The Role of 3PLs in Reducing Supply Chain Cybersecurity Risks

Cybersecurity is now the top operating concern for supply chain leaders and C-suite executives, according to our Insight 2030 report. Respondents ranked it ahead of traditional challenges like demand volatility, labor constraints and technology gaps. And, leaders expect it to remain the most impactful external threat through 2030.

The concern is well founded. Today’s digitally integrated supply chains are deeply embedded in the businesses they serve, making them prime targets for cyberattacks capable of disrupting entire enterprise networks. The financial consequences are significant.  According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a breach in 2025 was $4.4 million—with the recovery cost of ransomware attacks exceeding $5 million.

At the same time, the supply chain has become a prime target for malicious actors. According to Everstream Analytics, attacks targeting logistics systems increased 965% between 2021 and 2025.

With the financial motivation created by ransomware and the increasing availability of open-source tools, malicious actors are more persistent and sophisticated than ever. With the help of AI, they can now move faster and operate at a scale that wasn't previously possible.

For many organizations, this shift raises an important question: what should supply chain partners be able to deliver when it comes to security?

The role of 3PLs in supply chain security

Third-party logistics providers play a central role in securing supply chain systems, as they can either introduce vulnerabilities or strengthen an organization’s disciplined, layered defense. At DHL Supply Chain, our deep logistics expertise and advanced operational practices uniquely position us to help businesses elevate their security efforts—offering robust processes, technology-enabled safeguards and compliance-driven operations that reduce risk across the network.

Here are some of the security capabilities businesses should expect from their providers and how we support those capabilities:

1. Third-party validation

Cybersecurity is not a "take my word on it" capability. It is a very complex and technical set of systems, processes and skills that necessitate a certain level of secrecy in exactly how it is executed. The more information hackers can acquire about a company's security systems and practices, the more vulnerable those systems become.

That makes objective, third-party certifications like ISO 27001 particularly valuable. This international benchmark for information security management establishes rigorous requirements for identifying, assessing, and mitigating information security risks and requires independent verification through regular audits. Our full-featured Information Security Management System is built to comply with this standard with annual independent audits to verify continued compliance.

Another valuable tool is a company’s Bitsight Security Rating. Bitsight scores offer a clear view of an organization’s cybersecurity posture. Partners with significantly lower ratings can introduce risk. We maintain a Bitsight Score well above the industry average while supporting some of the world’s most complex, highly regulated supply chains, reflecting the rigor required to protect high-stakes customer operations.

2. Monitoring and response capability

Malicious actors continuously evolve their tactics, probing for new vulnerabilities and adapting to the defenses they encounter. That means continuous monitoring is required to not only defend attacks in progress, but also to build the intelligence needed to stay ahead of emerging threats. Our Cyber Defense Center delivers continuous threat monitoring, DDoS detection and mitigation, malware analysis, host and network forensics, and structured incident response and recovery. Our team of more than 300 dedicated cybersecurity professionals are plugged into the global security community and include a “Red Team” focused on devising simulated attacks on our own network to strengthen our defenses.

3. Supplier management

Third-party logistics providers play an important role in advancing supply chain digitalization, as well as implementing and managing advanced warehouse, labor and transportation management systems. As a result, it’s incumbent on the 3PL to ensure the software they employ to enable productivity, efficiency and visibility adheres to the highest security standards.

We maintain a robust supplier management program to ensure every system deployed is secure by design. That means sourcing software from vendors with proven security track records and embedding security requirements into every supplier contract. The program is complemented by a disciplined approach to patch management that encompasses everything from enterprise-level management systems to the tablets and scanners used on the warehouse floor.

4. Responsible data handling

Responsible data handling begins with collecting only the data necessary to deliver the service and extends through safe storage and controlled access. Our data practices ensure legal compliance by protecting data confidentiality, integrity and availability as verified through both internal audits and independent third-party assessments.

5. Workforce training

The escalation in phishing and social engineering attacks makes every person working in the supply chain a potential target for malicious actors. This makes security training essential. We mandate cybersecurity training for IT personnel at onboarding and conduct regular training for everyone from senior executives to frontline associates on emerging threats and how to recognize suspicious emails and messages. We also conduct simulated phishing exercises to identify associates who may need additional support, and our Cyber Defense Center has demonstrated the ability to quickly identify and isolate compromised systems.

6. Maintaining vigilance through continuous improvement

The most resilient organizations don't just respond to threats; they systematically improve their ability to anticipate and prevent them. We employ the same commitment to continuous improvement that is a hallmark of our operations to our security program. For example, we’re now matching hackers’ use of AI by employing our own AI systems to improve our ability to detect and defend against attacks.

No security framework can guarantee immunity from a breach. The malicious actors targeting supply chains today are too numerous, resourceful and persistent. A rigorous, layered approach to cybersecurity can reduce the likelihood of a successful attack, limit the damage if one occurs, and compress the time it takes to contain and recover.

Bringing in a 3PL with robust security capabilities ensures you have a partner that matches your commitment to security and can work alongside your security team to proactively defend your network and your business.

Read more about the future of the supply chain in DHL Supply Chain’s Insight 2030 report.

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