The festive period is one of the busiest in the calendar for the logistics industry, so it can be easy to prioritise operations over everything else.
However, as this peak period for the sector approaches, it is crucial that logistics companies are protected against any possible cyber threats that could potentially bring their business to a standstill.
Being prepared is the cornerstone of robust cybersecurity. According to recent data* from the Cyber Rescue Alliance, logistics firms that have experienced attacks in 2023 showed signs of vulnerability for months compared with competitors.
Here are five ways that firms can protect themselves from cyberattacks ahead of the festive rush and keep their business secure well into the new year and beyond.
1. Vendor Risk Management
The regular evaluation of third-party cybersecurity practices is an absolute must for logistics firms, particularly as so much of their operations are dependent on third parties. If it’s been a while since third party security measures were checked, it could be an ideal time to review them and make sure they’re still aligning with company policies, procedures and best practices to protect against cyber threats.
2. Incident Response Planning
Planning for the worst case scenario is necessary for all businesses. The truth is, cyberattacks are now an inevitable part of business life and are a daily occurrence. By having a solid plan in place in the event of an attack, businesses can ensure they can react quickly and reduce their recovery time and operational downtime.
3. Regular Updates and Patch Management
It might seem obvious, but as busy periods creep up, keeping on top of cybersecurity basics can fall further down the priority list. By taking a little time to keep all software and operating systems up to date and undertake regular patch management, companies can prevent vulnerability and security flaws that could prove costly down the line.
4. Security Monitoring
For successful logistics firms, having a real-time overview of operations is a fundamental part of the business, so they already understand the importance of it. Using real-time information to continuously monitor networks and systems for possible breaches will only strengthen a company’s cybersecurity measures, making them less likely to fall victim to attacks and more able to react quickly.
5. Data Protection
As with all data, the data that logistics companies use and store is highly valuable to cyber attackers, so its protection is one of the most important aspects of cybersecurity. Businesses in the logistics sector can protect themselves from unauthorised access and data breaches by ensuring their data is encrypted at every point of their operation, both at rest and in transit.
For more information on how logistics companies can review and strengthen their cybersecurity measures, go to https://cybercompare.com/.
*Breaches Anticipated in 2023 by Cyber Rescue Alliance and Security Scorecard – https://www.cyberrescue.co.uk/
By Nehal Thakore, UK & Ireland Country Head at Bosch CyberCompare
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