Logistics should be wary of cyber attacks. The supply chain is vulnerable to this form of crime, according to TLN. Even the after the recent global cyberattack, companies would still severely underestimate the impact of possible incidents.
The industry association stresses that the consequences for the logistics process can be very far-reaching. "It is crucial to protect goods flows and prevent cyber breaches." TLN conducted a survey among its members last year to find out to what extent logistics companies are concerned with cybersecurity. It showed that only half of the companies had designated a person responsible for cybersecurity. "For an industry that works with so much confidential data, this is worrying," the survey reads. The survey also reveals that information security at companies is often limited. The risks companies face as a result range from ransomeware and cargo theft via malware to a data breach.
Second cyber attack
In May, an attack with hostage software WannaCry crippled businesses worldwide. The Netherlands was largely spared in this attack. Last Tuesday, parcel delivery company TNT and the Rotterdam container terminal ATM, among others, were hit by a new cyber attack. "In the event of a prolonged outage, this virus could have a major economic impact," the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned. It is still unclear how many Dutch companies are affected by the cyber attack.
Virus enters through emails
The exact operation and origin of the attack has also not yet been determined. Cyber experts suspect that the virus enters through infected e-mails and then spreads through the internal network.
TLN therefore advises logistics companies not to open emails or links from strangers and also provides the following tips:
- Update operating systems and copy important files;
- Invest in adequate ICT and information security;
- Prepare to mitigate damage if an incident does occur. Ensure the continuity of your business.
More tips can be found in the report Cybersecurity for logistics service providers.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
