Integrating a cybersecurity culture into logistics

When digital data is today’s gold mine, it becomes obvious that hackers would flock around to sneak in through data vulnerabilities. However, a robust cybersecurity culture can help protect and keep the data secure.

As data security is increasingly under threat from all over the world, having a state of cybersecurity in logistics becomes imperative. Bestriding the wave of new and constantly improving logistics technology calls for effectively navigating through the waters of cybersecurity. With ISO27001 certification, global organizations like Allcargo Group continue thorough monitoring and detection to counter and mitigate any information security risks at regular intervals.

As per 2021 reports, on average, the number of cyber-attacks and data breaches has increased by 15.1% compared to the previous year. The causes of these attacks range from misconfigurations, human error, and poor maintenance to unknown assets. The Check Point Research reported having found 50% more attack attempts per week on corporate networks globally, in the year 2021 compared to 2020.

In light of this scenario, protecting proprietary and customer information has become critical for shippers and logistics services providers. For global logistics leaders like Allcargo Group, a strong cybersecurity posture is critical, considering its digital-first approach and increased requirements of information exchange and data flow between different, tools, systems, departments, and locations.

There are a number of ways in which logistics players can ensure data and IT security.

Tap the system and software

Trusting partners with software blindly can cost, organizations their valuable data. The working systems should be tapped and monitored at regular intervals, to avoid any breaches. 

Systems with SSL certifications are password-protected and can use VPN. Also setting up a data firewall can protect the data systems from outside threats and security breaches.

Playing it safe with employees

Cybersecurity in logistics starts with the employees.  Continued monitoring of the intranet, system and data can identify vulnerabilities. Detection of vulnerabilities and their types allows for providing better protection and security. 

A secondary database and an enterprise data warehouse should always be made available to have the core data covered and secured while making it accessible to the members. 

Virtual Firewall

With leveraging more public cloud services for daily processes, the work environment gets increasingly virtualized. This builds in the requirement for a virtual firewall, which can easily be maintained by cloud users. 

Built with advanced threat intelligence to reduce response times against potential cyber-attacks, it ceases unauthorized users from accessing data in a protected virtual repository and prevents transferring of sensitive documents. 

Building web security

Another layer of cyber security, for websites, mitigates the risks of data breaches and inconsistencies in public cloud platforms. Building proper web security eliminates cyber threats before they reach network endpoints. 

It gauges the intention of web requests, URLs, and files to route or blocks the threats directly on any device. A layer of web security allows deeper insights into online activities on and off LAN.

Building a robust cybersecurity posture

Having transitioned into the ‘Low Risk’ category of the Cyber Exposure Score (CES), a number of measures and certifications have enabled Allcargo Group to ensure the security of proprietary and customer data, making the Group a preferred logistics partner for businesses that demand, expect and ascertain the highest levels of IT and data protection.

• IT Disaster Recovery Solution is built on a hybrid strategy of on-premise and third-party cloud infrastructure that supports quick response and recovery for applications and services, assuring that a customer’s data is also safe. 
• IT Service Management (ITSM) which is built on self-service, auto-healing, and an escalation mechanism comes in line with ITIL v3 standards. Achieving such standards means adhering to the cyber security guidelines by protecting vulnerable data and countering security threats.  
• Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS) approach is based on the four pillars integrated with emergency response, crisis management, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery management. 

Conclusion

Endeavouring to enable gold standards in IT security, and collaborating with the highly reputed BitSight Security rating platform that is trusted by over 40 government agencies all over the world, are just a few, of the many factors that add to the trust and confidence of customers who partner with Allcargo Group.

As more logistics and transportation companies begin to introduce digital innovation in their business model, a proactive determination is needed to counter the vulnerabilities that impact a robust cyber security culture.