In a world where cargo moves at the speed of commerce, the threat of remote cyberattacks on freight companies looms large. Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools to hijack shipments, putting your cargo at risk. This blog dissects how these attacks unfold, what information is at stake, and the steps you can take to safeguard your valuable shipments. Understanding these threats is not just about data protection; it's about keeping your business on track.
What Datapoints Were Leaked?
Remote cyberattacks on freight companies are hitting right where it hurts: the data that keeps shipments moving. Attackers are zeroing in on specific datapoints using Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools—software originally designed for IT support, but now exploited for unauthorized access.
What Are Cybercriminals After?
Routing Information: Details about cargo routes, schedules, and delivery windows. If this data falls into the wrong hands, it’s a roadmap for theft or disruption.
Client Details: Names, contact information, and even contractual agreements. This information can be used for identity theft or targeted phishing attacks.
Shipment Manifests: What’s in each container, where it’s going, and who’s expecting it. This opens the door for targeted cargo hijacking.
Internal Communications: Emails, memos, and messages between teams and partners. These can reveal vulnerabilities or negotiation tactics.
Access Credentials: Usernames, passwords, and authentication tokens, often left exposed due to poor security hygiene. Once obtained, they provide a direct line into freight company systems.
How Are RMM Tools Exploited?
RMM tools allow IT teams to manage devices remotely, but when misconfigured or inadequately protected, they can become an entry point for attackers. Cybercriminals scan for exposed RMM endpoints, use stolen credentials, or exploit unpatched software. Once inside, they move laterally, quietly gathering sensitive data before anyone notices.
Common Data Points at Risk
Personal Identifiable Information (PII): Employee and client records.
Financial Data: Billing information, payment records, and financial statements.
Operational Data: Real-time tracking, inventory records, and dispatch logs.
If you’re wondering why this matters, consider the domino effect. When attackers get access to these datapoints, it isn’t just about leaked documents—it’s about compromised shipments, delayed deliveries, and a direct hit to business trust.
Should You Be Worried?
A data breach isn’t just an IT problem. It’s a wake-up call for companies and individuals alike, especially in sectors like freight and logistics where a single attack can shake the foundation of trust and finances.
The Real Cost of a Data Breach
When a cyberattack strikes, the impact hits in two main areas:
Financial Damage: Companies face direct losses from stolen funds, ransom payments, and regulatory fines. Cleanup costs—from hiring forensic experts to upgrading security—add up fast. Insurance premiums often rise after an incident.
Reputational Harm: Trust is fragile. A breach can lead to lost customers, partners backing out, and a dip in market value. Once your name is associated with a breach, it sticks for years.
Freight Companies: Sitting Ducks for Cyberattacks
Freight companies are prime targets because they run on digital systems that, if compromised, can cause massive disruption.
Operational Chaos: Hackers can halt deliveries, scramble shipment data, and cause delays across the supply chain.
Remote Attacks: Cybercriminals don’t need to be anywhere near your facility—they can strike from across the world, exploiting weak points in your network.
Real-World Fallout
Some of the most publicized breaches in recent years have left freight companies reeling:
Global Logistics Firm Attacks: Operations ground to a halt for days. Customers lost shipments. The company faced millions in losses and had to rebuild its credibility from scratch.
Ransomware Hits: Freight operators have been forced to pay hefty ransoms just to regain access to their systems, only to face ongoing reputational fallout.
Why It Matters to Everyone
Data breaches don’t just threaten companies—they put everyone’s information at risk. Personal data, shipment details, and sensitive business info can all end up in the wrong hands. The ripple effect is real: delays, lost packages, and higher costs for consumers.
Cloaked steps in by providing advanced data protection for sensitive freight and logistics data. Their security features make it much harder for attackers to access or misuse customer and shipment information, directly addressing the core issues exposed in recent breaches.
In short: Yes, you should be concerned. Cyberattacks are not rare events—they’re a growing problem with very real consequences for both companies and the people who rely on them.
What Should Be Your Next Steps?
Securing your supply chain against cyber threats is no longer a "nice to have"—it's essential. Every link in your chain can be a potential target. Companies have learned this the hard way, sometimes losing millions and their reputation overnight. Here’s how you can step up your defenses, starting now.
1. Identify Your Weak Points
Map out your supply chain: Know exactly who handles your data and where it travels. Every third-party vendor or logistics partner could be a gap for attackers.
Evaluate risk: Assess which partners have access to critical systems or sensitive information. Prioritize them in your security reviews.
2. Set Up Strong Access Controls
Limit data sharing: Only share what’s absolutely necessary with suppliers. The less you expose, the less you risk.
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA): Make it harder for attackers to break in, even if they get a password.
3. Monitor for Trouble—Constantly
Proactive monitoring: Use tools to watch for unusual activity or unauthorized access attempts. Don’t wait for something to break.
Regular audits: Schedule checks on your partners’ security practices. Ask for proof, not just promises.
4. Educate Your Team
Run training sessions: Teach your staff how to spot phishing emails and social engineering tricks. A single click can bring down the house.
Keep security top of mind: Reminders and refreshers keep everyone alert, not just IT.
5. Build Incident Response Plans
Prepare for the worst: Know what you’ll do if a breach hits your supply chain. Have roles, responsibilities, and communication templates ready.
Test your plan: Simulate attacks to see how your team responds. Fix the gaps before real attackers find them.
6. Safeguard Sensitive Data
Encrypt data in transit and at rest: Make intercepted information useless to hackers.
Mask sensitive information: Limit exposure even inside your own company.
If you’re handling large volumes of sensitive data—think customer identities, financial records, or proprietary processes—tools like Cloakedcan help. Cloaked’s platform offers real-time data masking and granular access controls, letting you share information with vendors without handing over the keys to your kingdom. It’s an extra layer that keeps your secrets, well, secret.
7. Demand Accountability from Partners
Set clear security requirements: Make strong cybersecurity practices a part of every vendor contract.
Ask for evidence: Insist on up-to-date certifications, regular security assessments, and transparency about incidents.
Staying ahead of cyber threats means treating supply chain security as an ongoing process, not a checkbox. By making these steps a habit, you put up real roadblocks between attackers and your business.
Cloaked FAQs Accordion
Frequently Asked Questions
Cloaked is a privacy-first tool that lets you create secure aliases for emails, phone numbers, and more—shielding your real identity online. With Cloaked, your personal info stays protected from breaches, scams, and tracking.
Look for urgent messages, unfamiliar links, or strange sender addresses. With Cloaked aliases, it’s easier to identify which site may have leaked your contact details and ignore suspicious communications.
Yes. If a Cloaked alias starts receiving spam, you can pause, delete, or rotate it. This eliminates the need to change your real email or phone number.
They do different jobs. VPNs protect browsing. Password managers secure logins. Cloaked protects your real identity at the contact level—emails, phones, and personal identifiers.
Definitely. Use Cloaked aliases to avoid spam and limit exposure to companies that may mishandle or leak your data.
At Cloaked, we believe the best way to protect your personal information is to keep it private before it ever gets out. That’s why we help you remove your data from people-search sites that expose your home address, phone number, SSN, and other personal details. And to keep your info private going forward, Cloaked lets you create unique, secure emails and phone numbers with one click - so you sign up for new experiences without giving away your real info. With Cloaked, your privacy isn’t a setting - it’s the default. Take back control of your personal data with thousands of Cloaked users.
*Disclaimer: You agree not to use any aspect of the Cloaked Services for FCRA purposes.
