Today’s Pickup: ATA releases tool to combat cybercrimes

Good day,

Cyberattacks are a growing concern for supply chain professionals. In 2017, two high-profile attacks on FedEx’s TNT unit and Maersk shipping and the cost of those, which both companies said cost them $300 million in damages, sent ripples throughout the supply chain.

Most trucking companies in the U.S. don’t have the financial wherewithal to protect themselves with sophisticated cyberattack prevention tools, so the American Trucking Associations’ Technology and Maintenance Council and Transportation Security Council, in conjunction with the FBI, has developed Fleet CyWatch.

Fleet CyWatch is a reporting tool to make the process easier for fleet operations to report cybercrimes.

“As the industry responsible for delivering America’s food, fuel and other essentials, security is of paramount importance, particularly in an increasingly technologically connected world,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Fleet CyWatch is the next logical step in our association’s and our industry’s commitment to working with law enforcement and national security agencies to keep our supply chain safe and secure.”

According to ATA, Fleet CyWatch coordinates with private and federal efforts to provide motor carriers with information and recommendations in the areas of cybersecurity awareness, prevention, and mitigation methods. The program connects industry, federal enforcement, and associations and trade groups specialized in cybersecurity to improve U.S. road transport safety.

By subscribing to Fleet CyWatch, fleets will be easily able to report all types of internet crimes related to disrupting fleet operations, which are then communicated to the proper authorities.  After protecting the identity of the reporting fleet, the information is also shared with intelligence analysis agencies and the motor carrier community subscribed to Fleet CyWatch.

The program’s responding alerts will address cybersecurity training and education, cyber-threat trends and patterns and best practices development, ATA added.

Did you know?

According to AvalonCyber, it takes an average of 191 days for a company to identify a cyber breach and an additional 58 days to contain it.

Quotable:

“Each day more deliveries are being made. However, we expect the disruption to some restaurants to continue over the remainder of the week, meaning some will be closed and others operating with a reduced menu or shortened hours.”

– KFC, after a supply chain disruption forced it to close about half of its UK locations due to a lack of chicken

In other news:

India set for air cargo liftoff

Indications are pointing to India finally starting to live up to its air cargo potential, as volumes and demand are both rising. (The Loadstar)

KFC chicken shortage hits DHL supply chain

DHL last week won a delivery contract to handle the supply chain for KFC, but that is under scrutiny now after KFC announced the temporary closing of half its UK locations, citing operational issues. (Bloomberg)

Long Beach residents seek to stop rail yard

A proposed rail yard that that would support container traffic near the Port of Long Beach is being challenged by residents, who threaten to stop the project. (Press-Telegram)

Shipping rates rise in Europe

Road freight rates have reached a 10-year high in Europe even as capacity has increased 6%, according to a new report. (Llyod’s Loading List)

Shippers pay surcharge to hold trucks at drayage facilities

According to a new report, shippers are willingly paying fees to hold trucks at drayage facilities to ensure capacity when needed. (DC Velocity)

Final Thoughts

Cybercrimes are a growing threat in an interconnected society, and many companies are just not prepared for one, believing it won’t happen to them. ATA is trying to help change that with a new subscription service for members that provides a reporting mechanism as well as educational materials to help prevent one. Whether a company subscribes to ATA’s service or not, all must make an effort to ensure they are protected and have procedures in place should they become a victim.

Hammer down everyone!

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