Cybersecurity in the Supply Chain: Risks, Challenges, and Solutions
The Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 report from the World Economic Forum highlights the increasing complexity of cyberspace and its impact on supply chain management. We analyze these challenges and the compliance with regulations such as the NIS2 directive, the use of the ISO 27001 standard, and the importance of working in digital environments that ensure the security of highly sensitive data handled by supply chains. At CargoON, we contribute with our new Visibility Monitoring functionality, which enables real-time shipment tracking, facilitating early anomaly detection and minimizing risks in logistics operations and transportation.
We review the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 report from the World Economic Forum, which provides a comprehensive analysis of cybersecurity, emphasizing the urgent need for action to address growing risks. As the global economy increasingly relies on digital technologies and interconnected supply chains, cyber threats have become more sophisticated and widespread.
The report highlights key trends, such as the rise in geopolitical tensions, the rapid adoption of emerging technologies, and the growing cybersecurity skills gap. All these factors contribute to a more complex and unpredictable cybersecurity landscape, which undeniably impacts logistics operations and transport management.
Specifically, the supply chain, a critical component of global trade, is particularly vulnerable to these risks. The report underscores the importance of collaboration, resilience, and proactive measures to protect supply chains from disruptions and cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity Risks in Supply Chain Management
The Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 report emphasizes the increasing complexity of cyberspace and highlights several key factors that significantly impact supply chain management in the face of cybersecurity risks:
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Rising Geopolitical Tensions: Conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and recent government changes in the United States contribute to a more uncertain environment, affecting global supply chains and introducing unpredictable risks.
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Complexity in Supply Chain Dependencies: Organizations are increasingly relying on highly interconnected logistics and supply networks. Supply chain management is no longer a simple or linear process; it involves multiple stakeholders, technologies, and geographic regions. Factors such as globalization, digitalization, and the demand for efficiency and resilience in logistics contribute to this complexity, often concealing potential vulnerabilities and making risk mitigation more challenging.
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Rapid Adoption of Emerging Technologies: The accelerated integration of new technologies into supply chain operations requires proper training and support tailored to different user profiles.
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Proliferation of Regulatory Requirements: The global expansion of regulatory frameworks creates a significant compliance burden for organizations. Navigating various regulations is complex and resource-intensive, impacting management strategies and the allocation of operational resources.
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Growing Cybersecurity Skills Gap: The lack of skilled cybersecurity professionals makes it increasingly difficult to manage cyber risks effectively. Despite continuous investments in security, frequent cyberattacks suggest that organizations still face significant challenges in this area.
The report underscores the importance of adopting a “security-first” mindset to address these challenges. Organizations are encouraged to enhance cross-sector collaboration, invest in advanced cybersecurity measures, and prioritize workforce development to strengthen supply chain resilience—ultimately protecting economies and consumers.
How Does CargoON Address Cybersecurity in the Supply Chain?
CargoON recognizes the critical importance of cybersecurity in modern supply chain management and has implemented proactive measures to tackle these challenges, aligning with established directives and standards such as ISO 27001.
NIS2 Directive and ISO 27001: Ensuring Compliance
The NIS2 Directive, in effect across the European Union, requires companies operating critical infrastructures, including supply chain entities, to implement strict cybersecurity measures. CargoON integrates these requirements into its operations, providing tools and processes that help its clients comply with this directive.
Additionally, CargoON aligns its data security framework with the ISO 27001 international standard, ensuring that all data managed through the platform is handled, processed, and protected according to the highest global standards. This approach provides clients with a secure ecosystem that not only enhances operational efficiency but also guarantees compliance with essential cybersecurity regulations and standards.
This comprehensive approach reinforces CargoON’s role as a trusted partner in the digitalization of supply chains, while protecting against evolving cyber threats, offering:
Enhanced Data Security
- Ensures encrypted storage and secure management of sensitive supply chain data.
- Operates in compliance with the GDPR directive and other European data protection regulations.
- Adheres to ISO 27001, providing a systematic approach to securely manage sensitive information.
Collaborative Transparency
- Facilitates and encourages secure communication between shippers, carriers, and stakeholders, reducing vulnerabilities related to unauthorized access.
Risk Management Through Real-Time Tracking
- Provides real-time shipment tracking and ETA calculations to minimize disruption risks.
- Detects operational anomalies and proactively addresses vulnerabilities.
Technology Integration with a Security-First Approach
- Implements emerging technologies such as AI-driven algorithms and predictive analytics, with robust security measures.
- Aligns with ISO 27001 principles to protect IT infrastructures.
Strict Access Controls
- Uses role-based access controls (RBAC) to ensure that only authorized personnel can manage sensitive data.
- Guarantees data governance by enforcing predefined permissions among supply chain actors.
Supplier Assessment & Certification
- Provides functionalities to specify security certifications and requirements, ensuring compliance with industry security standards and minimizing third-party risks.
Cybersecurity Awareness & Training
- Promotes cybersecurity awareness internally and among clients, fostering a culture of vigilance within the supply chain.
- Emphasizes the importance of regulatory compliance and best practices in cyber risk management.
Real-Time Visibility: A Key Pillar for Supply Chain Security
In an environment where cyber threats can cause significant disruptions—ultimately impacting the end consumer—real-time visibility not only optimizes operational efficiency but also reinforces transportation security. The ability to track and monitor shipments in real time helps detect anomalies before they escalate into critical issues, reducing risks related to unauthorized access, fraud, or targeted attacks on the supply chain.
CargoON integrates advanced visibility solutions to ensure full control over logistics flows. Through the Visibility Monitoring module, which facilitates ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) calculations, companies can anticipate delays, identify potential security gaps, and mitigate risks before they disrupt operations. This transparency within the supply chain not only enhances decision-making but also helps prevent incidents that could compromise both data integrity and transported goods.
Protection Against Attacks Through Encrypted Data and Secure Traceability
The integration of real-time visibility in digital platforms like CargoON provides an additional layer of protection against cyberattacks that target vulnerabilities in transportation management. By combining continuous tracking with restricted access systems and encrypted data, CargoON minimizes the risk of fraudulent manipulation or unauthorized external interventions in transport orders.
Additionally, CargoON enables supply chain operators to proactively identify route deviations or suspicious activity that could indicate cargo theft attempts or targeted attacks on logistics infrastructure. This early detection capability is crucial for risk management and allows for the real-time implementation of corrective measures.
By ensuring detailed operational tracking and secure data traceability, CargoON helps its clients implement security strategies that not only protect sensitive information but also comply with increasingly stringent European regulations.
Ultimately, the combination of cybersecurity and real-time visibility not only reduces vulnerabilities but also strengthens trust in the supply chain, ensuring that critical data and logistics operations remain protected against evolving threats.
