When a ransomware attack shuts down dispatch, drivers don’t move, shipments stall, and customers lose confidence. Last year, Estes Express Lines was hit by a cyberattack that froze its freight operations for nearly a week. Around the same time, Ward Transport & Logistics confirmed it had been targeted too, forcing temporary shutdowns across its systems.
Then, in July 2024, a faulty global software update from CrowdStrike caused IT systems to crash across industries – grounding flights, freezing logistics networks, and exposing just how dependent critical operations have become on interconnected technology.
Each of these incidents underscores a new reality: IT outages and cyber threats are now business threats. The transportation and logistics sector – once seen as an unlikely target – is now one of the most vulnerable industries to cyber disruption.
IBM’s X-Force Threat Intelligence Index ranks transportation among the top five most-attacked sectors globally, accounting for roughly 7% of all observed incidents. Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report paints a similar picture: nearly half (44%) of breaches involved ransomware, and 60% of breaches stemmed from third-party compromises – a common scenario in logistics networks where partners exchange sensitive data across dozens of platforms. The cost of a breach in transportation now averages $4.4 million, according to IBM.
Legacy systems: The hidden points of failure
Many fleets still run dispatch, routing, and maintenance systems built a decade ago – or longer. These legacy platforms weren’t designed for a connected era and often lack modern security controls, making them easy prey for attackers.
Take electronic logging devices (ELDs). Researchers at the University of Tulsa demonstrated how attackers could hack into certain ELD models in under a minute from a nearby vehicle, installing malware capable of spreading truck to truck. The study found that poorly secured Bluetooth connections, hardcoded passwords, and lack of firmware validation left devices wide open to exploitation.
For fleets, that means the same tools used to keep drivers compliant and efficient can also serve as entry points for cyber intruders. Combine that with outdated on-premise dispatch systems and unsupported operating systems – sometimes running 24/7 with no patch cycles – and you’ve got an ecosystem built on risk.
The challenge is compounded by interconnectedness. Fleets exchange data daily with brokers, shippers, and 3PLs. One weak link - say, a broker’s compromised FTP server or an exposed API - can quickly cascade into a full-blown fleet shutdown. As Verizon’s data shows, supply-chain-linked breaches are on the rise, and logistics firms are particularly susceptible due to their sprawling integrations.
Security by design, not by patchwork
Too many organizations still treat cybersecurity as a bolt-on problem. They install firewalls or endpoint tools after an incident, patching over vulnerabilities instead of addressing their root causes. But reactive fixes create a false sense of safety.
What’s needed now is security by design – an architectural mindset that builds protection into every layer of operations. For fleet IT leaders, that means:
- Segmenting networks to prevent lateral movement if an endpoint is compromised.
- Implementing zero-trust frameworks, where every system interaction is verified.
- Encrypting all data in transit and at rest, including ELD and telematics transmissions.
- Limiting access through role-based permissions, so employees and partners only see what they need.
Migrating to cloud-first architectures can help. Cloud systems typically provide regular security patches, redundancy, and continuous monitoring – features that legacy servers can’t easily replicate. According to IBM’s 2025 report, organizations that adopted extensive security AI and automation saw an average of $1.9 million lower breach costs compared to those that didn’t – making it clear: this isn’t just IT resilience, it’s a business advantage.
Building a cyber aware culture
Technology alone won’t solve the problem. The weakest link is often human. According to CISA, enabling multi-factor authentication makes users “99% less likely to be hacked.” Yet, too many fleet organizations still rely on single passwords and shared logins across dispatch and telematics tools.
To build a cyber-aware culture, fleets must:
- Mandate MFA and strong password policies across all systems.
- Conduct regular employee training on phishing and cyber hygiene, especially for dispatchers and drivers who use connected apps on the road.
- Run periodic security audits and penetration tests to uncover weaknesses before attackers do.
- Develop a clear incident response plan – with defined roles, communication steps, and recovery procedures.
Estes’ response during it cyberattack offers a playbook worth noting for fleets: within 90 minutes of detecting the intrusion, the carrier cut off network access, isolated systems, and deployed an incident response team. That decisive action limited further damage and helped the company resume partial operations sooner than expected.
Cybersecurity as a competitive advantage
The evolution of connected logistics -- from predictive routing to AI-driven planning – has expanded both opportunities and risks. As fleets digitize, the attack surface grows. But those that embed cybersecurity into their operational DNA will emerge stronger, more efficient, and more trusted by customers.
Cyber resilience is now a core pillar of business continuity. It protects not only dispatch systems and shipment data but also the brand equity built on reliability and trust. The fleets that thrive in the next decade won’t be those that move the fastest – they’ll be the ones that can keep moving when others are forced to stop.
In an era where one ransomware email can halt hundreds of trucks, cybersecurity isn’t a side concern -- it’s the foundation of every mile delivered.
