EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Transportation industry trends

Subscribe to our cybersecurity newsletter for the latest information.Transportation and logistics executives who develop cyber security strategies and who stay up-to-date concerning the latest cyber security threats can keep people, processes and goods moving around the clock. It’s tough to keep on truckin’ when you’re under a ransomware attack.

Between June of 2020 and June of 2021, the transportation industry witnessed a 186% increase in weekly ransomware attacks. Major transit systems have recently reported breaches. While an attack in April left passengers unharmed, the cyber intrusion rattled those who run the rails.

We’re more dependent on information technology than ever. As a result, protecting IT infrastructure is imperative. To determine how to layer new cyber security protocols into your existing cyber security architecture, see below.

Transit: Ransomware prevention

  1. Green light technical projects. Transit agencies can prevent ransomware attacks by ensuring that technical measures receive due attention. Network segmentation, endpoint anti-malware software and routine patching can help kick ransomware to the curb.
  2. Build backup systems. Ransomware attacks can ruin computer systems, leading to long-term disruptions. In other words, your employees may not be able to perform their jobs and your customers could be left in the lurch for hours, days or even weeks at a time. A backup regimen can help you beat ransomware by offering a quick means through which to restore files.
  3. Experts say avoid fees. Cyber security experts, including Check Point’s CEO, Gil Shwed, discourage organizations from paying ransom fees. Ransomware extortionists may work for terrorist groups and your payment could finance serious criminal activities. In addition, extortionists may fail to provide the promised decryption keys for file restoration. And, when ransomware decryption tools are provided, only 8% restore files to their original forms.In the event that your organization experiences a ransomware threat and backups do not exist, reach out to law enforcement and cyber security experts who can offer assistance. While largely a last resort, free tools may be able to provide ransomware relief and recovery.
  4. Employee education. What your employees do not know could hurt you. Inform employees that everyone’s focused attention on social engineering threat prevention is vital to the continuity of your organization. Therefore, everyone must pay attention to email content and other vehicles for attack.Hackers deliver ransomware threats through a variety of mechanisms, and often focus on email-based dissemination. You may want to encourage employees to silently ask themselves following kinds of questions ahead of engaging with emails.
  • “Does the email look as though it contains an unsolicited, possibly malicious link?”
  • “Any unsolicited attachments with this email?”
  • “Does the language of the email foster a false sense of urgency?”

Further, when it comes to employee education, this merely represents the tip of the iceberg. Moreover, for an in-depth review of employee education initiatives, click here and here.

In conclusion, transportation industry trends indicate that ransomware represents a growing concern. Therefore, prevention and defense initiatives, as executed through cyber security strategies, are indispensable.

For more information on transportation industry trends as they relate to cyber security, click here. In addition, sign up for the Cyber Talk newsletter, which provides robust insights for all sectors year-round.