Think about everything riding in a modern truck cab: the electronic logging device tracking hours, the tablet running the driver’s apps, the telematics box reporting location and engine health. Every one of them help fleets run more smoothly and efficiently.

But each one is also a small computer connected to the wider network. Today, a truck is multiple connected devices on wheels and, like the laptop on your desk, it can be broken into.

That's a risk trucking fleets can't afford to overlook.

In a 2024 Hexnode survey of more than 1,000 IT professionals across industries involved in the supply chain, 42% reported their organizations were unprepared for cyberattacks. One-third of logistics and supply chain organizations fell victim to cyberattacks in the past year, and more than 60% of those attacks were classified as serious.

The risks go beyond stolen data. A cyberattack can disrupt dispatching, interfere with customer communications, compromise driver information, or even shut down operations.

Trucking needs to embrace digital technology to stay competitive. But as fleets add more connected devices, they also need to make sure their cybersecurity protections keep up.

More Devices, More Data, More Ways In

Not that long ago, trucking was a comparatively analog business. Fleet managers focused on equipment performance, load weights, driver hours, and other operational challenges. Cybersecurity wasn't always high on the priority list, because there wasn't much to get hacked.

That changed with the one-two punch of the ELD mandate and the explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT). Suddenly, by law, vehicles had to carry connected hardware. New devices of nearly every form and function entered the market, ushering in a new technological era without a corresponding security culture to support it.

Today, fleets may have multiple connected devices in each cab, along with tracking systems installed on trailers and other assets. Those technologies provide valuable information about vehicle location, maintenance needs, cargo conditions, and driver performance.

All this has vastly increased the amount of data fleets collect. But they also created more potential entry points for cybercriminals.

And installing connected technology isn't a one-time decision. Devices need ongoing management, software updates, and security monitoring throughout their useful lives.

Built for the Road, but Not Always Secure

There's an irony in the rugged technology used in trucking. Devices and sensors may be designed to withstand vibration, extreme temperatures and other harsh operating conditions. But their physical durability doesn't necessarily mean they're secure against cyberattacks.

Beneath the rugged exterior lies an interior that’s too often carrying outdated software and factory-default or easy-to-break passwords. Worse, there’s often no requirement to update them, leaving them unpatched and exposed far longer than is safe.

Cybercriminals don't necessarily need sophisticated new techniques to exploit these weaknesses. Automated tools can scan networks for vulnerable devices, and artificial intelligence is making some attacks faster and more difficult to detect.

A single poorly protected device may be enough to give an attacker a foothold.

If connected systems aren't adequately separated, attackers who gain access through one device may be able to move into other parts of the company's network.

That could expose routes, cargo information, customer records, or drivers' personal information. In more serious cases, attackers could deploy ransomware that locks employees out of critical systems until they pay.

The consequences can be expensive. IBM's research on data breaches has found that incidents in the transportation industry can cost companies millions of dollars, including lost business and recovery expenses.

And the potential for operational disruption raises the stakes for trucking fleets that depend on real-time information to keep freight moving.

The question isn't just whether fleets recognize the danger. It's whether they're taking the steps needed to protect themselves.

Start With the Devices You Already Have

Before investing in more cybersecurity technology, fleet managers should know what's already connected to their systems. Take an honest look at every connected device in your fleet and think about the weak spots.

That means identifying every ELD, tablet, telematics unit, and other connected device used across the fleet. It also means understanding what data those devices collect, which systems they can access, and who is responsible for keeping them secure.

Don't overlook devices managed by outside technology providers. Ask vendors how frequently they issue security updates, how those updates are installed, and what happens when a device is no longer supported.

Software patching is one of the most important defenses.

Many attacks exploit vulnerabilities that software manufacturers have already identified and fixed. But those fixes don't help if the updates are never installed.

For fleets with dozens or hundreds of devices, manually tracking updates can become difficult. Automated device-management systems can help IT teams monitor equipment, enforce security settings, and schedule updates when they won't interfere with operations.

Devices that can no longer receive security updates may need to be replaced or isolated from other systems to reduce the risk.

Don't Give Hackers the Keys to Everything

Another important step is making sure access to one device doesn't automatically provide access to everything else.

This is the idea behind a cybersecurity approach known as zero trust. Rather than assuming a device or user is safe because it's already connected, systems verify identities and limit access to what each person or device actually needs.

For example, a driver tablet may need access to dispatch instructions and hours-of-service information. It doesn't necessarily need access to payroll records, financial systems, or other sensitive company data.

Separating systems and limiting permissions can help contain the damage if a device is compromised.

Fleets should also require strong passwords and multifactor authentication wherever supported, particularly for systems containing sensitive information.

Larger operations may benefit from tools that monitor unusual activity across connected devices and alert IT teams to possible attacks. But the underlying goal is the same regardless of fleet size: make it harder for someone who gets into one system to access the rest of the business.

A “zero trust” approach verifies every user and device before granting access, so even if attackers break into one device, they can’t roam freely across the rest of the network. Pair that with monitoring tools such as extended detection and response (XDR) to detect unusual activity and shut down threats before they spread.

Make Cybersecurity Everyone's Job

Technology alone won't keep a fleet secure.

Drivers, dispatchers, maintenance employees, and managers all interact with connected systems. They need to recognize suspicious activity and know what to do when something doesn't look right.

Build a culture where employees recognize phishing attempts, know how to report suspicious activity, and understand that cybersecurity is a team responsibility. This goes a long way toward making every driver, dispatcher, and manager your first line of defense in a “human firewall."

Training should go beyond a one-time presentation or annual checklist. As technology and cyber threats change, employees need reminders and practical examples that relate to their daily work.

Fleets also need a plan for what happens when something goes wrong.

Who should a driver contact if a tablet behaves strangely? What happens if the dispatch system suddenly becomes unavailable? Who has the authority to disconnect affected systems, and how will the fleet continue operating while the problem is investigated?

Those questions are much easier to answer before an attack than during one.

Ask the Right Questions

Connected technology isn't going away, nor should it. Real-time fleet visibility, improved routing, better maintenance information, and fewer manual processes all offer significant benefits.

But fleets need to treat cybersecurity as part of managing that technology, not as an afterthought.

Hexnode's research found that more than 40% of companies lack a well-defined incident response plan, and one-quarter take between one and three months to detect breaches.

Start by asking a few questions: Do we know every device connected to our systems? Are those devices receiving security updates? Are we limiting access to sensitive information? Do our employees know how to recognize and report potential threats? And do we have a plan if an attack disrupts operations?

Fleets don't have to solve every cybersecurity problem at once. But they do need to know where their vulnerabilities lie and take steps to address them.

Smart devices only create weak defenses if we let them. By combining up-to-date software with well-trained teams and better visibility across their devices, fleets can build a layered defense that attackers can’t easily automate their way through.

About the author:Apu Pavithran is the founder and CEO of Hexnode, a company that provides endpoint management software for securing, managing and monitoring connected devices. He is a speaker and consultant on IT management and information security.

This article was authored and edited according to Heavy Duty Trucking’s editorial standards and style to provide useful information to our readers. Opinions expressed may not reflect those of HDT.