Global cargo carrier: Active cyber threats neutralized. Gradion ran a full penetration test, identified all critical vulnerabilities, and secured systems before exploitation.
Snapshot
Client
Global cargo carrier
Industry
Logistics / Cargo / Cybersecurity
Geography
USA and major global ports
Size
Non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC); operates USA to major global port routes
Challenge
Active cyber threat response + penetration testing + vulnerability remediation
Services
Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, security hardening, incident mitigation
Duration
Ongoing
Team
Not specified
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Client Context
This client is a prominent non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) managing cargo shipping operations from the USA to major global ports. As an NVOCC, the business controls shipment logistics, booking systems, and payment records without owning the physical vessels making the integrity of its digital systems and order management infrastructure operationally critical. The client’s name is confidential. Contact us for a reference call.
The Challenge
At the time Gradion engaged, the carrier was experiencing active cyber threats across multiple attack surfaces. Threat actors had attempted to breach internal data and were actively probing the IT infrastructure for exploitation vectors. The most consequential risks identified were operational rather than merely technical. Attackers had identified pathways that would have allowed them to create fake shipment orders, mark those orders as paid without legitimate payment processing, and reroute physical shipments in transit. Any one of these scenarios would have resulted in direct financial loss, reputational damage with port counterparties, and potential regulatory exposure. Compounding the immediate threat, the infrastructure carried active ransomware exposure. A successful ransomware deployment would have been capable of taking down the carrier’s entire operational and IT infrastructure, affecting live shipments and halting operations. The engagement required immediate response under active threat conditions, not a routine scheduled security audit.
The Approach
Gradion conducted a full penetration test across the carrier’s IT infrastructure and business-critical systems, including the order management platform, payment processing layer, and shipment tracking systems. The penetration test was structured to simulate the specific attack vectors that posed the greatest operational risk: unauthorized order creation, payment status manipulation, and shipment data tampering. All critical vulnerabilities were identified during the assessment phase. Remediation followed immediately. All discovered vulnerabilities were patched, and the specific pathways enabling fake order creation, unauthorized payment marking, and shipment rerouting were closed. Active ransomware attack vectors threatening the infrastructure were identified and eliminated. The engagement concluded with a strengthened security posture across the carrier’s infrastructure and a foundation for long-term cybersecurity readiness.
The Results
Critical vulnerabilities identified and patched before any exploit was successfully executed Fake order creation vector closed pathway to create unauthorized shipment orders eliminated Unauthorized payment marking closed ability to mark orders as paid without legitimate processing removed Shipment rerouting vector closed in-transit shipment data tampering pathway eliminated Ransomware attack vectors eliminated active exposure to infrastructure-wide ransomware deployment removed Stronger cyber resilience established carrier operates with security-first infrastructure posture Foundation for long-term cybersecurity readiness vulnerabilities addressed systematically, not patched in isolation
Services & Technology
Services delivered
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability assessment
- Active threat incident response
- Security hardening
- Order and payment system security review
- Ransomware vector remediation
Technology stack
- Full-stack penetration testing methodology
- Order management system security assessment
- Payment processing security review
- IT infrastructure vulnerability scanning and exploitation testing
Engagement model
Security engagement, assessment and remediation
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