Written By: Transport Security, Inc.
Cargo theft is surging to unprecedented levels, costing the transportation industry hundreds of millions annually and demanding a stronger, more layered defense. This article outlines the “transportation security stack” – a proven, multi-layered approach that begins with physical security and builds on it with technology, trained personnel, and operational discipline to protect assets and maintain trust.
In 2025, the transportation and logistics industry is confronting a level of cargo theft unlike anything seen in recent years. According to CargoNet, reported losses in 2024 exceeded $454 million—highlighting just how widespread and costly this threat has become. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for a robust security strategy that addresses both traditional and emerging threats across the supply chain.
At the core of such a strategy lies the transportation security stack, a multi-layered approach that integrates physical security, technology, people-based measures, and operational protocols. While each layer is vital, physical security, particularly high-grade locks, serves as the foundational bedrock, deterring opportunistic thieves who account for the majority of cargo theft incidents. This article explores the critical role of each layer, with a focus on why physical security remains the essential starting point for protecting assets, ensuring supply chain integrity, and maintaining customer trust.
Physical security includes a variety of devices built to protect transportation assets such as locks for trailer doors, king pins, air cuffs, landing gear, and containers from tampering and theft. These rugged, field-tested tools are engineered to withstand tampering and serve as a visible deterrent to potential thieves. Most cargo thefts are crimes of opportunity, targeting unsecured trailers in high-risk areas such as truck stops, parking lots, or drop yards. By making unauthorized access time-consuming and difficult, high-grade locks significantly reduce the likelihood of theft.
Trailers with little to no security deterrents are easier and likely targets. For example, a trucking company reported a 89% reduction in theft incidents after equipping their fleet with advanced physical locks, saving millions of dollars annually in potential losses. This success highlights the tangible benefits of prioritizing physical security. Investing in high-security locks helps prevent financial losses, protects your reputation, and reduces the risk of higher insurance premiums from repeated theft claims.
“We see it every day. Trailers without visible security deterrents are prime targets,” says Brian Falk, CEO of Transport Security. “Physical locks are your first and strongest line of defense. When fleets add durable, tamper-resistant locks, they don’t just deter theft, they see real results.” By starting with a strong physical foundation, companies can build a security stack that withstands the pressures of an increasingly challenging environment.
While physical locks provide the initial barrier, technology enhances security by offering visibility and control over assets. Modern systems include real-time GPS tracking, temperature and door sensors, geofencing alerts, route risk planning, carrier vetting tools, digital verification, and cybersecurity protections for fleet data. These tools enable proactive decision-making and rapid response to potential threats. For example, geofencing can notify managers if a trailer deviates from its planned route, allowing for immediate intervention.
“Technology has become essential for supply chain security.” says Orlando Candelaria, SVP of Business Development at System Loco. “Your supply chain solution is only as strong as its weakest link, and that’s why layered security must be built on real-time, reliable, and contextual data from smart devices. Real-time data, predictive risk intelligence, and condition monitoring allow teams to act before issues escalate, turning passive tracking into proactive control.”
These tools are especially effective in combating strategic theft, sophisticated, premeditated crimes that exploit blind spots in shipment visibility or exploit gaps in procedures. By integrating technology that delivers real-time intelligence and ensures constant monitoring, fleets can detect anomalies early and prevent well-orchestrated theft attempts before they unfold.
Carrier vetting platforms play a critical role in stopping fraud before the freight even moves. These tools verify that carriers are legitimate, insured, and trustworthy, helping prevent cargo theft schemes like fictitious pickups or identity spoofing.
“Vetting thoroughly isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Hoping it doesn't happen to you isn't a strategy,” says Andrey Drotenko, President of Strategic Relations at Verified Carrier. “The criminals are more sophisticated than ever, so using every tool at your disposal to truly figure out who you're working with before giving them any freight is crucial. Vetting does that on the front end, and then protection can be layered up downstream with other methods of securing the freight.”
Cybersecurity is equally critical, as digital vulnerabilities can compromise logistics operations and expose sensitive shipment data. Securing fleet systems and communications ensures that the technology layer reinforces, rather than undermines, the physical layer. Together, these technologies form a dynamic defense that strengthens overall cargo security.
No security stack is complete without well-trained and thoroughly vetted personnel. Background checks, driver verification protocols, cargo escorts, and incident response training are essential to minimize losses tied to human error and to ensure swift, competent responses to threats.
A strong security culture fosters vigilance, accountability, and consistent adherence to protocols—key factors in reducing insider risk, which continues to be a major enabler of cargo theft. Many fleets rely on dedicated in-house security teams or experienced third-party partners with backgrounds in law enforcement or military operations to strengthen their defense. The collective expertise and judgment of these professionals add a critical, real-time layer of protection that no technology alone can replace.
“Cargo escorts are actual humans watching the load, not just tracking dots on a screen,” says Nick Erdmann, Director of Business Development at Vectura Risk Management. “They’re trained to spot tailing, suspicious behavior, and environmental red flags and act on it instantly. That kind of situational awareness simply isn’t possible with electronic monitoring alone.”
The transportation and logistics industry is unique in its willingness to collaborate for the greater good. Security professionals, carriers, shippers, and associations routinely share intelligence, incident reports, and best practices, not to compete, but to protect the supply chain as a whole. By engaging with organizations like the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), American Trucking Associations (ATA), Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), Transportation Intermediary Association (TIA), and CargoNet, companies gain access to a collective defense that amplifies their own efforts.
“Strong internal policies are foundational, but they must be reinforced by external collaboration to be truly effective,” says Sal Marino, Vice President at CargoNet. “Partnerships with organizations like CargoNet offer real-time insights and a collective defense that strengthens every link in the supply chain.”
A documented security policy is critical to operational success. It should outline procedures for high-risk scenarios, driver responsibilities, safe parking requirements, communication protocols, and incident response. Training teams on these protocols ensures consistency and preparedness at every level of the organization.
Regular risk assessments, internal audits, and strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) keep security programs responsive and effective. Policies such as avoiding stops in red zones, limiting overnight layovers, and requiring the use of verified secure parking further reduce exposure to theft and cargo loss.
Operational discipline, supported by both internal structure and external partnerships, forms a resilient, adaptive layer of defense in today’s high-risk environment.
The transportation security stack is a multi-layered defense system that begins with physical security and builds upon it with technology, people-based measures, and operational protocols. As cargo theft continues to escalate, companies must prioritize a comprehensive approach to protect their assets and maintain customer trust. Physical locks, such as those offered by Transport Security, Inc., provide a cost-effective and reliable foundation, deterring thieves and enabling other security layers to function effectively.
A single security lapse can trigger major disruption, financial loss, and reputational damage. That’s why layered, proactive protection isn’t optional—it’s essential. Companies that invest in smart, preventive measures are better positioned to stay ahead of threats and avoid costly consequences.
Stronger Together: When physical security, tech, people, and process work in sync, you stay one step ahead of cargo theft.
For best-in-class physical security, visit TransportSecurity.com/roi and see the numbers for yourself – plug your fleet size and current loss data into their interactive ROI Calculator and instantly project a 10-year payback.
