Cyber security in supply chain has never been more critical. Just ask the Fortune 500 companies that lost $5.4 billion in the 2024 Crowdstrike incident — all due to a single logic error in a routine update.
And with supply chain cyber attacks surging 431% since 2021, their concerns are justified. Every digital thread binding your operation together is both your greatest strength and your most pressing vulnerability.
Supply Chain Cyber Attacks: No Longer If But When
Think your operation is safe? Think again. In 2025, nearly half of your industry peers (45%) will experience a software supply chain attack. We’re not talking about amateur hackers anymore — these sophisticated operators have done their homework. They see what you see: the gold mine of data flowing through your AI-powered logistics, cloud-based fleet management, and IoT tracking systems. And they’re patient enough to wait for the perfect moment to strike.
Emerging Cyber Threats Targeting Transportation
Your supply chain is essentially a house with multiple entry points — except today’s cyber criminals aren’t rattling doorknobs. They are wielding sophisticated digital lockpicks.
Ransomware can paralyze your entire logistics operation in minutes — encrypting vital systems and demanding millions to restore them. Meanwhile, phishing attacks surged an alarming 175% between July 2023 and July 2024, with threat actors masquerading as trusted partners in existing email threads to deliver malicious payloads. Worse? They’re evolving to better exploit the interconnected nature of modern supply chains, with malware strains like Lumma Stealer and DanaBot specifically targeting transportation management systems.
- JAS Worldwide faced a ransomware attack in August 2024 that crashed its customer portal, shuttering its billing and shipment tracking.
- Japan’s Port of Nagoya (the country’s largest by cargo throughput) experienced a 48-hour shutdown in July 2023 thanks to a LockBit 3.0 ransomware attack. Toyota’s global supply chain? Frozen.
- ORBCOMM’s ransomware crisis in September 2023 forced carriers back to paper logs.
And that only provides a snippet.
Key Vulnerabilities in Logistics and Freight
Your logistics network spans from cutting-edge TMS platforms to decades-old EDI systems. Every day your platform processes thousands of signals across trucks, warehouses, and trading partners. But here’s a reality check: Cyber criminals target the gaps where your shiny new tech meets legacy systems, particularly through smaller partners’ vulnerable networks.
The consequences are brutal: stranded drivers, idle freight, and a cascade of angry customer calls. One breach is all it takes to bring your 24/7 operation to a dead stop.
When technical debt meets operational urgency, something has to give. But in today’s threat environment, that something can’t be security. The question isn’t if your network will be tested but when.
The Ripple Effect on Global Supply Chains
One breach. Four ports. Thirty thousand stranded containers. DP World Australia’s November 2023 cyber attack gridlocked Asia-Pacific trade networks, foreshadowing a new era of supply chain vulnerability.
Your digitally intertwined operations face threats beyond data breaches. Attackers target traffic control systems, logistics platforms, and vehicle tracking networks with mounting sophistication. Forward Air Corp. learned this firsthand — its 2023 ransomware attack triggered operational chaos, costly recovery efforts, and fractured customer trust. Bison Transport’s ELD vendor breach morphed into a regulatory disaster while teams scrambled for backup systems.
Empty store shelves and manufacturing slowdowns represent real threats to your operation. Every supply chain executive must confront a stark reality: Cyber security directly impacts your bottom line, customer relationships, and operational resilience.
Calculate your potential Saving While Using an enterprise TMS
Building Cyber Security in Your Supply Chain’s DNA
You need security that moves at the speed of business. That’s MercuryGate. While your competitors scramble to patch vulnerabilities, you’ll have a fortress that never slows down, thanks to our TMS platform.
- Real-time threat monitoring catches shadows before they become threats.
- Automated risk assessments work quietly in the background, hardening your defenses.
- Cloud security travels with your data, keeping your operation protected whether you’re commanding from HQ or managing from the road.
We built this because we listened — to the dispatchers juggling time-critical loads, the managers balancing security with speed, and everyone who ever had to choose between protection and performance.
To learn more and dive deeper into steps you can take, download our Transportation Data Security eBook for in-depth guidance.
Be sure to see our Data Security Stack for Freight Shippers infographic for a quick, visual understanding.
