--- title: Cyber Security Measures Every Warehouse Should Take description: To ensure cyber security, every warehouse should update all systems, create a cyber security policy, have a password management system, back up databases, use antivirus software, have a security incident response plan in place, and audit the system annually. image: https://www.americanwarehouses.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/AW-Blog-Cyber-Security-Measures-Every-Warehouse-Should-Take.jpg --- **Celebrating 75 Years of Service to the Greater Houston Area** [![vast.png](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/hubfs/AmericanWarehouses_Logo.svg "vast.png")](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/) Open main menu Close main menu - [Our Story](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/our-story) - [Our Services](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/our-services) - [The AWI Difference](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/the-awi-difference) - [Resources](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog) Open the submenu - [Houston's Top Public Warehouse](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/american-warehouses-houstons-top-public-warehouse) - [Contact Us](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/contact-us) [Warehouse Management System](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/tag/warehouse-management-system) [WMS](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/tag/wms) # Cyber Security Measures Every Warehouse Should Take By American Warehouses [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/cyber-security-measures-every-warehouse-should-take) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/cyber-security-measures-every-warehouse-should-take) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/cyber-security-measures-every-warehouse-should-take) ![IT Specialist Works on Computer](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/AW-Blog-Cyber-Security-Measures-Every-Warehouse-Should-Take.jpg) Throughout the last decade, third-party logistics companies have been popular targets for cyber attacks, and these firms are not alone. In 2013, credit card details for more than 40 million [Target](https://www.techrepublic.com/article/the-10-most-important-cyberattacks-of-the-decade/) customers were stolen by hackers who accessed the systems through a third-party contractor. And the list goes on.  Indeed, cyber attacks have become more frequent. According to a Clark School study at the University of Maryland, a computer is attacked by a hacker every [39 seconds](https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/87787-hackers-attack-every-39-seconds), and in 2018, hackers were estimated to have stolen [half a billion](https://www.cybintsolutions.com/cyber-security-facts-stats/) records. To make matters worse, it may take up to six months until most companies that are affected by such hacks to detect a data breach.  It goes without saying that protecting customer data should be a top priority. If a hacker gains access to a warehouse’s management system or other software, they could collect customer payment information, steal addresses or phone numbers, install [ransomware](https://www.us-cert.gov/Ransomware), and affect freight systems or orders.  Although companies can’t prevent data breaches from occurring altogether, they should try to mitigate this risk as much as possible by incorporating cyber security systems just as they do other forms of protection. Here’s how.  ## 7 Actions to Ensure Cyber Security ### 1. Keep all Systems up to Date As threats become more sophisticated and common, keep your cyber security system up to date. Older technology doesn’t have the latest security protocols and is more vulnerable to attacks.  ### 2. Create a Cyber Security Policy  Develop a cyber security policy that all employees must read and agree to. It should explain the importance of cyber security and updated systems, include password storage and sharing guidelines, describe various phishing emails and scams and what actions employees should take, illustrate how to apply privacy settings, and tell staff to report lost or stolen devices.  ### 3. Manage Passwords To protect the warehouse management system, passwords will need to be complex (a random combination of letters, numbers and special characters) and changed periodically. Because employees will be privy to this information, there should be a system in place for sharing. Passwords should be written down on paper or communicated verbally, so they’re not easily found in emails or other vulnerable programs.  ### 4. Back Up Databases As a precaution, you should regularly back up important data, such as customer contacts and order information, in multiple locations. Why? Well, If a hacker locks you out of the system or encrypts your files, all of your data will still be accessible in external harddrives.  ### 5. Use Antivirus Software, Firewalls and Ransomware Protection Antivirus software prevents, detects and removes software viruses. Meanwhile, anti-ransomware protects systems from malware that locks users out of files in an attempt to extort money. Firewalls prevent unauthorized users from accessing private networks. Before selecting any of these tools, research what’s available and best for your company.  ### 6. Have a Security Incident Response Plan Seventy-seven percent of security and IT professionals claim they do not have a cyber security incident response plan. That’s not good enough. It’s no longer a question of “if” an attack will happen, but “when.” It’s important to have a disaster plan in place, so data can be recovered and operations can resume in a timely manner after a breach.  The plan should outline the procedures a warehouse uses to detect and respond to a cyber attack. It should include: - **Incident response team:** Designate a team to respond to the cyber attack.  - **Incident management principles:** The investigation will have a certain level of confidentiality. Affected stakeholders must be notified and the situation reported to management. This section of the plan should outline communication guidelines. - **Cyber security incident phases:** First, a warehouse must identify the type of incident by assessing the symptoms. The attack and investigation must be documented and the warehouse should determine the origin of the incident so it can be isolated. Remediation and recovery measures—installing updates on systems, changing passwords, and removing viruses—should be taken. Finally, the incident should be reported and reviewed. ### 7. Audit the System Annually Each year, make sure your warehouse management systems are up to date, cyber security policies are updated, your data is backed up efficiently, a plan is in place for password management, and the security incident response plan is tailored to react to new types of attacks.    ## **Cyber** [**security and safety**](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/the-most-important-safety-security-measures-in-warehousing) **are a top priority at American Warehouses. We follow protocols to ensure our internal system remains secure for customers.** [**Contact us**](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/contact-us) **to learn more. ** ### Free Informational Circular Fill out the form to get your instant download of this convenient document highlighting how AWI helps companies maximize their supply chain operations. ![Thumbnail of one-sheet download](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AW-OneSheet-Stroke.png?width=2018&name=AW-OneSheet-Stroke.png) ### Leave a Comment ## Related Articles [![](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/hubfs/AW-Why-Customers-Stay-With-American-Warehouses.jpg)](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/why-customers-stay) [Insights](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/tag/insights) ### [Why Customers Stay With American Warehouses](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/why-customers-stay) [Read More](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/why-customers-stay) [![warehouse storage](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/AW-Blog-Reducing-Your-Houston-Storage-Costs-With-AWI.jpg)](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/reducing-your-houston-storage-costs-with-awi) ### [Reducing Your Houston Storage Costs With AWI](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/reducing-your-houston-storage-costs-with-awi) [Read More](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog/reducing-your-houston-storage-costs-with-awi) ### 1918 Collingsworth St, Houston, TX 77009 713.228.6381 [Info@AmericanWarehouses.com](mailto:info@americanwarehouses.com) ##### Navigation - [Our Story](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/our-story) - [Our Services](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/our-services) - [The AWI Difference](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/the-awi-difference) - [Resources](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.americanwarehouses.com/contact-us) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AmericanWarehouses/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/AWarehouses) © Copyright 2026 American Warehouses. 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