ORBCOMM systems still down
Trucking and fleet management solution provider ORBCOMM is not completely operational after a cyber-attack on September 6th, 2023.
Back to the old school
Truckers are back to using paper logs in order to track their hours, something many of them have never done regularly as a good portion of the trucking industry is younger drivers.
Imagine the revenue loss
One of the many things people always talk about is the cost. Not only is there a cost if you pay a ransom to get your data back, or your systems online, but imagine how much money a company loses daily because their systems are offline.
Don’t be the next victim of this. Using our DRaaS solution, you can spin up your servers in the cloud, point your firewall to them, and get back to work while your IT Department works on figuring out what happened.
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NEWS > Cyber-Attacks > Ransomware
By Kevin Wood
National trucking fleet management software goes offline
Trucking fleets across the country affected
Fleet management and transportation asset tracking firm, ORBCOMM, has recently revealed that their recent service disruptions stemmed from a ransomware assault, hindering trucking businesses from overseeing their operations.
Dedicated to offering freight businesses tools for efficient fleet supervision and shipment monitoring, ORBCOMM is renowned for their Electronic Logging Devices (ELD). These ELDs play an essential role for truck drivers, enabling them to register their operational hours in compliance with national safety norms.
Troubles for ORBCOMM began on September 6th when their clientele reported a sudden inability to monitor their shipments or utilize the company’s Blue Tree ELD systems. As a consequence, drivers had to rely on traditional paper-based logging.
Given the regulatory constraint that truck drivers can only utilize paper logs for a maximum of eight days within a 30-day window, there was an impending worry that truckers would find themselves at a standstill without a regulatory reprieve.
Despite initial silence from ORBCOMM regarding the root cause of the disruptions, they later indicated aspirations to reinstate full services by September 29th. A direct inquiry revealed that the company had been targeted by a ransomware invasion on September 6th, compromising their integral FleetManager application and the Blue Tree service suite.
Michelle Ferris, Vice President of Corporate Communications at ORBCOMM, detailed the incident: “On September 6, 2023, we confronted a ransomware incident that temporarily affected our FleetManager and BT service range. Recognizing the magnitude of the problem, we promptly engaged top-tier cybersecurity specialists to spearhead a comprehensive examination.”
Emphasizing the limited scope of the disruption, Ferris added, “It’s crucial to note that our other system functionalities and services are unaffected, with clients utilizing them routinely. We are actively liaising with the affected clientele and will ensure regular updates as our restoration efforts and in-depth inquiry progress.”
In light of the situation, the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) promptly granted a provisional authorization. This allows affected truck drivers to persist with paper-based logs, but not beyond September 29th.
The FMCSA stated, “For truckers reliant on the specified ELDs, they can revert to traditional paper charts or logging applications compliant with § 395.8. This interim measure is applicable until ORBCOMM communicates a resolution to FMCSA or up until September 29, 2023, contingent on whichever is earlier.”
Further investigations reveal that this service disruption has had significant repercussions, with some of the nation’s leading freight transporters being unable to supervise their fleet movements or cargo.
Currently, the identity of the ransomware group orchestrating this cyber assault remains a mystery. Due to the sensitive and active nature of the probe, ORBCOMM is withholding further details.
“For truckers reliant on the specified ELDs, they can revert to traditional paper charts or logging applications compliant with § 395.8. This interim measure is applicable until ORBCOMM communicates a resolution to FMCSA or up until September 29, 2023, contingent on whichever is earlier.”
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