In recent years, Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common across all industries. It seems the type and size of a company are no longer a criterion when it comes to Ransomware attacks. One particular industry that has been hit hard by these attacks is Shipping and Transportation.

According to a report by Trellix, Ransomware attacks on Shipping and Transportation companies have doubled since the last year. The rise in attacks is due to the fact that these companies have started to heavily rely on technology to operate.

So why are transportation and shipping companies such attractive targets for cybercriminals? And what can businesses do to protect themselves from these attacks? Let’s take a closer look.

Transportation and Shipping Companies are an attractive target

There are a few reasons why the transportation and shipping industry is an attractive target for ransomware attackers. First, these companies often have large networks that span multiple countries. Most Shipping and Transportation companies provide essential services to other industries such as hospitals and power plants.

This makes it difficult for them to secure all of their data, this industry relies heavily on computer systems to track shipments and manage operations. If these systems were to be taken offline by a ransomware attack, it would cause major disruptions. Additionally, many transportation and shipping companies store sensitive customer data, such as credit card information and addresses.

This data could be used by attackers to extort even more money from their victims. Many transportation and shipping companies operate on tight margins and may not have the resources available to properly recover from a ransomware attack. This makes them more likely to pay the ransom in order to get their operations back up and running as quickly as possible.

In addition, many transportation and shipping companies are not sufficiently prepared to deal with a ransomware attack. They do not have adequate backups of their data or the necessary security protocols in place to prevent an attack from happening in the first place.

There are several steps that transportation and shipping companies can take to protect themselves from ransomware attacks.

Given the increasing threat of cyberattacks, it’s more important than ever for companies in the shipping and transportation industry to take steps to protect their data. Here are a few recommendations:

  • Keep your software up to date: One way to prevent attacks is to make sure all the software your company uses is up to date with the latest security patches. That includes everything from operating systems and web browsers to routers and firewalls.
  • Back up your data regularly: One of the most effective ways to recover from a ransomware attack is to restore your data from a backup. That’s why it’s important to back up your data on a regular basis. There are many different ways to back up data, such as using an external hard drive or cloud storage service. Choose the option that best meets your needs and make sure to test your backups periodically to ensure they are working as expected.
  • Train your employees: It’s important to educate your employees about the dangers of clicking on email attachments from unknown senders or visiting websites with malicious content. Attackers will often use phishing emails or drive-by downloads in order to infect a system with ransomware. By training your employees on how to spot these types of attacks, you can help protect your systems from being compromised.
  • Use anti-malware protection: Anti-malware protection can detect and remove malware, including ransomware before it has a chance to encrypt your files. Be sure to install anti-malware protection on all of your devices and keep it up-to-date in order to get the best protection possible.
  • Use encryption: Encrypting your data makes it difficult for criminals to access it if they do manage to penetrate your system. When encrypting data, be sure to use both encryptions at rest (which protects data that isn’t being used at the moment) and encryption in transit (which protects data as it moves between different parts of your network).
  •  Work with trusted partners: Finally, remember that you don’t have to go it alone when it comes to cybersecurity. There are plenty of partners—including managed service providers, security consultants, and Insurance companies—that can help you assess your risks, implement security measures, and recover from an attack if necessary.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your business is protected against even the most sophisticated cyberattacks.

Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly common, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The transportation and shipping industry is one sector that has been particularly targeted by these types of attacks due to the exchange of large amounts of data between different parties.

In order to protect your data from being compromised by ransomware install data protection software such as Siccura. Siccura will protect all your files with strong encryption, so you can rest assured that your data is safe from any potential cyberattacks. Have you installed a data protection solution yet? If not, now is the time to do so. Protect yourself and your business before it’s too late.