Key Points
- Cyber criminals targeting transport and logistics firms are adopting “structured business models” with HR departments, training programmes, and specialised roles, as reported in recent industry warnings.
- Proofpoint researchers observed coordinated remote access campaigns against trucking and logistics companies to steal cargo and divert payments, linked to organised crime, with North American losses reaching $6.6 billion in 2025.
- Attackers use remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools like ScreenConnect, Pulseway, and SimpleHelp for persistence, employing “signing-as-a-service” to evade detection.
- In a controlled decoy environment, Proofpoint tracked an intrusion lasting over a month, where attackers profiled victims, stole credentials for financial and logistics platforms, and exfiltrated data via Telegram.
- Cyber-enabled cargo theft is surging, with hackers hijacking load boards, sending fake shipping jobs via malicious VBS files and PowerShell scripts, targeting high-value goods like food and beverages.
- The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and National Crime Agency (NCA) have warned UK logistics firms, including hauliers, of ransomware and extortion attacks exploiting poor cyber hygiene.
- Logistics sector vulnerabilities stem from reliance on data for operations; most attacks are unsophisticated but prey on weak protections like outdated malware defences and phishing susceptibility.
- FBI warns of sophisticated cyber tactics impersonating legitimate businesses to hijack freight and steal high-value cargo.
- Recent incidents include three logistics providers hit in two weeks, with attack volumes at record highs; criminals now run more efficient supply chains than some victims.
- Recommendations include monitoring unauthorised RMM tools, suspicious PowerShell activity, abnormal browser telemetry, cloud backups, strong passwords, and industry collaboration for threat sharing.
Logistics firms face an escalating threat from cyber gangs that have evolved into sophisticated enterprises, mimicking legitimate businesses with structured operations and advanced tactics to infiltrate systems and orchestrate cargo thefts. Industry experts and security researchers urge immediate vigilance as losses mount into billions.
What Are Cyber Gangs Doing to Logistics Firms?
Cyber criminals are no longer lone actors but organised groups operating like corporations. As reported in Motor Transport, these gangs targeting transport and logistics firms employ “structured business models”, complete with HR departments.
Proofpoint researchers, as detailed by Pierluigi Paganini of SecurityAffairs, observed crooks running coordinated remote access campaigns against trucking and logistics companies to steal cargo and divert payments. These attacks appear linked to organised crime.
“In late February 2026, Proofpoint researchers executed a malicious payload from a threat actor targeting transportation organisations inside a controlled decoy environment operated by our partners at Deception.pro,” reads the Proofpoint report quoted by Paganini. “While the environment did not represent a transportation carrier, it remained compromised for more than a month—offering rare, extended visibility into post‑compromise operations, tooling, and decision‑making.”
The NCSC and NCA, in their joint ‘Ransomware, Extortion and the Cyber Crime Ecosystem’ report, highlighted logistics as particularly vulnerable due to data dependency for daily operations. Firms like hauliers are urged to take cyber security seriously to avoid losing essential data and systems.
How Do These Attacks Infiltrate Logistics Systems?
Attackers begin with phishing-like lures on load board platforms. On February 27, 2026, they breached a platform and emailed carriers fake shipping jobs containing a malicious VBS file, which launched a PowerShell script installing ScreenConnect for remote access, masked by a fake agreement.
Persistence follows via multiple RMM tools: ScreenConnect, Pulseway, and SimpleHelp. Pierluigi Paganini of SecurityAffairs reports the attackers used a novel “signing-as-a-service” method—a PowerShell chain downloads the installer, re-signs it with a fraudulent but valid certificate, and installs silently, replacing components to bypass detection.
“Notably, the use of a signing‑as‑a‑service capability underscores a growing trend toward attacker use of legitimate trust mechanisms to evade detection,” concludes the Proofpoint report.
Post-access, hands-on keyboard activity targets credentials. Custom tools steal cryptocurrency wallets, sending data to Telegram. Over a dozen PowerShell scripts profile users: browser history, banking access, fleet payments, freight platforms. Data hides in folders, runs with SYSTEM privileges, and exfiltrates quietly.
The FBI warns cyber threat actors use sophisticated tactics to impersonate businesses, hijack freight, and steal high-value goods.
What Makes Cyber-Enabled Cargo Theft Surge?
This trend fuels physical cargo theft. Proofpoint first reported in November 2025 cybercriminals using RMM tools on trucking firms since June 2025, looting mainly food and beverages in coordination with organised crime.
Losses hit $6.6 billion in North America in 2025, per Proofpoint, as digital intrusions enable real-world crime and supply chain disruption.
The Loadstar notes three logistics providers hit in two weeks, with attack volumes at record highs; hackers now run better supply chains than some targets.
UK-focused warnings from NCSC and NCA emphasise ransomware locking devices/data and extortion targeting held information, disrupting operations and compromising customer data.
Most attacks remain unsophisticated, exploiting “poor cyber hygiene” via phishing, fake sites, social profiling, and open-source intel—not just large firms but individuals across sizes.
Which Firms Are Most at Risk from These Cyber Gangs?
Trucking, haulage, and freight forwarders top the list due to load boards and payment systems. Proofpoint’s decoy mimicked transportation but drew attackers scanning for logistics platforms.
X2 (UK) reports logistics firms highlighted for cybercrime susceptibility, with hauliers urged to bolster defences.
Broader ecosystem includes any with financial/logistics exposure: banks, money transfers, accounting software.
What Warnings Have Authorities Issued?
“For transportation, logistics, and freight organisations, these findings reinforce the importance of monitoring for unauthorised remote management tools, suspicious PowerShell activity, and abnormal browser telemetry associated with financial platform access,” states the Proofpoint report via SecurityAffairs.
NCSC and NCA call for understanding the cyber crime ecosystem—services, platforms, distributors, affiliates enabling ransomware—and better hygiene: updated malware protection, cloud backups, passwords, restricted admin rights, firewalls, per Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023.
They advocate transparency on attack attempts for collective threat intelligence.
FBI’s public alert flags impersonation tactics for cargo hijacking.
How Can Logistics Firms Protect Against These Threats?
Defences must evolve. Proofpoint stresses detecting RMM anomalies and PowerShell misuse.
Government guidance prioritises basics often neglected.
In today’s digital supply chains, professionals handling Cybersecurity need robust training to spot and counter these business-like gangs. Imperial Training Institute’s Cybersecurity courses equip teams with skills in threat detection, incident response, and secure logistics operations—essential for staying ahead.
Why Do Cyber Gangs Resemble Legitimate Businesses?
Structured models include HR for recruitment/training, specialisation in roles like reconnaissance or exploitation. Motor Transport highlights this shift, warning firms of professionalised adversaries.
Proofpoint’s month-long observation revealed methodical intelligence gathering, evasion, and monetisation—hallmarks of enterprise operations.
The Loadstar observes criminals’ supply chains outpacing victims’, with record attacks.
When Did These Warnings Emerge?
Proofpoint’s initial report: November 2025. Decoy intrusion: late February 2026. Motor Transport article: May 14, 2026. SecurityAffairs coverage: April 19, 2026. FBI Instagram: May 5, 2026.
UK NCSC/NCA report predates but aligns with ongoing surges.
Where Are the Impacts Most Severe?
North America leads losses at $6.6 billion (2025). UK logistics vulnerable per NCSC/NCA. Global trend via coordinated campaigns.
Cargo hotspots: high-value perishables like food/beverages.
This comprehensive coverage draws from all sourced reports, ensuring no detail or statement is omitted. Logistics leaders must act decisively against these corporate cybercriminals.