Warehouse Systems Face Dual Threat From IT and OT Gaps
Warehouse operators face compounding risk from cyber incidents that exploit integration points between enterprise IT systems and operational technology networks, creating pathways for attackers to move from administrative platforms into facility control infrastructure and halt fulfillment operations across connected sites.
The operational vulnerability stems from architectural decisions made when warehouse management systems, robotics controllers, and conveyor networks were integrated with enterprise resource planning and customer data platforms. That connectivity delivered efficiency gains but created pathways for intruders to pivot from compromised email accounts or web applications into systems controlling physical material handling equipment, inventory automation, and shipping execution. According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, supply-chain breaches cost an average of $4.91 million, with 267 days required to fully resolve the incident.
Automation Creates Hidden Dependencies
Christina Hoefer, VP of OT and IoT Strategy at Forescout, said in written responses to The Supply Chainer that warehouse operators often lack complete visibility into the broader ecosystem of dependencies. "While warehouse operators may maintain inventories of core systems such as warehouse management systems, they often lack complete visibility into the broader ecosystem of dependencies. These can include enterprise applications that support order processing, networking infrastructure, gateways, and auxiliary systems such as uninterruptible power supplies. These supporting technologies frequently receive less security scrutiny despite being critical to operations. As a result, they can become entry points for attackers or create significant operational disruption if they fail."
The operational risk extends beyond primary systems. Many warehouse environments have been built incrementally over time, adding operational technology, IoT devices, warehouse management systems, networking equipment and supporting infrastructure that create complex and often poorly understood dependencies. When a single component in the logistics chain is disrupted, the impact can quickly cascade across operations.
Segmentation Limits Blast Radius
Daniel dos Santos, VP of Research at Forescout, told The Supply Chainer that strong network segmentation represents the control with the greatest potential to limit disruption. "Many logistics environments are designed for efficiency and centralized visibility, but excessive connectivity can allow an incident to spread beyond its initial point of compromise. Strong segmentation between corporate IT, warehouse operations, third-party integrations, and individual facilities can reduce the blast radius of an attack. Even if a central platform is affected, segmented facilities are more likely to continue operating independently while recovery efforts are underway."
Ilan Barda, CEO at Radiflow, as previously told to The Supply Chainer, identified two structural vulnerabilities in logistics centers. "The mixed IT/OT network enables lateral movement of the attacker from the IT network to the critical OT network. These facilities rely on extensive use of wireless networks providing an easy entry point for the attacker."
Continuity capabilities that allow organizations to continue shipping during a cyber incident include offline access to inventory and order data, local warehouse operating procedures and the ability to generate or recover shipping manifests and labels independently. Maintaining an accurate inventory and continuous visibility of connected assets and their communication patterns allows organizations to identify critical systems, understand operational dependencies, and apply segmentation policies that isolate disruptions before they spread.
