Proofpoint researchers released a comprehensive report on April 19, 2026, detailing a significant escalation in cyberattacks targeting the North American logistics and trucking industries. According to the data, these coordinated digital campaigns contributed to a record $6.6 billion in cargo theft and related financial losses throughout the 2025 calendar year. The findings highlight a shift in criminal tactics, moving from physical heists to sophisticated remote access operations that exploit vulnerabilities in freight brokerage and load board systems.
The report identifies several primary vectors used by threat actors to infiltrate logistics networks. Phishing remains the dominant entry point, with attackers deploying Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools. According to Proofpoint, SimpleHelp and N-able were the most frequently observed first-stage payloads, each accounting for 38.10 percent of observed campaigns. Other tools identified include ScreenConnect, PDQ Connect, Fleetdeck, and LogMeIn Resolve. A key technical discovery in the latest research is the use of a signing-as-a-service tool. This allows attackers to re-sign malicious installers with valid certificates, enabling them to bypass Windows security protocols and maintain persistent access to dispatch systems. Proofpoint noted that small to medium-sized trucking firms are frequently targeted due to having less robust cybersecurity infrastructure than major national carriers.
Once access is established, attackers engage in strategic theft by monitoring load boards—digital marketplaces where shippers post available freight. By intercepting communications between brokers and carriers through email thread hijacking, cybercriminals assume the identity of legitimate transport companies. They then provide fraudulent driver information and vehicle details to secure high-value shipments. Once the cargo is loaded, it is diverted to unauthorized warehouses, where it is offloaded and untraceable before the legitimate carrier or broker realizes the breach has occurred.
Beyond physical cargo theft, the logistics sector has seen a sharp rise in payment diversion fraud. Attackers utilize Business Email Compromise (BEC) to intercept invoices and alter Automated Clearing House (ACH) instructions. By changing the banking details on pending payments, threat actors successfully reroute freight fees and insurance settlements to accounts under their control. In 2025, payment diversion and fraudulent bidding accounted for a significant portion of the total $6.6 billion financial impact reported by Proofpoint and fleet management firm Geotab. This represents a 22 percent increase in losses compared to the previous year, following a 27 percent rise in 2024.
The technical sophistication of these groups has evolved to include the use of deepfake audio and video to bypass multi-factor authentication and identity verification protocols used by freight brokers. Proofpoint analysis indicates that these cyber-enabled thefts are no longer isolated incidents but are part of a broader trend of organized crime syndicates leveraging technical expertise to exploit the global supply chain. The report concludes that the integration of digital load boards and automated dispatching has significantly expanded the attack surface for the logistics industry.