Transport and logistics underpin the global economy.
Every product on a shelf, every parcel on a doorstep, every component feeding a manufacturing line relies on a complex network of carriers, ports, warehouses, and data systems working in sync. But as the industry becomes more digital, automated, and interconnected, that network is becoming a prime target for cyber attacks.
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For chief information security officers (CISOs), keeping goods moving now requires keeping attackers out.
The stakes could not be higher. A single ransomware attack on a logistics provider can stall supply chains across entire regions. Ports run on integrated digital systems that control cranes, container movements, customs workflows, and ship berthing. Airlines and rail networks depend on scheduling systems, ticketing platforms, and IoT-enabled equipment – just look at the recent cyber attack that took down multiple airports in Europe.
Disruption anywhere can ripple everywhere – attackers know this. That leverage makes transport and logistics a magnet for ransomware groups and nation-state actors alike.
The industry’s attack surface is vast and diverse. Modern fleets incorporate connected telematics, navigation systems, and onboard sensors. Warehouses rely on automated robots, barcode scanners, CCTV, and cloud-based inventory platforms. Ports and cargo terminals operate industrial control systems originally designed for safety, not cyber security.
Meanwhile, customer-facing portals, mobile apps, and partner APIs expose additional layers of risk.
For CISOs, visibility is the first prerequisite. Few industries have such a sprawling footprint of devices, endpoints, and systems, many of which are mobile or intermittently connected. A real-time asset inventory – across ships, trucks, terminals, warehouses, and cloud platforms – is essential. Without it, security teams cannot detect intrusions, enforce controls, or contain incidents.
Operational technology adds further complexity. Many transport systems run on legacy equipment that cannot easily be patched or replaced. A crane controller or baggage handling system may have a 20-year lifespan, far exceeding modern IT cycles. CISOs must take a layered approach: isolating OT networks, enforcing strict access controls, and deploying continuous anomaly detection tailored to industrial protocols.
Complexity equals vulnerability
And then there’s ransomware. Logistics providers are uniquely susceptible because downtime translates immediately to operational paralysis. Incident response plans must account for environments where stopping operations is not an option. That means pre-staging clean configurations, rehearsing recovery scenarios, and ensuring robust communication across dispatch centres, terminals, and executive leadership.
The supply chain itself is both the business model and a major vulnerability. Transport and logistics rely on thousands of partners – freight forwarders, customs brokers, third-party maintenance crews, software vendors, and carriers. Attackers often infiltrate through the weakest link, compromising small partners to reach larger networks. CISOs must enforce rigorous vendor controls, ensure API security, and adopt zero-trust principles across inter-company integrations.
Identity and access management is a particularly tough challenge. Drivers, contractors, longshore workers, forklift operators, and seasonal staff all need varying degrees of access. If deprovisioning is slow or manual, dormant accounts accumulate – and attackers exploit them. Automated provisioning, adaptive authentication, and privilege minimisation help contain this risk.
Resilience must be built into every layer of the operation, and the question isn’t whether an incident will occur, but how quickly the organisation can recover with minimal disruption. Redundant systems, offline backups, crisis communication plans, and cross-functional response teams are essential. Exercises should simulate real-world scenarios – from port shutdowns to compromised fleet systems – to validate readiness.
CISOs in the sector are also increasingly playing a strategic role. As boardrooms recognise that cyber risk is business risk, security leaders are increasingly central to decisions about automation, fleet modernisation, cloud migration, and partner selection. Cyber security must be embedded not just in systems, but in the overall strategy of an organisation.
Ultimately, the industry’s mission is clear: goods must move.
For CISOs in transport and logistics, the challenge is immense, but so is the impact. When physical and digital movement are inseparable, securing the supply chain is securing the global economy itself.
