Logistics is a critical part of the modern supply chain. Companies need a way to get their products to customers, just as customers need to receive the products that businesses sell. The logistical process itself is a technical wonder—a network of ships, planes, and trucks all come together to ensure that goods reach their buyers. And thanks to modern supply chain technology, manufacturers and retailers can track the flow of their goods more accurately.

For instance, miniature tracking devices embedded in goods and materials can now send real-time data via Bluetooth, WiFi, or radio frequency (RF). These devices help sellers keep up with the speed and accuracy of today’s supply chain. The faster a ship arrives at port, the sooner workers can unload the goods and load them into trucks. The faster goods arrive at their destination, the bigger the likelihood that customers will buy them.

Delays in any part of the supply chain can ultimately lead to a loss in sales momentum. And competitors won’t hesitate to fill the gaps when they see your delivery system falter.

Supply Chain Cyberattacks

Given how vulnerable supply chain technology is, logistics and warehouse companies often become targets of criminal attacks. Ransomware, phishing, and malware are now daily battles in shipyards, warehouses, and fleet garages.

In fact, Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka said that he’s witnessed an increase in cybercrime activities. He noted that in 2022, the LA terminal experienced 40 million cyberattack attempts every month. In response, the port invested millions of dollars to protect its data, establishing one of the world’s first Cyber Resilience Centres.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about other organizations. In 2023, a single data breach  costs companies a global average of $4.45 million. This represents a 15% increase over the last three years. Clearly, logistics organizations must do more to prevent an increase in cybercrime incidents that threaten the entire supply chain. Otherwise, consumers will have to endure increased prices and product shortages.

The Vulnerability of COSU Devices

Caught in the middle of the cyberwar are corporate-owned, single-use (COSU) devices. These smart devices are actually powerful computers repurposed to perform a single function. Think barcode scanners, warehouse inventory tablets, and radio-frequency identification (RFID) monitors, for example.

Because their jobs include sending product stock information from one device to another, they become attractive targets for cyber thieves. Once hackers gain access to these devices, they can either corrupt the data or shut down operations. They might also install ransomware and hold data hostage in exchange for a huge sum of money.

Cybercriminals use a variety of common techniques to access unprotected COSU devices, including spoofing, phishing, or malware infection. Hackers can also overload networks by swamping them with data requests. This often leads to a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack, which essentially shuts down the entire supply chain technology. Once an attack is in full swing, system administrators have no way to stop the damage. In this case, taking preventative measures is vital.

How Mobile Device Management Systems Secure COSU Devices

Investing in smart devices equipped with modern supply chain technology can improve both operations and efficiency. However, acquiring these devices and implementing technology without accounting for maintenance, management, and security can be a costly mistake.

Instead, allocate a certain portion of your IT budget for acquiring a reliable mobile device management (MDM) system. This can help ensure that your devices are running the latest and most secure software versions. Let’s look at some specific ways MDM can secure your COSU devices.

Unified Endpoint Management

Hackers commonly exploit devices that run outdated software. These vulnerabilities enable criminals to access login credentials or spoof account information. Once hackers assume control of a device in the network, it’s only a matter of time before they start stealing data or holding the system hostage.

To prevent this from happening, devices should run the latest software versions that include fixes from previously detected security issues. A reliable device manager that can connect securely and remotely to all devices in the network can deliver critical technology updates at the needed time to keep your supply chain safe.

Zero-Trust Framework Policy

A capable device management platform can also implement a zero-trust framework (ZTF) in every device. Instead of assuming that all registered devices are safe to connect, ZTF does the opposite. It treats all connected devices as possible threats and continuously requires users to enter login credentials during intervals. After all, if a system doesn’t trust anybody, then nobody can betray the system.

Assigning different access levels to different user types can also help keep devices under control. Users can run official apps and save files, but they can’t access system settings or copy data files to external drives. Similarly, admins and IT staff can monitor device health and make repairs, but they cannot access user data or individual account files. This compartmentalization can limit data exposure and prevent attempts to tweak or steal information.

What’s more, a proactive device manager with zero trust can easily detect attempts to log into devices with unauthorized credentials. Instead of repeatedly challenging the unknown user to validate the login, the system administrator can unilaterally shut down or freeze the device to prevent further login tries. Admins can even wipe data completely from a device should an unauthorized user gain access.

A Secure Supply Chain Technology Keeps the Goods Flowing

Investing in device management means utilizing today’s technologies. Using a secure cloud system is the best way to deliver critical updates to fleet devices at the soonest possible time. In addition, having the ability to manage and secure multiple devices running on different operating systems is a great way to maintain control and tight integration.

When investing in modern supply chain technology, save some room for capable and reliable device management software. Having a platform that can manage, maintain, and secure your devices and their contents can help you prevent disruptions in the supply chain. The best-performing devices are those that run the latest software versions and come equipped with proactive security measures that deter cyber thieves.

 

Author Bio: Nadav Avni is Chief Marketing Officer at Radix Technologies. Nadav has been at Radix Technologies for the past four years, originally joining as a Marketing Director. He has extensive experience in marketing from technology and advertising companies, having previously held roles at VBox Communications, Leverate and Nokia.