A new report from Ivanti highlights social engineering as a leading vulnerability in warehouse cyberattacks. With the rise of IoT devices and modernization efforts, the supply chain sector faces heightened risks requiring immediate action.
Social Engineering: A Critical Weak Spot
The research from Ivanti reveals that 32% of warehouses identify social engineering as a primary method for cyberattacks, matched by software vulnerabilities, and followed by device-related breaches at 19%. As integral hubs of supply chain operations, warehouses hold sensitive data and manage complex logistics, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. Successful breaches can lead to severe operational downtime, reputational harm, and financial losses.
The report emphasizes that the current pace of cybersecurity adoption in the supply chain industry is insufficient to counter emerging threats. Leaders in the sector are urged to implement multi-layered defenses, combining advanced training, process changes, and unified endpoint management tools to minimize human error and mitigate risks.
Low Cybersecurity Awareness Hinders Preparedness
Despite the clear dangers, the research finds that cybersecurity is a top concern for only 58% of warehouses, while 13% dismiss it as a non-issue. This complacency leaves critical systems exposed, particularly as the proliferation of IoT technologies increases the attack surface. Hackers targeting warehouses not only disrupt operations but can also access customer data, eroding trust and damaging long-term business relationships.
The findings stress the urgency for supply chain leaders to view cybersecurity as an operational priority. Warehouses must integrate digital risk management into their modernization efforts, ensuring they do not trade efficiency gains for vulnerability.
Resilience Requires Action
Cybersecurity must become a foundational part of warehouse operations, not an afterthought. Social engineering, as a human-centric threat, demands a combination of technological solutions and robust workforce education. Leaders should act decisively to protect both their operations and the trust of their stakeholders. In today’s interconnected environment, those who fail to adapt risk being left behind—or worse, taken down by preventable attacks.
