Fleet Management Software: A Buyer's Guide
Find out how GPS fleet tracking works and how to find the right fleet management software for your business with our Buyer's...
Read moreConnectivity, particularly in terms of the Internet of Things (IoT), is positively trending in the trucking industry as fleet managers look to increase productivity and become more agile. But when everything—including smartphones, infotainment systems, in-cab computers and back-end systems—is linked via the internet, the risk also increases.1
As digital technology and connectivity have become more sophisticated, they can provide benefits like cost reduction, increased safety and streamlined operations. However, they have also opened fleets up to more advanced cybersecurity threats.
While organizations like the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) have published cybersecurity industry standards for OEM automakers to follow when designing and manufacturing new vehicles, there are still many ways that connected cars and other vehicles can be exploited. Proactively evaluating potential security risks and subsequently putting the right security solutions and protocols into place can enable your fleet’s cybersecurity to keep pace with its digital transformation goals.
According to truckinginfo.com, ransomware and phishing attacks are the most pervasive types of cybersecurity threats. These types of cyberattacks can lead to system outages that interrupt operations and can lead to unnecessary downtime and lost revenue. “The phishing attack is the first step. That’s the strategy hackers use to gain access to your system, which allows them to download the ransomware. When a person clicks a link in a phishing email or text message (smishing), it opens a door into your system.”2
Businessfleet.com points out, “When cybercriminals can create one hack that could affect an entire fleet of trucks, that means less of a monetary investment for them…The more effort they need to put in and the more investment they need to make, the less likely they will be to target your vehicle. If they find there is common protocol across a fleet of trucks, hacking one truck will mean they will be able to hack many more, and it will make it more attractive to them.”3
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When the ELD mandate came into effect, a host of companies offering ELDs flooded the market. This means fleet managers have a new data security issue to contend with—making sure the ELDs they deploy are safe from hackers and potential data breaches.4
Here are some points to keep in mind:
This past May, the FMCSA released a set of cybersecurity best practices. These include questions fleets should ask their ELD suppliers, such as:5
The best practices document also includes recommendations once ELDs are deployed:5
Whether it’s an inside threat or a savvy cybercriminal mining for load locations or financial information, fleets and companies of all sizes must protect themselves.
So, what can fleet owners and managers do?6
Consider creating a six-step protocol to further strengthen cyberattack preparedness and reactivity:7
Sources:
2https://www.truckinginfo.com/352987/dont-let-your-trucking-data-be-held-hostage
3https://www.businessfleet.com/314519/fleet-cyberattacks-prevention-and-response
5https://www.truckinginfo.com/10123379/fbi-bulletin-puts-spotlight-on-elds-and-cybersecurity
7https://www.truckinginfo.com/341883/why-trucking-companies-need-to-plan-now-for-a-cyber-attack
Tags: Cybersecurity
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