If you’ve ever been to the airport or another major transit hub, you know that security is a major concern for this industry – but if you run a transportation business, then security isn’t just a concern; it may be an ongoing crisis. That’s because, in recent years, the transportation industry has been subject to a growing number of phishing attacks, adopted new industrial internet of things (IIoT) technology, and has generally found itself subject to troublesome cybersecurity issues.
As we look ahead to 2022, transportation businesses, including those in logistics and distribution, need to assess their security protocols, including reviewing insurance coverage to ascertain whether it covers cyberattacks, and begin instituting new practices to protect your data and physical assets. You have too much at stake to leave your operation open to attacks.
Safeguarding Your Data Systems
One of the most important steps that your transportation company needs to undertake in order to protect its data systems is to perform an information security risk assessment. You can’t identify and institute the appropriate digital safeguards without understanding where your weak spots are.
To do this, you’ll need to identify your organization’s digital assets, evaluate them for vulnerabilities, like weak passwords and lack of encryption, as well as identify outside threats. Once you understand these elements, you’ll be in a better position to determine what subsequent steps to take.
Establish Protocols And Training For Staff
As we’ve known for some time now, many internal business security threats stem from insufficiently trained and vigilant staff. One critical leadership function, then, is to establish security protocols, including requiring strong password standards along with regular password changes, creating and enforcing BYOD policies for those employees connected to the internal network, and generally limiting network access.
In addition to establishing these protocols, don’t forget to provide training for staff on how to identify phishing attacks and similar threats to your data safety. Cybercrime attacks are on the rise, and with more support staff working remotely and worn down by the stress of a global pandemic, they’re more likely to accidentally open the door to ransomware and other threats.
And, at the same time that you’re preparing staff to sidestep these threats, be sure to invest in appropriate digital security on the back end, as you can’t expect staff to keep out intruders if you aren’t buying locks, so to speak.
Yard Security Concerns
In segments of transportation like distribution, yard and warehouse sites also represent sites of serious risk, and many companies haven’t done much to advance their security practices in recent years. Upgrade your business’s strategy by ditching hard to manage CCTV systems in favor of GSM and GPRS systems or security platforms paired with constantly monitored Alarm Receiving Centers. Alternatively, you might consider dual optic detector systems, which can identify real onsite threats without worrying about false triggers like animals on your property.
The transportation industry literally keeps the world moving, whether your company transports people or products, and that means that your security is vital to all aspects of our daily lives. In fact, we all understand better than ever what happens when supply chains and transportation are disrupted.
Your security has widespread consequences, so invest in strong protections that will keep us all moving forward.
