The logistics and transportation sector is facing a sharp evolution in cargo theft, as criminals increasingly rely on cyber techniques to enable physical theft. According to industry data, traditional trailer break-ins and armed robberies are being replaced by account takeovers, system intrusions, and digital deception that allow attackers to divert shipments without ever touching a truck.

Recent warnings from the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) highlight how cyber compromise is now a primary enabler of large-scale freight theft, with losses reaching tens of billions of dollars annually across North America.

Cargo theft has long been a risk for carriers and shippers, but its methods are changing. While earlier incidents often involved force or opportunistic theft, today’s attacks increasingly begin in inboxes, dispatch systems, and cloud platforms.

The transportation industry’s reliance on digital freight brokers, electronic dispatching, GPS tracking, and automated logistics has expanded operational efficiency—but it has also created new attack surfaces for cybercriminals.

CargoNet reported more than 700 cargo theft incidents in the US and Canada during the third quarter of 2025 alone, with losses exceeding $111 million. The American Trucking Associations estimates that freight theft costs the US economy up to $35 billion each year.

NMFTA’s 2026 Transportation Industry Cybersecurity Trends Report confirms that many of these thefts now originate from cyber intrusions. Criminal groups first compromise brokers, carriers, or shippers digitally, then exploit that access to redirect or steal physical freight.

Cyber-enabled cargo theft often follows a multi-stage pattern.

Attackers commonly use social engineering and phishing to gain initial access to transportation systems. Once inside, they deploy remote access tools, harvest credentials, and monitor operations to understand shipping schedules and high-value loads.

Some groups exploit previously leaked data purchased from dark web markets, including driver records, billing templates, shipping lanes, and insurance documents. This information allows attackers to convincingly impersonate legitimate partners.

More advanced campaigns leverage AI-generated phishing emails, deepfake voice calls, and spoofed dispatch updates to manipulate load tenders, change delivery instructions, or reroute shipments. In some cases, GPS spoofing or jamming is used to obscure the physical movement of stolen freight.

The consequences of cyber-enabled cargo theft extend beyond financial loss. Stolen shipments disrupt supply chains, delay deliveries, and damage trust between brokers, carriers, and customers.

Organizations may also face regulatory scrutiny, insurance disputes, and reputational harm when cyber incidents lead directly to physical theft. Recovery often requires both digital forensics and physical asset investigations, increasing response complexity and cost.

This shift demonstrates how cyber risk now directly translates into real-world operational and financial damage. A compromised email account or dispatch system can be just as dangerous as a broken trailer lock.

As attackers increasingly blend digital and physical tactics, transportation companies must treat cybersecurity as a core safety and risk management function—not just an IT concern.

“Across the sector, the correlation between digital compromise and physical theft is now unmistakable,” NMFTA noted, emphasizing that cyber intrusion often precedes or directly enables cargo theft.

Encouragingly, the organization reports that companies investing in social engineering awareness training and phishing simulations have seen measurable reductions in successful attacks, highlighting the value of proactive defense.