For several years now, cyber attacks have been on the rise within the trucking, transportation, and logistics industries. The issue has drawn so much attention that the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) made cybersecurity one of their main areas of focus during their 2023 Digital Solutions Conference , sharing insights from the United States Secret Service (USSS) to help safeguard the sector against future cybersecurity breaches.
Cyber Attacks in Transportation
Derek Veillon • April 22, 2024
8 Cyber Attacks in Transportation & What They Mean for the Industry
If history has taught us anything, it’s that no company is immune to these threats. From small outfits to global businesses, trucking and logistics companies of all scope and size are at risk. The good news: With the right tools and techniques, you can significantly reduce your risk and strengthen your cyber security posture.
Here, we share a closer look into the most recent cyber attacks in transportation — and what these events mean for the industry as a whole.
Which Trucking Companies Have Sustained Cyber Attacks?
The transportation sector may still only account for a small share of cyber attacks compared to industries like finance, healthcare, and government. But when we consider the 400% increase in reported cyberattacks that has occurred within the industry between 2017 and 2022, there’s little room for peace of mind. In fact, it’s now more important than ever to take a more defensive approach against cybercrime.
We can learn from the example of many other trucking companies that have already experienced cyberattacks. Here’s just a handful:
- Freight shipping giant Estes Express Lines experienced a ransomware attack in the fall of 2023 which compromised more than 21,000 individuals’ personal data. Names and social security numbers were among the personally identifiable information (PII) exposed.
- Also in fall of 2023, trucking and fleet management solutions provider ORBCOMM sustained a ransomware attack that led to service outages, preventing trucking companies from using their tool to log hours and manage their fleets. The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a waiver allowing drivers to use paper logs until the affected devices were restored, but the outage affected some of the nation’s largest freight companies.
- In 2020, trucking and freight logistics company Forward Air was hit by a ransomware attack orchestrated by the cybercrime gang Hades. While the company promptly engaged third-party experts, they had to take their systems offline to prevent the attack’s spread, resulting in business disruptions and service delays for many of their customers.
- Less-than-truckload carrier Central Freight Lines (CFL) was a victim of a cyberattack in 2020 which caused outages for their call center and operating systems. They too engaged third-party professionals and restored their systems in less than a week. Yet, the 95-year-old company had already been facing financial woes. The cyberattack undoubtedly contributed to their downfall, and CFL shuttered their operations the very next year.
- Another 2020 event, the malware attack on CMA CGM resulted in a release of the company’s private data. External access to their applications was interrupted to prevent the malware from spreading after the attack initially affected its peripheral services.
- In 2019, hackers disrupted the communication network of A. Duie Pyle, a transportation and logistics provider for the Northeast. The ransomware attack shut down the company’s website and disrupted their ability to interface with shippers.
- In 2018, COSCO Shipping Lines, headquartered in Shanghai, sustained a cyber attack that affected its internet connection in the US.
- In 2017, Maersk experienced a disastrous cyberattack that affect its port, deport, and terminal operations. The event is estimated to have cost the company $300M.
Why Are Cyber Attacks Such a Threat to Trucking & Logistics?
Like most large industries, trucking is an attractive target for hackers. Many companies have high-value assets and sensitive data that would be a boon for cybercriminals to attain. But beyond the expected consequences like financial losses, fines, and irreparable reputation damage, cyberattacks can have uniquely catastrophic implications when carried successfully against trucking and logistics.
Countless goods are transported daily by our trucking companies. From items that are important to national security to the commodities we rely on—
including food and medicine — the vitality of our transportation sector is critical not only for comfort and convenience, but our safety and wellbeing.
What Can Trucking Companies Do to Prevent Cyber Attacks?
While the staggering costs of cybercrime in trucking and logistics paints a grim picture, there’s a silver lining: the events that have come before can serve as a learning experience. Now is the time to implement security measures to prevent ransomware and other cyberattacks.
Because no two trucking companies is exactly the same, each cybersecurity solution may look different. For many, legacy APIs pose a specific threat, but there are also other vulnerabilities to consider. Some companies don’t have cybersecurity or cyber insurance at all, making themselves easy targets for even novice cybercriminals.
What does the right cybersecurity solution for your company entail? Don’t wait to be a victim of cybercrime to find out. Contact our cybersecurity experts here to begin safeguarding your company against threats.
Download our latest cybersecurity in transportation whitepaper that takes a closer look at recent attacks and what we have learned.
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You wouldn't skip summer maintenance on your trucks because you're too busy hauling freight, would you? Of course not. That's insane. A breakdown during peak season could cost you thousands in lost revenue, not to mention the safety risks and customer relationships you'd damage. So why are so many trucking companies treating cybersecurity maintenance like an optional task they can put off until things slow down?
"Hello! Your files have been stolen and encrypted." That's the message that greeted a trucking company CEO when he walked into his office last November. Not exactly the Monday morning pick-me-up anyone wants to see on their computer screen. But here's what really gets me fired up about this story: this wasn't some mom-and-pop operation that barely knew what a password was. This was a legitimate trucking company with a small IT staff. They had security tools. They were getting alerts. They thought they were covered. They were dead wrong. The Shock of "But We Have IT!" When I started digging into what happened, the CEO kept saying the same thing: "We have an IT department that handles our security." He said it with the kind of confusion you'd expect from someone who just discovered their smoke detector had been chirping in an empty room for months. And that's exactly what had been happening. For over a year – not weeks, not months, but over a year – criminals from Russia, China, and Vietnam had been roaming freely through their network gathering information. The security alerts were screaming warnings every single day, but they were going to a folder nobody monitored. Their "Password123" credential was like leaving the front door wide open with a welcome mat. The forensics investigation painted a picture that blew my mind. These weren't opportunistic hackers stumbling around. They were methodical, patient, and had been studying this company's operations longer than some employees had been working there. The Brutal Truth About IT vs. Cybersecurity Here's what that CEO learned the hard way, and what every trucking leader needs to understand: having IT doesn’t necessarily mean your cybersecurity is being managed well. IT and cybersecurity are both technology related, but they’re two separate and distinct specialties. Your IT person can keep your printers working and your email running, but that doesn't make them qualified to detect advanced persistent threats or respond to nation-state actors. It's like expecting your fleet mechanic to also be your safety compliance officer. Sure, they both work on keeping your trucks road-ready, but the expertise required is completely different. What We Always Find (And What Will Shock You) When we conduct cybersecurity risk assessments, the disbelief on executives' faces is always the same. They thought their IT department was handling security, but suddenly they're discovering vulnerabilities that would make a criminal's job embarrassingly easy. Unpatched software vulnerabilities everywhere. Critical business data sitting unencrypted like an open book. Employee passwords stored in browsers where anyone with access to that computer can see them. Customer information and personally identifiable data just hanging out in the digital equivalent of an unlocked filing cabinet. Then there's the access problem. Half the company has admin privileges they don't need, and employees can access system areas that have nothing to do with their jobs. When a criminal gets in, they don't hit a wall – they hit a highway with no speed limits. Network segmentation? What's that? Many companies we assess have everything connected to everything else. It's like having a house where every room connects to every other room, so if someone breaks into your garage, they can waltz right into your bedroom. The Real Cost of Assumptions That trucking company I mentioned earlier? We're still rebuilding their entire infrastructure. The forensics investigation is complete, but the other damages are hard to put a price on. Their reputation took a hit. Operations were disrupted. Customer trust was suffering. And here's the kicker: most of what happened to them could have been prevented with proper cybersecurity measures that had nothing to do with IT support. Your Wake-Up Call Starts Now Every trucking executive reading this needs to ask themselves a hard question: How do you actually know your cybersecurity is being handled properly? If your answer is "because I have IT," you need an independent perspective. You can't self-evaluate your own security posture – it needs to be assessed by an unbiased third party who can give you the real picture without any conflicts of interest. The only way to know if you're truly protected is to have an independent cybersecurity expert take a hard look at your entire operation. Not your IT person. Not the vendor who sold you your current setup. Someone with no skin in the game except telling you the truth. A proper third-party cybersecurity risk assessment will uncover the gaps you don't know exist. It'll show you where criminals could walk right in. It'll reveal whether those security tools you're paying for are actually working or just taking up space on your network. Because here's what I know for certain: cybercriminals are coming for your business. Not maybe. Not eventually. They're already trying. The only question is whether they'll find a fortress or a house of cards. Don't wait for your own "Password123" moment to find out which one you've built. Melanie Melanie Padron is a risk management expert and cybersecurity speaker who specializes in protecting trucking companies from cyber threats. She's the Director of Business Development at IT ArchiTeks, a veteran-owned cybersecurity and IT solutions provider based in Texas.
Remember when cargo theft meant someone physically stealing your truck from a parking lot? Those were simpler times. Today's freight fraudsters have evolved way beyond breaking into your equipment. They're breaking into your business systems, your employee emails, and here's the kicker – they're even hijacking your government registrations to steal your identity. The sophistication should make every trucking leader’s blood run cold.
Learn how an IT managed service provider in Frisco, TX, can help businesses stay compliant with data privacy regulations. Call IT ArchiTeks at (972) 521-1940.
Protect your data with cybersecurity solutions from IT ArchiTeks in Frisco, TX. Start securing your business today with protection.
In the final installment of our April series on dangerous cybersecurity myths, we explain why having an IT department doesn't automatically mean you're secure. "Hello! Your files have been stolen and encrypted. All you need to do is pay." This was the chilling message that greeted a local business owner as they walked into their office one morning. Despite having an in-house IT person who they assumed was handling security, their entire system had been compromised. The forensics investigation revealed a troubling timeline: Initial breach occurred nearly a year earlier Security alerts had been going to a folder that no one monitored Weak passwords were being used across critical systems Backups existed but were unusable because no one had the encryption key This cautionary tale illustrates one of the most dangerous myths in business cybersecurity: "I have an IT person/department that handles my cybersecurity." IT and Cybersecurity: Related But Fundamentally Different Think of the relationship between IT and cybersecurity like general medicine and cardiology. While both disciplines involve healthcare, you wouldn't want your family doctor performing open-heart surgery. IT professionals excel at: Keeping systems operational Installing and configuring software Troubleshooting technical issues Managing network infrastructure Cybersecurity professionals focus on: Identifying and mitigating security threats Implementing defensive controls Monitoring for suspicious activity Responding to security incidents Staying current on evolving attack methods The Anatomy of a Breach: When IT Expertise Isn't Enough Let's revisit our earlier example. The forensic investigation revealed that security alerts had been going to multiple people for months, but no one was checking them because they went to a "security folder" that no one monitored. When the company discovered the breach, their internal IT team started restoring systems, unaware that attackers still had complete access. This actually overwrote critical evidence and allowed the criminals to maintain their foothold. The timeline was devastating: Initial breach occurred 11 months before detection For nearly a year, attackers quietly extracted confidential company and customer data This data was sold on the dark web to a second criminal gang The second criminal group executed the actual ransomware attack Inadequate backup procedures left critical systems unrecoverable Five Warning Signs Your IT Coverage Leaves You Vulnerable No dedicated security monitoring : Security tools generate alerts, but someone must actively monitor and respond to them Outdated systems remain in use : Legacy software and older operating systems create security gaps No formal security policies : Without documented procedures, security becomes inconsistent and reactive Lack of regular security testing : Without penetration testing and security assessments, vulnerabilities remain undiscovered No incident response plan : When (not if) a breach occurs, every minute without a plan increases the damage The Military Approach to Cybersecurity At IT Architeks, a leading Managed IT Service Provider in Frisco Tx, our veteran-owned team approaches cybersecurity with the same disciplined, multi-layered defense strategy we applied in military operations when we served our country in uniform. Our comprehensive small business cybersecurity solution includes eight core protections working together as a unified defense system: SaaS Backups for Email : Ensuring critical communications remain recoverable EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) : Providing real-time threat monitoring and response Email Security with Spam Filtering : Blocking the most common attack vector Remote Monitoring and Patch Management : Ensuring systems remain current and protected Security Password Management : Eliminating the risk of weak credentials Multi-Factor Authentication : Adding an essential second verification layer Employee Training with Phishing Simulation : Transforming your team into a human firewall Help Desk Support : Providing expert assistance when you need it The Cost of Waiting The average small business breach now costs $108,000—but the true cost often extends far beyond financial impact: Lost customer trust Damaged reputation Business interruption Regulatory penalties Legal liability When you compare this to the cost of proper cybersecurity protection, the investment becomes obvious. Making the Transition to True Security If you rely solely on IT support for security, you're not alone—it's one of the most common gaps we find. But recognizing this vulnerability is the first step toward addressing it. As we conclude our series on dangerous security myths, remember: You're not too small to be targeted Your cloud data isn't automatically protected IT support isn't the same as cybersecurity expertise Ready to see exactly where your security stands? Contact IT Architeks, top Cybersecurity Provider in Frisco Tx, today for a complimentary cyber strategy session—our veteran-led team will help you identify vulnerabilities before criminals do.
In February of last year the Change Healthcare breach sent shockwaves through the healthcare industry. The company, a cloud-based software provider, suffered a devastating ransomware attack that: Exposed personal and health information of an estimated 190 million individuals Disrupted claims processing nationwide Threatened the very survival of countless small practices and healthcare providers due to delayed reimbursements Resulted in a reported $22 million ransom payment This wasn't just a big company problem - small businesses across the country, especially in healthcare, felt the devastating ripple effects. The cyberattack significantly impacted smaller practices, leading to financial strain, difficulties in submitting insurance claims, and most sadly practice closures. Beyond the Cloud Security Illusion As a small business, think about all the cloud-based vendors you use and how you would operate your business, or if you could operate your business, if one of them were attacked. The lesson here is that the cloud isn't a magical force field protecting your data. It's simply someone else's computer, located elsewhere. While reputable cloud providers implement robust security measures, remember this uncomfortable truth: The fine print in most vendor contracts holds them harmless for damages if they are hacked.
It was just another Friday for Sarah, owner of a small local medical office. After attending yesterday's chamber of commerce meeting, she opened what appeared to be a routine email from a trusted colleague containing a DocuSign contract needing her signature. Something felt off—they had just spoken in person without mentioning any paperwork—so Sarah thought she was being cyber-savvy by emailing back to confirm. When her “colleague” confirmed it was legitimate, she proceeded to open and sign the document. What Sarah didn't know: she wasn't communicating with her colleague at all, but with a criminal who had infiltrated his email account and set up auto-reply rules. By opening that document, Sarah unknowingly released malware that began spamming every contact in her address book, damaging professional relationships and tarnishing the reputation she had spent years building. We're Too Small to Be on a Criminal's Radar This dangerous misconception puts countless small businesses at risk every day. The truth? You're not too small to be hacked—you're just too small to make news when it happens. Today's cybercriminals aren't just lone actors in hoodies targeting specific businesses one at a time. They're sophisticated operations using AI-powered tools to cast wide nets across thousands of potential victims simultaneously. They don't care about your company's size or your town's population—they care about finding any unlocked door. Why Small Businesses Are Perfect Targets Small and mid-sized businesses face a perfect storm of vulnerability factors: Limited Security Resources: Unlike large corporations with dedicated security teams, small businesses typically lack specialized cybersecurity expertise. Valuable Data: Even the smallest practice holds a treasure trove of protected health information worth significant money on dark web marketplaces. Gateway to Larger Networks: Small businesses often connect to larger partner organizations, making them attractive entry points to bigger targets. Less Security Awareness: Staff at smaller organizations typically receive less security training, making them more susceptible to social engineering. False Sense of Security: The very belief that "we're too small to target" creates dangerous blind spots. The Numbers Don't Lie 61% of small businesses experienced a cyberattack in the past year, according to Verizon's 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report[¹] The average cost of a data breach for small businesses is $108,000, as reported by IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023[²] 60% of small businesses close within six months of a significant cyber incident, according to the National Cybersecurity Alliance[³] The New Cybercrime Reality Modern cybercriminals operate sophisticated business models. Rather than targeting single organizations, they employ automated attacks that simultaneously probe thousands of potential victims. When successful, these criminals don't just steal money—they harvest identities to sell on the dark web, install ransomware that locks up critical systems, or use your business as a stepping stone to attack your business partners. Being "Politely Paranoid": Your First Line of Defense As Sarah's story demonstrates, a healthy dose of skepticism could save your business from disaster. At IT Architeks, a veteran-owned Cybersecurity Provider in Frisco, TX, we advise clients to be "politely paranoid"—trust but verify: Never rely solely on email for verification. Call the sender directly using the phone number you have on file (not one provided in the suspicious communication). Scrutinize the urgency. Criminals create time pressure to force mistakes. Implement multi-factor authentication. This simple step stops 99.9% of automated attacks. Invest in employee security awareness training. Your team is both your greatest vulnerability and your strongest defense. Taking the Next Step The first step toward protecting your business is acknowledging that no organization is too small for cybercriminals to target. Next month, we'll address another dangerous myth: "My data is safe in the cloud." Until then, remember that being small doesn't make you invisible—it makes you vulnerable in different ways. Want to learn more about how our veteran-led team delivers military-grade Cyber Security Prevention in Frisco, TX? Call IT ArchiTeks today for a complimentary cyber strategy session.
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Over the past few weeks, I've shared stories about ransomware attacks, preventable security disasters, and the crucial human element in cybersecurity. Today, I want to talk about something that might sound technical at first but has become one of the biggest vulnerabilities in the trucking industry: API security. What's an API and Why Should You Care? You're probably thinking, "API sounds like tech jargon – why does this matter to my trucking business?" Let me explain with a simple example. Think of an API (Application Programming Interface) like the drive-thru window at a restaurant. You pull up, place your order, and receive your food without ever going inside the kitchen. The drive-thru window is the interface between you and the restaurant's operations. In your trucking business, APIs work similarly. They're the connections that allow different software systems to talk to each other: Your fleet management system communicating with your electronic logging devices (ELDs) Your dispatch software connecting to customer portals Your maintenance tracking system sharing data with parts inventory Your telematics systems sending real-time vehicle data to your operations center According to the 2024 NMFTA Trucking Cybersecurity Trends Report, API security has become a critical concern for the industry. Almost all trucking companies now use APIs for essential operations – yet many don't realize these connection points can become major security vulnerabilities. Real-World Dangers for Trucking Companies Let me translate what API security risks mean in real-world terms for your business: 1. Zombie APIs These are old, forgotten connection points that still exist in your systems. Imagine an employee who left your company two years ago, but their access badge still works on your building's door. Zombie APIs are similar – outdated connections that hackers can exploit because nobody remembered to "change the locks." 2. Authentication Bypass This happens when an API doesn't properly verify who's accessing it. It's like having a security guard who waves everyone through without checking IDs. When authentication is weak, attackers can access sensitive systems without proper credentials. 3. Data Leakage Some APIs accidentally expose more information than necessary. Imagine if your customer portal not only showed a specific customer their own shipment details, but accidentally revealed information about other customers too. This type of leakage can expose sensitive business data or even personally identifiable information. The Trucking Industry's Unique API Challenges The trucking industry faces unique challenges when it comes to API security: Mobile-Side Integration: Your trucks are essentially mobile offices with multiple connected devices and systems. Each connection point between in-cab technology, telematics, ELDs, and your central systems creates potential vulnerabilities. Supply Chain Integration: Modern trucking operations are deeply integrated with customer systems, broker platforms, and partner logistics providers. These necessary connections expand your digital footprint and create more potential entry points. Legacy Systems: Many trucking companies operate with a mix of newer software alongside legacy systems. These hybrid environments often require additional connection points, creating more complex API security challenges. Signs Your API Security Might Be at Risk How do you know if your trucking company's API security needs attention? Watch for these warning signs:= 1. Unexplained System Behavior Are your systems occasionally acting strangely – showing incorrect data, experiencing unusual slowdowns, or displaying unexpected errors? These could be signs that someone is accessing your systems through insecure APIs. 2. Integration Chaos Has your company added multiple software systems over the years without a coordinated plan? If you're using different vendors for fleet management, dispatch, ELDs, maintenance tracking, and accounting – all with various integration points – you likely have API security gaps. 3. No API Inventory or Testing If you don't have a complete inventory of all the connection points into your systems or haven't tested their security, you almost certainly have vulnerabilities. Many companies don't even know all the APIs they have in place. Protecting Your Fleet from API Threats The good news is that you can significantly improve your API security with some straightforward steps: 1. Create an API Inventory You can't secure what you don't know exists. Work with your IT team or provider to identify all connection points in your systems – especially older ones that might have been forgotten. 2. Implement Strong Authentication Ensure every API requires proper verification before allowing access. Multi-factor authentication should be required for all sensitive systems. 3. Regular Security Testing APIs should be tested regularly to identify potential vulnerabilities before attackers find them. This includes checking for proper authentication, authorization, and data handling. 4. Monitor API Traffic Implement monitoring solutions to track who's accessing your APIs, when, and for what purpose. Unusual patterns could indicate an attack attempt. 5. Update or Retire Legacy Connections Replace outdated APIs with modern, secure alternatives. If old connection points are no longer needed, shut them down completely. A Real Industry Wake-Up Call During the NMFTA's Digital Solutions Conference last fall, security experts demonstrated how a simple antenna could be used to compromise a truck's braking system by sending malicious messages through diagnostic interfaces. This sobering demonstration highlights why securing every connection point – from your office systems to your trucks themselves – is essential for modern fleet safety. Moving Forward Securely As your trucking operations continue to become more digital and interconnected, API security will only grow in importance. The companies that address these vulnerabilities now will have a significant advantage in protecting their operations, data, and reputation. Remember – you don't have to tackle this alone. At IT ArchiTeks, we've helped many trucking companies identify and secure their API vulnerabilities before they could be exploited. Ready to ensure your digital connection points are as secure as your physical operations? Schedule a cyber strategy session and let's talk about how we can help protect all aspects of your fleet.
