Protect your fleet from cyber threats

Paul Drake VP UKI Barracuda

The transport industry has undergone a rapid digital revolution in recent years. Operational and centralised fleet management software and internet connected devices, such as sensors in trucks, enable operators to run their fleets more efficiently. This can provide a crucial competitive advantage when fuel and other operating costs are climbing.

However, these digital advancements also create a larger attack surface for cyberthreats, providing new and multiple points of vulnerability that, if left unsecured, can expose operators to risk.

Fleets play a crucial role in logistics supply chains. Disruptive attacks can disable operations by targeting management software or vehicle control systems and paralyse fleets. This can wreak havoc across supply chains. It can also put vehicles and their drivers at risk.

Such incidents often begin with an email-based attack. So-called phishing emails try to lure the recipient into sharing their login details. Sometimes all the attackers need to do is try out a combination of commonly used passwords, a form of attack known as ‘brute-forcing’.

In one high-profile example, logistics company Expeditors suffered a serious ransomware attack that hit shipments and custom control management for at least three weeks. The company reported that the attack cost more than $60m in lost business, investigation and remediation.

Bugs in the software that manages connected devices or in the devices themselves are another top cyber-target. As fleets and their supporting infrastructure become increasingly connected, all it can take is one weak link for the attackers to gain access to the whole network.

A multi-layered approach to protection is vital, involving employees, processes such as security access and authentication policies, and strong security technologies.

Email security should be a priority – both in terms of an advanced security software solution that incudes AI-based detection to identify sophisticated threats, and in terms of employee education.

A robust approach to authentication and access is critical. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be the minimum; adopting ‘Zero Trust’ measures will ensure attackers cannot move through the network even if they do get in.

All digital and software assets should be regularly updated with the latest security patches, and it’s also important to monitor the activity across your network, servers and endpoints for any abnormal activity, and have an incident response plan in place should the worst happen. If all this sounds daunting, it needn’t be – security vendors and managed service providers are well placed and keen to help.

Effective cybersecurity is not just about preventing attacks, but also being fully prepared when they do happen. Investing adequately in cyber-readiness can substantially minimise any impact should an incident strike, ensuring operations continue with as little disruption as possible.

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