CarriersEdge introduced a course to help truck drivers and office staff better understand how to protect personal and company information from cyberattacks. The online training course, “Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Data,” explains the methods hackers use to trick people into giving up classified information; potential consequences of data breaches; and ways to minimize the risks of a cyberattack happening in the first place.

According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, more than 1,200 data breaches occurred in 2018, exposing more than 445 million records. Additionally, a recent report conducted by data-security provider Mimecast Limited, found transportation to be among the top three sectors most threatened by cyberattacks.

“Since the trucking industry is especially vulnerable to cyberattacks, it’s important to do what you can to minimize your risk of being hit,” said Jane Jazrawy, CarriersEdge co-founder and CEO. “When an attack does happen, it’s not uncommon that hackers will target the same fleet again. You can’t let your guard down to a data breach attempt, especially with all that is happening with the COVID-19 outbreak. Now that more people are working from home, we’ve seen an uptick in reported data breaches as cybercriminals increasingly target home routers, which are typically not properly secured.”

According to a study sponsored by IBM Security, the chances of experiencing a data breach continues to increase each year. Since 2014, the likelihood of a data breach occurring within two years has risen to 29.6% from 22.6%.

Jazrawy said that, even with advances in software and firewalls designed to protect you from cybercriminals infiltrating your database, hackers continue to find new ways to try and obtain the information they desire.

“As you may have already experienced, these cybercriminals also use malware, or ‘social engineering,’ to persuade you into opening or sharing important information that may lead to a data breach,” she said. “The emails or phone calls you may receive can seem very legitimate, so it’s important to know how to identify suspicious activity so you don’t share information with the wrong people. Our new course, ‘Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Data’ will help you learn how to prevent that from happening.”

“Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Data,” is made up of four half-hour modules that use text, images, interactive exercises and real-life examples to cover what employees need to know about how to identify a potential cyberattack and how to reduce the chances of it occurring. The course includes quizzes and a final test, which carriers can use to maintain records of this training.

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe a cyberattack.

• Explain the importance of cybersecurity.

• Identify “data” and where it can be found.

• List the three classifications of data.

• Explain how a digital footprint can be used by cybercriminals.

• Identify common tactics used by cybercriminals to access data.

• Identify best practices for cybersecurity.

• List the steps to take if cybersecurity is at risk.

"Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Data” can be taken any time and any place drivers have access to a computer or mobile device and an internet connection, providing flexibility to keep up-to-date with training while traveling or at home. “Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Data,” is designed to be a resource for all fleets. The course is also Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) certified and meets the cybersecurity component of the CTPAT program.

CarriersEdge courses are available in multiple languages, in introductory, refresher and remedial formats, on subjects including defensive driving, hours-of-service rules, vehicle inspections, and handling hazardous materials. CarriersEdge regularly updates and adds to its list of training modules; recent additions include courses on practical cargo securement and violence, spotted lanternfly, and weights and dimensions.