The UK logistics sector is facing growing cybersecurity threats, as evidenced by recent high-profile cyber attacks on Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and logistics provider Peter Green Chilled. These incidents have sent shockwaves through the supply chain, exposing vulnerabilities in transport and fleet operations and highlighting the urgent need for robust cyber resilience strategies.
Image: Co-op
Retail giants Marks & Spencer and the Co-op were recently targeted in cyber attacks believed to be linked to a third-party payroll provider. While internal systems were not directly compromised, personal data of employees was exposed, triggering concerns about phishing, identity theft, and potential long-term operational risk.
Both companies rely heavily on just-in-time delivery models and integrated logistics networks, and a breach of this kind threatens to disrupt core functions, especially where outsourced partners are concerned.
Perhaps more alarming for the logistics community was the ransomware attack on Peter Green Chilled, a temperature-controlled logistics specialist based in Somerset. The cyber incident severely affected their IT systems, halting operations and impacting deliveries to multiple food retailers across the UK.
This attack highlights the very real threat to business continuity when logistics-specific systems, including route planning, vehicle telematics, and temperature control software, are compromised. It also underscores the importance of safeguarding cold-chain logistics, where downtime can lead to spoiled goods and substantial financial loss.
Why the Logistics Sector Is a Prime Target
Cyber criminals are increasingly focusing on logistics firms because:
- They manage critical infrastructure and time-sensitive deliveries.
- Many operate legacy IT systems with limited cyber defence.
- There’s a growing dependency on cloud-based fleet management tools and automated transport scheduling.
- The supply chain often involves multiple external partners, widening the attack surface.
A successful attack can cause immediate operational paralysis, reputational damage, and contractual liabilities.
Signs a Logistics Firm May Be Under Cyber Attack
Fleet and transport managers must be vigilant. Key warning signs include:
- Unexpected system slowdowns or crashes in telematics, routing, or scheduling platforms.
- Unauthorised login attempts or users locked out of key systems.
- Unexplained changes to driver manifests or delivery instructions.
- Unusual data traffic patterns, such as high bandwidth usage at odd hours.
- Ransom notes, pop-ups, or sudden encryption of files.
- Reports from drivers that in-cab devices are unresponsive or displaying errors.
Early detection can make the difference between a contained incident and a full-scale crisis.
How Logistics Firms Can Protect Themselves
To defend against rising cyber threats, logistics businesses should prioritise:
- Cyber Hygiene and Training
- Train all staff—including drivers and depot staff—on phishing scams, suspicious activity, and data handling.
- Promote the use of strong passwords and two-factor authentication for all logins.
- Third-Party Risk Assessments
- Audit and vet all software and service providers for their cyber security protocols.
- Demand cyber resilience plans from partners and ensure contracts include data protection clauses.
- Regular Backups and Patch Management
- Ensure critical systems are backed up regularly and stored offline.
- Keep all software, including fleet management tools and on-board devices, updated with the latest security patches.
- Network Segmentation
- Segment internal networks to isolate critical systems such as routing, telematics, and finance functions.
- Limit access permissions based on role, especially for remote workers and contractors.
- Invest in Endpoint Protection and Monitoring
- Use modern threat detection tools to monitor unusual activity across devices and networks.
- Invest in real-time SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems tailored for logistics environments.
- Incident Response Planning
- Create and regularly test a cyber incident response plan.
- Include contact details for your IT provider, insurance firm, legal counsel, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
The recent cyber attacks affecting Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Peter Green Chilled are a stark reminder that logistics is now on the front line of the cyber war. With attackers targeting vulnerabilities in the supply chain, it’s no longer a question of if a logistics firm will be targeted, but when.
Fleet operators, transport managers, and logistics directors must take proactive steps to secure their operations and stay alert to the signs of compromise. Cyber security is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a business continuity imperative.
