In-house data storage a hacker's dream

As revealed in a  BBC Panorama programme shown just this week, cyber crime is now a well established industry whose modus operandi is to try to steal the hard-won gains of any company that leaves itself open to their vicious attacks. These attempts to gain access to companies’ data systems are going to become an even more commonplace occurrence and the impact of a successful attack cannot be underestimated. 

Beware - freight transport operators are not immune from cyber attacks!

In our own transport sector, there have been a significant number of companies that have been victims of cyber crime, and the subsequent impact not only affected the companies themselves but also their customers and even their associated supply chains. For instance, refrigerated transport firm Peter Green Chilled was a victim of a cyber attack only last month. The safest approach - while admitting that nothing can ever be 100% safe - is for operators to utilise leading edge IT solutions and the very best of those work on a Software as a Solution (SaaS) basis. SaaS transport management systems, being web-based, have distinct advantages over legacy own-hardware based systems, such as:

• Centralised Security Updates & Patches. One update protects everything on the SaaS platform.

• Enterprise-Grade Security Measures. Security is a central concern for all SaaS providers and so improvements for one help every other user.

• Reduced Endpoint Vulnerabilities. The only access points for hackers is from the login so no phishing, etc., can impact the solution. 

• Easier Vulnerability Testing. Customers can undertake their own tests and there are specialist companies that will undertake these tests on the company's behalf.

Overall, sensible freight transport operators need to take IT security very seriously as it could literally mean the end of their business. To learn more about how SaaS TMS solutions, including our own CarrierNet, work and can combat cyber crime more effectively, contact Bashir Khan here.