There is no industry that is immune to hacking and ransom or malware attacks, and that means at Lutheran Brothers in Detroit, Michigan, we have put together information on how to protect yourself from cyber hackers. The damage that a cyber attack can wreak on a business can be costly and long-lasting. In some instances, the business that was hacked is sometimes forced to rebuild its infrastructure from the ground up.
Businesses in the logistics and shipping industry have long been targets for these criminals. The main reason being that if the supply chain is interrupted, the ripple effects can be felt globally.
Hackers target:
- Arrival dates
- Departure dates
- Locations and stops along the route
- Air, ground, rail, truck and water routes
- Client data
- Payment information
- And more
How to protect yourself from cyber hackers
- Know what data is valuable to a cyber criminal. In a supply chain, almost every step along the way in a global system that stores data and information through shared integrations can mean that not only is the initial business going to suffer from the attack, but all businesses that share data are vulnerable.
- Invest in safeguards for all data along your supply chain. Insist that the partners with whom you work have also invested in data security technology.
- Make certain your internal data systems are protected against malware and malicious software. Have your tech team install virus detection and firewall systems. The security software should have a strong password (having a password that is 21 characters, letters and symbols is not unheard of). Use multi-factor authentication. Ensure that only people who need access have access. Guard your passwords from potential internal breaches.
- Back up all files and databases regularly. If you get hacked, you will have a current database that you can use to recover client and your business data.
- Adapt an internal cyber security mandate. Train your employees on using high-level passwords, not sharing passwords and not clicking on attachments in emails. Educate your employees on all aspects of cyber security and keep them regularly updated. Remind employees that hackers are stealthy and can create email addresses, invoices and other data that looks exactly like a client email or an internal invoice. Not opening or downloading attachments or using unauthorized software is best practice.
- Keep an open line of communication with your supply chain and shipping partners. Don’t let your business fall victim to a cyber attack because one of your collaborative partners was hacked. Hackers typically attack one business and use it as the “hub” in order to infiltrate the systems of the partners the original business works with. That means you could have the highest security in place, but if one of the partners you work with is lax, you are unprotected. You can’t control what they do with their security, but you can certainly implement your own internal security protocols and only work with partners who comply.
- Hire a cyber security expert. Don’t rely on the person on staff who “knows tech.” Cyber security experts are well-versed in all aspects of how the mind of a cyber criminal works and can implement security measures to thwart them and protect you.
Cyber threats are an almost daily occurrence, and no industry is safe. Protect yourself – even if multi-factor authentication and long passwords are burdensome, imagine the alternative.
When you’re looking for secure, easy-to-access, quality, experienced storage professionals, contact Lutheran Brothers.
If you are looking for clean, secure and economical warehouse space to lease and operate your business in with your own personnel, look no further than Lutheran Brothers in Detroit, Michigan.
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