of a data breach can be devastating.
Understanding the limitations of the software currently used in the company is key to developing a forward-looking cybersecurity strategy. We all need to take a proactive approach to protecting our data in this ever-changing cyber threat landscape.
As always, education is key. Whether you are a trucking company owner, safety or IT security expert, you can’t miss this year’s NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference, which will be held October 27-29 in Cleveland, Ohio. #NMFTAC is the only cybersecurity event of its kind in the transportation industry that aims to bring together the brightest minds in transportation and cybersecurity. For three days, they will share ideas, collaborate and join forces to protect and defend North America’s critical infrastructure. Speakers will address key topics in enterprise and asset cybersecurity, research, technology innovation, legislation, and more.
We invite all interested parties to visit www.NMFTA.org [invalid URL removed] where you can not only get additional information and book seats, but also watch a 5-minute video from last year’s conference which took place in Houston, Texas.
Wishing you wide and safe roads from ALL ABOUT TRUCKS & TransLab!!! We put Truckers first!!
