Strengthening cybersecurity in digital logistics operations

The new logistics frontier 

Warehouses, transport networks and fulfilment operations are now more connected than ever. Automation, data analytics, and smart devices sit at the heart of logistics, transforming visibility, efficiency, and the customer experience. 

Each new connection brings opportunity and risk. Every link adds value but can also open a doorway for cyber criminals. 

Rising threats in a connected world 

A global ransomware survey (OpenText, 2024) found that attacks hit 62% of organisations through their software or supply chain partners. These breaches do more than lock screens. They can lock entire supply chains. 

One infected system can stop deliveries, distort inventory data and expose client information. Several major logistics providers have faced severe disruption in the past year after cyberattacks. The message is clear: greater connectivity brings greater vulnerability. 

When operations stop, trust erodes 

A cyberattack affects far more than IT; it disrupts every part of the operation. Systems go offline, operations wait for instructions that never arrive, and customers wonder why their goods have not moved. 

Reputational damage spreads faster than the malware itself. Teams move from routine work to crisis recovery mode. Unrehearsed manual workarounds take over, and data integrity becomes uncertain. For clients who depend on real-time visibility, that uncertainty quickly erodes confidence.  

Cyber resilience is operational resilience 

As logistics becomes increasingly digital, cybersecurity must move from being an IT issue to a core operational priority. We cannot remove all risk, but we can reduce the likelihood and impact of disruption. 

Layered protection is key. Endpoint security, multi-factor authentication, and strict access controls help slow down attackers. But technology alone is not enough; often, the best defence is consistency through simple cyber hygiene, followed by every team. 

At Hatmill, we take the same approach we use for any operational risk: identify weak points, prioritise improvements and build resilience through process and people, not just software. 

Learning from other risk disciplines 

The logistics sector already manages physical and operational risks with precision, from safety audits to contingency planning. Cybersecurity deserves the same discipline. 

That means embedding it into everyday decisions such as supplier assessments, warehouse technology rollouts and transport scheduling. In practice, this could mean reviewing digital dependencies as routinely as carrier performance or incorporating cyber risk into supplier scorecards. 

Planning for digital downtime should be as normal as planning for weather-related disruption. 

Looking ahead 

Digital transformation is redefining logistics and its risks. The leaders who succeed will treat cyber resilience as part of operational excellence. 

By pairing secure systems with informed and confident teams, logistics businesses can stay safe while keeping goods and data moving. 

At Hatmill, we help organisations design operations that are resilient by design. In a world where downtime is measured in hours and trust is lost in seconds, resilience is not a goal. It is essential.