Even if your company has the most up to date and sophisticated security for your network, you’re still at risk of a cyber-attack, an event that can have devastating consequences for your business. Loss of earnings and reputation have a negative effect on consumer confidence, and legal disputes and regulatory investigations are just some of the issues you could face afterwards (not counting the expense to fix the problems caused by the attack). Your supply chain can grind to a halt and you will experience some serious downtime. It’s important to stay up do date on security for your company to avoid these problems.

1 – Identify potential cybersecurity weaknesses

Instead of considering the data they store and what could be taken in the event of being hacked, businesses need to examine their core operations to identify critical weak points. Where are the critical hotspots where disruptions would have the greatest impact and hit the hardest? With the associated risks understood, companies can assess the likelihood of an attack, reduce and even fully prevent disaster.

2 – Check the security of your supply chain

Logistics companies have a very good understanding of the impact any disruption to the supply chain can have; delayed deliveries lead to fines and contract termination and empty trucks increase costs, ultimately putting pressure on employees and customers alike.

Today supply chains call for visibility, including exchange of sensitive information with multiple partners, some of which are several tiers removed from the manufacturer. The ability to protect data can be highly variable.  Sharing information with suppliers is essential, but it also increases the risk of information being leaked. Ensure you identify which suppliers pose the greatest risk for data theft.  A process and auditing standard such as ISO 270001 can help.

3 – Tracking your supplies

The ability to track shipped goods domestically, regionally and globally is now a basic requirement for logistics. The growth in tracking and the software that enables it has developed beyond systems that are used within the industry.

Greater volumes of people track their goods.  Consumers doing their internet shopping are often able to determine the exact position of their order. If a consumer can track their items, then a hacker will have no problem doing so either.  Security measures need to be in place along the route your supplies take, not just at ports and entry points.