In our first article, we delved into the critical importance of Identity and Access Management (IAM) for the freight industry, introduced by Highway's pioneering Carrier Identity concept. As the digital landscape evolves and the threat of identity-based attacks rises, the need for robust IAM systems becomes more apparent. In this second part of our series, we explore practical steps to implement effective IAM solutions, enhancing security and operational efficiency for freight brokers and carriers alike.
If you have any questions about how your organization can mitigate the risk of fraud with Highway’s Identity and Access Management solution, we’re here to help. Contact the Highway team to schedule a brief conversation.
Key Strategies for Implementing IAM
In the trucking and transportation space, stopping the increasing fraud and theft problems is the primary reason organizations look for IAM solutions.
For brokerages to continue to grow their business in the face of the fraud onslaught, they will need a comprehensive identity and access management solution to provide dynamic security for their business transactions, from carrier vetting and onboarding to equipment monitoring and load-level compliance.
Here's how to get started:
1. Assess Current Security and Identity Protocols
Start with a thorough assessment of existing security measures and identity management practices. Identify any vulnerabilities or gaps in your current system, such as weak password policies, lack of multi-factor authentication, or inadequate carrier vetting processes.
2. Define IAM Goals and Objectives
Set clear goals for what you want to achieve with your IAM implementation. Objectives might include improving the security of digital transactions, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, enhancing operational efficiency, or reducing fraud risks.
3. Select Appropriate IAM Tools and Solutions
Choose IAM solutions that best fit your organizational needs. This could include software that supports:
- Single Sign-On (SSO) to simplify the login process and reduce password fatigue.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for enhanced access security.
- Role-Based Access Control to ensure users have access only to the resources necessary for their roles.
- Automated Carrier Vetting tools to streamline the onboarding process while ensuring thorough background checks.
4. Implement Access Controls
Develop and implement policies that define who can access what information and under what circumstances. This includes setting up detailed user roles and permissions. Ensure that access controls are granular enough to provide flexibility yet stringent enough to safeguard sensitive data.
5. Deploy and Integrate IAM Solutions
Deploy the chosen IAM solutions within your IT infrastructure. Ensure integration with existing systems such as Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, load boards, and other operational tools to allow for seamless workflows.
6. Monitor and Audit
Regularly monitor IAM tools and the activities they log to ensure compliance and to detect any unusual or unauthorized activities early. Implement auditing procedures to review access logs and verify the effectiveness of your IAM policies.
7. Train and Educate Staff
Educate your employees, carriers, and other stakeholders about the importance of IAM, how to use the new systems, and best practices for maintaining security. Ongoing training helps in adapting to new tools and mitigating human error, which is a common security vulnerability.
Common Challenges and Solutions
In a perfect world, the implementation of an IAM solution would always go smoothly, always achieve 100% adoption, and never need any tweaks or refinement. We don’t live in that perfect world, unfortunately. Common implementation challenges include:
- Resistance to change: The trucking and transportation industry has long relied on legacy tools and technological solutions. However, modern realities have rendered those tools and solutions obsolete. To overcome this resistance to change, it’s important to communicate the need for change and facilitate relatively seamless implementations.
- Technical difficulties: While some implementations reach completion without significant technical difficulties, some implementations require troubleshooting. This is another area where your vendor selection becomes important. It’s always best to find a vendor that’s committed to your success and that can help you overcome technical issues — no matter your in-house capabilities.
- Training: Training is where you make or break user adoption. Training should highlight the importance of IAM to your organization and emphasize how it works within existing processes and workflows to make things easier for your end users. Effective training drives higher adoption rates and greater ROI.
The best way to mitigate all challenges is to choose the right solution from the right vendor. The right solution will be easy to implement and even easier to use for your team members. And the right vendor will be a true partner who walks alongside you both pre- and post-implementation. As you’re looking for the right IAM solution for your business, probe potential vendors about ease of implementation and post-implementation support levels.
Freight Brokers Using Highway for IAM
Success Stories Snapshot
Discover the transformation in operations that brokers have experienced by integrating Highway’s IAM solutions — resulting in enhanced security, increased efficiency, and dramatic reductions in fraud.
- Edge Logistics: Enhanced Digital Bidding — Boosted digital transactions with a 40% increase in bids through Edge Capacity within the first 90 days of using Highway.
- GIX Logistics: Rapid Carrier Onboarding — Onboarded more than 5,000 carriers in a few months, completely eliminating double brokering.
- Taylor Logistics: Dramatic Fraud Reduction — Cut fraud incidents by 92%. Read their success story here.
Discover How Identity and Access Management Can Safeguard Your Brokerage
Success in IAM implementations is highly dependent on the solution and vendor you choose. At Highway, we offer the leading Carrier Identity solution for trucking and transportation companies, one that is already integrated into many of the leading platforms that power our industry. We serve as a true partner to our clients, investing in their success both pre- and post-implementation.
Fraud and theft are serious issues across our industry. Let's talk if you’re looking for a solution that’s both easy to implement and highly effective. Schedule a brief consultation to learn more about Highway and what it can do for your business.
