IAM logistics and the Maersk incident – A lesson in IT Security for the supply chain
In June 2017, Maersk, one of the world’s leading logistics companies, fell victim to the NonPetya malware. Central IT & OT systems failed within a very short space of time, leading to considerable disruption: supply chains were interrupted and the company had to switch to manual processes for several days. The incident caused considerable financial damage and highlighted the dependence of modern logistics companies on stable and secure IT structures.
A key problem: a lack of protective measures such as clearly defined access rights and a segmented network structure allowed the malicious code to spread quickly. The Maersk incident is an example of how crucial a robust security strategy is to maintaining logistics operations – especially in an increasingly digitalized industry.
Effective Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a key component of this. This ensures that access to sensitive systems and data can be controlled and protected in a targeted manner. The incident at Maersk provides an important opportunity to highlight the importance of IAM for security and efficiency in logistics
IAM in logistics
The logistics sector is one of the most networked and digitalized industries in the world. Companies not only have to manage internal processes efficiently, but also collaborate with a large number of external partners such as suppliers, freight forwarders and customers. This complex structure makes the protection of sensitive data and systems a key challenge. IAM plays a crucial role in this.
Why IAM is important in logistics
- Access control for a complex user landscape:
Logistics companies work with a wide variety of user groups – from internal employees to drivers and external service providers. IAM makes it possible to clearly define access rights and ensure that each user can only access the systems and data relevant to them. - Protection of sensitive data and systems:
Freight information, customer data and customs clearance documents are essential for operations and are often the target of cyber attacks. IAM protects this data by restricting access to authorized persons and devices. - Challenges posed by IoT and networked systems:
The increasing use of IoT devices such as sensors, autonomous vehicles and warehouse robots poses significant challenges. In many logistics companies, IT and OT (operational technology) systems are separated from each other, which makes it difficult to manage access in a uniform manner. Traditional IT IAM systems are often not designed to authenticate OT devices or control their authorizations/system entitlements.
In addition, technical obstacles such as proprietary interfaces, incompatible standards and a lack of security functions in older devices pose further challenges. Without the integration of these systems, however, centralized access control remains incomplete, which creates potential security risks. A modern IAM must therefore offer solutions to connect the IT and OT worlds and securely integrate IoT devices into the network.
The key functions of an IAM system
An effective IAM is far more than just a tool for managing users and passwords. It forms the basis for clear and comprehensible role and authorization concepts that ensure both security and compliance with legal and industry-specific requirements.
A central component of an IAM system is the clear definition and management of authorizations. The aim is to ensure that every user – be it an employee, a service provider or an external partner – only has access to the systems and data that are necessary for their tasks. This principle of least privilege minimizes security risks and reduces the attack surface.
Different approaches can be used to implement such authorizations:
- Role-based access control (RBAC): User authorizations are assigned on the basis of defined roles that correspond to typical task profiles (e.g. “warehouse worker”, “dispatcher” or “IT administrator”).
- Attribute-based access control (ABAC): Authorizations are assigned dynamically based on attributes such as location, working hours or specific tasks.
- Context-Aware Access: A modern approach in which access depends not only on the role, but also on situational factors such as the device used or the geographical location.
Authorization concepts ensure that access rights are assigned in a traceable and consistent manner. Each authorization should be documented, including the reasons why it was granted. Such concepts provide a clear basis for internal controls and audits, which are particularly important in industries with high regulatory requirements such as logistics.
Documentation and traceability
Proper documentation of authorizations is not only important for security reasons, but also to maintain an overview of complex systems. A good IAM system makes this possible:
- Overview: Clear representation of who has which access rights.
- Chage history: Traceability of when and why authorizations were granted, changed or withdrawn.
- Automated reports: Support for internal and external audits through standardized reports.
With these functions, an IAM system ensures that companies comply with their security requirements and retain control over their IT infrastructure. Whether static roles or dynamic attributes: The approach can be flexibly adapted to a company’s individual requirements.
From vulnerabilities to best practices: How NEXIS 4 supports IAM logistics
The increasing complexity of IT systems in the logistics industry presents companies with major challenges: different roles, a large number of users and external partners as well as high regulatory requirements. This is where NEXIS 4 comes in – a platform that has been specially developed to manage the entire lifecycle of authorizations efficiently and securely.
Support for logistics companies
With our solution, we are already supporting customers from the logistics sector, such as Swiss Post, in optimizing their authorization structures. NEXIS 4 helps to overcome challenges such as complex authorization landscapes and high security requirements. Our platform offers significant added value:
Role Mining and role optimizations:
Analysis of existing authorization structures to identify redundant, contradictory or missing roles. This allows authorizations to be adjusted in a targeted manner and security risks to be reduced.
Data hygiene:
Outdated or unused authorizations are identified and removed to improve the clarity and security of the IT infrastructure.
Authorization concepts:
We support companies in the creation and implementation of clear concepts that ensure that access to systems is assigned in a comprehensible and compliant manner.
Regular recertifications and audits:
Automated processes regularly check authorizations, ensuring that they are still necessary and correct. This also makes it much easier to prepare for audits.
Lessons learned from the Maersk incident
The incident at Maersk has shown how serious the consequences of a lack of or inadequate authorization management can be. Vulnerabilities such as unsegmented networks, uncontrolled administrative rights and the lack of regular authorization checks have allowed malware to spread unhindered and cause massive damage.
Today, however, there are modern approaches and technologies that can significantly minimize such risks. Consistent authorization management with clearly defined concepts, automated checks and regular recertifications ensure that comparable incidents no longer have to occur on this scale.
The increasing digitalization of logistics requires companies to not only act reactively, but also proactively identify and eliminate vulnerabilities. With a solution such as NEXIS 4, security and compliance goals can be achieved efficiently, while at the same time making the IT environment more transparent and easier to maintain.
Our NEXIS Health Check is a first step towards greater security and efficiency. With this service, we analyze your existing authorization structure, uncover weak points and show you how you can improve your IT security in the long term.
Find out more about the Health Check on our website today and lay the foundations for future-proof logistics!