Everyone Concerned About Protecting Enterprise Assets In Trucking Should Attend This Event
Alexandria, Virginia, June 29, 2023 – The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is putting the final touches on its plans for its 2023 Digital Solutions Conference. As the trucking industry moves aggressively toward digitization, the potential for cyberthreats is exploding. The industry needs to be prepared.
Set for Houston from October 22-25, the conference is the only event in the nation focused exclusively on cybersecurity issues for the trucking industry.
Major topics to be covered at this year’s conference include:
- A review of the cyberthreat landscape facing the trucking industry
- Current tools and strategies for preventing truck hacking
- Explaining the IoT (Internet of Things) and how it can leave you vulnerable
- How to build a culture of cybersecurity at your company
- Best practices in API security
- Exercises to test your company’s preparedness
- Understanding IT security and OT security
- Threats from the most basic of sources: E-mail
- Securing the right level of cybersecurity insurance to match your need and risk
According to internet security analysts, the number of ransomware attacks ballooned by 105 percent in 2022 compared to 2021 — and 2021 saw a 61 percent increase over 2020. Experts expect those numbers to be even higher for 2023. The 2022 IBM Security study showed that 4 percent of all cyberattacks were aimed at the transportation industry, making it the seventh-most targeted industry in the past year.
“Hackers realize digital innovation is still a new phenomenon in trucking, and they think they see opportunities,” said NMFTA’s Executive Director Debbie Sparks. “It’s our top priority to make sure they have no reason for confidence. And the speaker lineup for this year’s conference will provide attendees with an astonishing wealth of information to help them protect their enterprises.”
The conference is also a rare opportunity for technologists who serve the trucking industry to get face time with executive-level decision makers in the industry. Media are also highly encouraged to cover the conference. Any reporters interested in making arrangements should contact NMFTA at (703) 838-1818.
The keynote speaker will be Nada Sanders, Ph.D., presenting on “The Future of Work.” Sanders will help get attendees ready to take advantage of key trends that will shape the workplace, what to expect and how to maintain the human advantage in a technological era. The presentation will critically tie to the security needs of the trucking industry, including a look at the future partnership between man and machine in recruiting the workforce of the future.
The United States Secret Service will also make a presentation on cyber assets and cybercrime trends. Other speakers include:
- Bosch’s Chief Technical Expert Robert Kaster
- Cloud Security Alliance’s Vice President of Growth Eileen J. Sciarra
- Colorado State University’s Associate Professor of Systems Engineering Jeremy Daily, Ph.D.
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Cybersecurity Advisor, (Region VI, Southeast Texas and New Mexico) George Reeves
- Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Supervisory Special Agent Cyber Division (Atlanta Office) Chad Hunt
- Kleinschmidt’s Chief Executive Officer Dan Heinen
- Marsh’s Account Manager Shelley Thompson
- Microsoft’s Security Engineers Jennifer Drouilhet and Leo Ramirez
- NMFTA’s Director of Enterprise Security Antwan Banks
- NMFTA’s Senior Cybersecurity Research Engineer Ben Gardiner
- Peninsula Truck Lines’ IT Operations Manager Chloe Callahan
- Virginia Tech’s Associate Professor Ryan Gerdes, Ph.D.
A wide variety of players in the LTL trucking industry are encouraged to attend this conference, including visionary CEOs, IT professionals, maintenance professionals, shippers, carriers and final-mile delivery professionals.
The conference is also an excellent opportunity for anyone with an interest in, or connection to, the LTL trucking industry to sponsor the conference. It’s an unprecedented opportunity to get face time and recognition among the decision-makers at LTL carriers, technology providers, and third-party logistics firms. Anyone interested in a sponsorship should contact NMFTA at (703) 838-1810.
The event, which takes place at the Westin Oaks Houston at the Galleria, will open on Sunday night, October 22, with a live truck-hacking demonstration, followed by a welcome reception and dinner. The next three days offer a non-stop series of presentations and discussions, kicked off on Monday morning with the powerful, “Lessons Learned in 2023” panel.
There is still time to register for the conference. For more information, visit www.nmftacyber.com and follow #NMFTACyber on social networks.
About NMFTA
Since 1956, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA) has represented the interests of the less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier industry. The NMFTA publishes the National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC®), assigns Standard Carrier Alpha Code™ (SCAC®), assignment of Standard Point Location Codes® (SPLC™), develops digital standards for the LTL industry, and safeguards those digital standards through cybersecurity research, dissemination of studies, and education. Membership in NMFTA is available to all for-hire interstate and intrastate motor carriers. For more information, visit www.nmfta.org.
Contact
Marli Hall
Director of Communications & Member Services
marli.hall@nmfta.org
703-838-1818
