Understanding Cybersecurity in Trucking and Logistics: Insights from Industry Experts
Cybersecurity is no longer an abstract concern—it is an urgent, real-world threat affecting industries across the globe, including trucking and logistics companies. Every 39 seconds, a cyberattack occurs, disrupting lives, businesses, and governments. To shed light on this critical issue, the Driving Forward podcast, hosted by Nate Johnson, brought together a panel of logistics technology and cybersecurity specialists to explore the challenges and solutions shaping the industry’s future.
The discussion featured:
Wade Anderson, CTO/CIO at Bay & Bay Transportation, with over three decades of experience in technology and security.
Ben Barnes, CIO of McLeod Software and former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), a seasoned leader in IT and cybersecurity.
Joel Carlson, a cybersecurity professional with ProCircular, specializing in helping businesses navigate the complexities of digital security.
Together, they provided critical insights into the scale of cyber threats, the vulnerabilities specific to trucking and logistics, and actionable strategies for mitigating risks.
The Staggering Scale of Cybercrime
Cybercrime is projected to cause $10.5 trillion in global damages annually by 2025, surpassing the GDPs of most countries, including economic giants like Germany and Japan. This highlights the immense economic and operational risks posed by cyberattacks.
The trucking and logistics industry, integral to global supply chains, faces increasing threats as attackers target weak points in freight operations. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities to disrupt operations, steal data, and commit freight fraud. As Nate Johnson emphasized during the podcast, no company is too small to be targeted—this is a universal challenge that demands our attention.
Unique Vulnerabilities in Trucking and Logistics
The trucking and logistics sector presents distinct challenges that make it an attractive target for cybercriminals:
Freight Fraud: Criminals impersonate carriers or brokers to steal loads, often using compromised credentials, phishing emails, or manipulated tracking apps to conceal their actions.
Low Barriers to Entry: The ease of starting a brokerage or carrier company, combined with inconsistent verification processes, creates opportunities for fraud.
Emerging Threats from Technology: AI-generated deepfakes, realistic phishing emails, and stolen credentials purchased on the dark web make it harder to identify legitimate operators from fraudulent ones.
Wade Anderson shared a real-life example illustrating the impact of these vulnerabilities: When you're in the middle of a ransomware attack, you’re forced to make a difficult decision: pay the ransom or risk losing your business. Nobody wants to pay or support criminal activity, but sometimes it’s the only option to keep operations running. For them, it was a matter of survival—without paying, their brokerage would have gone under, and recovery would have taken weeks if not months.
Effective Defense Strategies: A Layered Approach
No single solution can address the complex challenges posed by cyber threats. Instead, as the panelists laid out, companies must adopt a multi-layered defense strategy. Wade Anderson presented his “three-legged stool” approach:
Technical Measures: Tools like endpoint detection, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are essential for minimizing the threat landscape and deterring attackers.
Human Training: Since most breaches result from human error, regular cybersecurity training is critical. Employees must learn to recognize phishing attempts and understand how to respond to potential threats.
Incident Response Plans: Having a well-rehearsed plan in place is key to minimizing the impact of breaches. The time to figure out your response plan isn’t during an attack. You need to have it ready and practiced before it happens.
Ben Barnes added: Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a cultural one. You need buy-in from leadership to entry-level employees to build an effective defense. Every layer, from MFA to human training, matters when it comes to reducing your attack surface.
The Rise of Cybercrime as a Service
Cybercrime has evolved into a professionalized, scalable industry. Operations now resemble legitimate businesses, complete with software developers, managers, and even customer support teams guiding victims on ransom payments. This "cybercrime as a service" model allows even non-technical individuals to launch attacks, increasing their frequency and sophistication.
As Wade noted, these organizations operate with terrifying efficiency, and their ability to scale attacks makes them a threat to businesses of all sizes.
The Critical Role of Human Oversight and Collaboration
Despite advancements in cybersecurity tools, human intervention remains crucial. Manual verification processes—such as follow-up calls to confirm transactions—are often the last line of defense against fraud.
Joel Carlson re-emphasized the importance of preparation and teamwork: It’s terrifying for a lot of people. You have CFOs, CEOs, and COOs looking at the impact of a breach and wondering, ‘Are we going to be able to deliver to our clients? Can we survive this?’ The worst time to create a response plan is during an attack—you need to have a well-rehearsed strategy in place long before a disaster occurs.
The panel also highlighted the importance of industry collaboration to share knowledge and strengthen defenses. “Even though we’re competitors, we must work together to stay ahead of the bad guys,” said Anderson. Johnson echoed this sentiment, highlighting the trucking industry’s unique ability to unite in the face of shared challenges.
Driving Toward a More Secure Future
The Driving Forward podcast panelists underscored the urgency of addressing cybersecurity threats in trucking and logistics. As cybercriminals continue to adapt and evolve, the industry must respond with robust technical defenses, comprehensive training programs, and a culture of collaboration.
Cybersecurity is not an optional investment—it is an operational necessity. By adopting proactive, layered approaches and leveraging the collective expertise of industry leaders, the trucking and logistics sector can mitigate risks and build a more resilient future. As Johnson aptly stated, "Ignorance isn’t bliss—it’s a vulnerability."
If you are a trucking or logistics company needing help ensuring you are prepared to face these challenges, give GLCS a call. Our team of logistics and technology experts is ready to help you build a secure and resilient operation. Let’s work together to drive our industry toward a safer tomorrow.
Looking for deeper insights on freight fraud? Don’t miss our Driving Forward podcast on Thursday, January 16th at 1:00 PM CT, featuring Joe Ohr and Ben Wilkens from the NMFTA and Dale Prax from FreightValidate.