10 ways to defend your fleet against cyberattacks

In this article, you'll learn about:

• The importance of cybersecurity for the trucking industry
• Some steps to fortify your fleet against cyberattacks

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise. Most of us have likely received suspicious text messages or emails on our smart devices that could cause considerable damage to our lives. Yet that’s insignificant compared to the rewards cybercriminals can realize by going after businesses instead of individuals.

Check Point, a cybersecurity company, noted in its Q3 2024 report that worldwide, there was a record spike in attacks, with an “average of 1,876 attacks per organization, marking a 75% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a 15% rise from the previous quarter.” In the U.S., the rise in attacks was 56% YOY, averaging 1,300 weekly attacks.

Though the transportation industry wasn’t at the top of the list, the report still showed a 68% increase, with 1,235 attacks weekly. This makes sense, as fleets have so many facets that could come under attack, from the back office accounts payable and accounts receivable functions to cargo theft by fraud, all the way to the road where highly advanced truck technology can be hacked into, potentially causing breakdowns or worse.

Whether the attacks are data breaches, ransomware/malware, remote hijacking, or threats coming from inside your own “house,” fleets have to be vigilant with combatting cybercriminals and fraudsters. The advances in AI have emboldened criminals and made defense more difficult. The task may seem daunting, but there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage.

10 practices to bolster cybersecurity

Though fleets may lag behind other industries in cybersecurity, it’s important to remember that even the most tech-savvy companies have had their data compromised. Every business needs an IT department, an employee, or a cybersecurity firm well-versed in cybersecurity risks. There are additional steps you can take to mitigate the damage.

1. Ongoing employee training: As cybercriminals get smarter and AI becomes more sophisticated to detect, you need to keep educating your staff about cybersecurity risks and let them know how important it is to report suspicious activities immediately. Teach them how to recognize phishing attempts and inform them of new ways cybercriminals are tricking employees so they will be on the lookout for such attempts.
2. Regular software updates: This should be obvious, but some teams may get complacent and not install the latest updates to their software and systems. All operating systems, applications, and IoT devices must have the latest updates to patch any vulnerabilities.
3. Network security: To secure your network and data transmissions, implement firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and encryption protocols.
4. Control access: You may have too many employees with access to critical systems and data. Limit the access only to those whose roles necessitate access. Then implement multi-factor authentication to enhance identity verification.
5. Data encryption: Encrypt sensitive data whether for internal usage or during transmission to prevent unauthorized access.
6. Backup and recovery: This should be done as a general practice to guard against not just cyberattacks but power outages or other potential disasters and disruptions. By backing up critical data and systems, you ensure quick recovery when the danger has passed.
7. Continuous monitoring: You need to be constantly vigilant to ensure that you can detect and respond to potential threats in real time. Monitor systems and networks continuously.
8. Incident response plan: You likely have a disaster mitigation plan to respond to natural disasters or some other disruption. You should devote the same amount of time to developing a comprehensive response to a cyber breach. Regularly test and update this plan since cybercriminals keep coming up with new ways to threaten your business.
9. Vendor assessment: Some of the worst data breaches companies experience didn’t originate in their own company but rather from a trusted vendor, and it’s getting worse. A Verizon report noted that “62% of all data breaches happen via third-party vendors.”
10. Physical security: Cybersecurity needs to be backed up with actual physical security when it comes to access to vehicles, data centers, and other critical infrastructure.

The best defense is a good offense

Cyberattacks on fleets are not a hypothetical threat—they are an inevitable reality. With advanced AI-driven attacks, data breaches, and increasing vulnerabilities in connected vehicle technology, fleet operators must be proactive in strengthening their cybersecurity posture. Implementing these 10 cybersecurity best practices can help mitigate risks, protect critical data, and ensure the long-term security of your fleet operations. Strengthen your defenses today and safeguard your fleet from the cyber threats of tomorrow.

This article was originally posted on FleetOwner.com.