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If you thought the weakest link in the global logistics chain was a flat tyre or a missed cargo scan, think again. According to a new report from password management firm NordPass—produced in collaboration with cybersecurity partner NordStellar—the real threat to supply chains isn’t on the road… it’s online.

The industry that shifts freight across continents and gets your online shopping to the front door in record time is apparently guarding its digital gateways with passwords that wouldn’t fool a curious toddler, let alone a seasoned hacker.

Among the more “sophisticated” entries in the sector’s digital defence arsenal? Brace yourself: “123456”, “password”, “111111”, and—if you’re feeling particularly inspired—“123456789”. These were among the top 20 most common passwords unearthed by NordPass in its latest research, which focused squarely on the transportation and logistics industry.

To quote Karolis Arbaciauskas, Head of Business Product at NordPass, “Hackers don’t need to hijack a truck when they can hijack an account with ‘123456’ as the password.”

And he’s not wrong.

Fast Trucks, Sluggish Cybersecurity

The transportation and logistics industry is the unsung hero of modern commerce, deftly managing everything from warehouse dashboards to last-mile deliveries. However, while the sector invests heavily in fleet upgrades, warehouse automation, and real-time tracking, the cybersecurity basics remain neutral.

According to NordPass, the industry’s digital vulnerabilities stem not from complex exploits or sophisticated attacks—but from plain old bad habits. The research highlighted a widespread reliance on easy-to-guess passwords, many of which were brand-related (like “Ryder@2024”), personal (“Renuka@123”), or simply mind-numbingly obvious (“1234”).

These passwords reportedly protected everything from internal employee portals and driver apps to shipment tracking systems and third-party vendor platforms. In other words, the systems that form the digital backbone of global logistics are being protected with the digital equivalent of a rusty padlock.

The Top 20 Offenders

Here’s a sample from the NordPass wall of shame—the 20 most commonly used passwords in logistics:

  • 123456

  • password

  • 12345678

  • Ryder@2024

  • 123456789

  • piloto

  • 111111

  • Cbd@ryder#2023

  • dell

  • qwerty

  • T25$TARGET2025

  • vish

  • fine

  • bilal

  • Natlada31526

  • Renuka@123

  • Chuky2022

  • 975357426Pos

  • 12345

  • 1234

If you spotted your company’s password on that list, perhaps now’s the time to panic—just a little.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

Cybercriminals have long recognised the logistics industry as a soft target. In the last few years alone, freight giants have been paralysed by ransomware, phishing attacks have taken down entire driver scheduling systems, and sensitive cargo manifests have been leaked due to sloppy password practices.

With global supply chains recovering from pandemic-era disruptions, warzone diversions, and fuel price spikes, the sector’s last need is a data breach that delays shipments, leaks sensitive delivery routes, or—heaven forbid—compromises client information.

“Cybersecurity in logistics should match the industry’s obsession with timing and precision,” Arbaciauskas urges. “Fixing poor password practices is a quick, cost-effective way to prevent costly breaches and operational downtime.”

Password Tips from the Pros

NordPass didn’t just wag a finger—they also offered clear advice for companies wanting to clean up their act:

🛑 Ditch obvious patterns and brand names: Passwords like “Ryder@2024” or job titles like “piloto” ask for trouble.

👩‍🏫 Train all staff, not just IT: Warehouse workers and drivers often access sensitive systems. Cybersecurity is a team sport.

🔐 Use a password manager: These make generating and storing strong, unique passwords easy, without relying on Post-it notes stuck under keyboards.

🛡️ Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Even if a weak password gets cracked, MFA can stop unauthorised access dead in its tracks.

The Bottom Line: No Room for Digital Complacency

In an industry where minutes matter, and precision is everything, it’s baffling that cybersecurity is still treated as an afterthought. If your password looks like it was scribbled down during a coffee break in 2007, it’s time for an upgrade.

Because here’s the truth: a truckload of cargo worth millions can be compromised with a single, sloppy six-character password. That’s not just a cyber risk—it’s a business liability.

The fix? Stronger passwords, better habits, and a bit of good old-fashioned common sense.

Because when it comes to digital security in logistics, slow and steady doesn’t win the race—it gets hacked.

By Anne Keam

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