Digital Supply Chain (DSC)
Read more
Cyber Security in Logistics Old systems have long been more than just an efficiency problem
Logistics today is more digital and more networked than ever before. Conveyor technology, PLC control systems, sensor technology, mobile devices and cloud-based systems are all interlinked and enable speed, transparency and precision. But it is precisely this networking that makes modern warehouses vulnerable to attack.
Cyber security is no longer just an IT issue. It affects a company's ability to produce, its ability to deliver and ultimately the security of its existence. The crucial question is therefore not whether an attack will occur, but when and how well you are prepared for it.
When the past becomes the greatest weakness
Many factories, warehouses and logistics centers use components that are technically outdated. Outdated operating systems, label printers, unpatched control systems, proprietary protocols or firmware continue to run in the background, often unnoticed. These systems have been doing their job reliably for years and have long since been written off. This is precisely what makes them deceptively secure. Because while attack strategies are constantly evolving, their security architecture remains static.
A typical scenario from practice:
An industrial PC with firmware is connected directly to the warehouse WLAN. Access data has never been changed and there has been no update for years. It appears inconspicuous for operations. For attackers, it is the perfect entry point. Malware can use devices like this to penetrate the network and reach central systems.
What follows are not just IT problems. It is real downtime in the warehouse. No bookings, no picking, no delivery.
Why are warehouses specifically in the crosshairs?
Logistics areas are among the most sensitive and at the same time most vulnerable zones in companies today. They are highly networked. Various warehouse/material flow systems and external service providers are constantly interlinked. Every transition is a potential weak point. At the same time, warehouses and distribution centers are part of critical supply chains. Whether food, medicines or production materials.
A failure has an impact not only internally, but across entire value chains. Added to this is the enormous time pressure. Just-in-time processes leave little room for manual emergency solutions. What comes to a digital standstill practically comes to a complete standstill.
Old landscapes against modern architecture
Many existing IT landscapes have grown historically. Different systems, isolated solutions and individual interfaces have built up over the years. Each expansion was intended to solve one problem and often created two new ones in the process.
Such structures are difficult to secure because no one has a complete overview.
Modern platforms such as SAP show how things can work differently. They rely on integrated architectures, standardized interfaces, end-to-end security concepts and regular patch management. The SAP EWM, SAP TM and SAP DM modules are an integral part of the SAP suite.
This does not mean that a one-system solution automatically guarantees security. But it does create the prerequisite for security to be systematically implemented and monitored in the first place. In addition, modern security mechanisms play in a completely different league, e.g. with cloud security, load balancing, multi-level system transports (development and Q system), digital twins, simulation and emulation tools, etc.
Security is thus transformed from an emergency measure into an integral part of the process landscape.
What this really means for decision-makers
For managing directors and logistics managers, availability is paramount. Do the goods arrive on time? Is the warehouse stable? Can the processes be planned?
For IT management, it's all about controllability. Transparency. The ability to recognize risks early on instead of reacting to emergencies.
In this context, old equipment, stationary PCs, in-house servers and confusing structures are not just technical weaknesses. They are business risks. They influence audits, insurability, compliance and, in an emergency, even the personal responsibility of decision-makers.
A modern warehouse management system does not simply replace software. It changes the entire risk profile of a location.
Examples that show how real the danger is:
A warehouse manager only noticed an attack when access to the WMS was suddenly no longer possible. Access was gained via an outdated label printer that was classified as non-critical. This resulted in several hours of downtime, contractual penalties and considerable reputational damage.
In another project, old barcode scanners and unprotected PC or PLC components were replaced as part of a retrofit. It was only during the analysis that it became clear how easy it would have been to gain external access. Without this measure, a single attack would have been enough to compromise the entire warehouse.
These cases are not exceptions. They are a realistic reflection of the current threat situation.
Conclusion: Security does not start in the firewall, but in the architecture
Cyber security in logistics is not the result of a single tool or an additional local firewall. It starts with the architecture, the system landscape and the decision to consistently question outdated structures.
Anyone still relying on old components, isolated individual solutions and non-transparent interfaces is increasing the risk with every further step towards digitalization.
Modern systems such as SAP EWM are not a panacea. But they are a central building block for secure, transparent and future-proof logistics.
In short, it's not just about technology. It's about the stability of the entire operation. And after all, you want to be able to sleep peacefully.
