Estes: Many Core IT Systems Operational Again After Attack
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Estes Express Lines on Oct. 6 said a large share of its core IT infrastructure systems were “once again operational” following a cyberattack earlier in the week.
Richmond, Va.-based less-than-truckload carrier Estes said additional security measures had been implemented and, as a result, many of its systems were up and running again.
“Despite the impact [the attack] has had on Estes’ system, there has not been a moment when we were unable to move freight or support our employees’ livelihood,” the company said in an Oct. 6 statement. “We remain Estes Strong, open for business and effectively moving freight.”
On Oct. 3, Estes confirmed its IT systems were the target of an ongoing cyberattack.
At the time, the company said terminals and drivers were still picking up and delivering freight while the IT infrastructure was out of action.
The attack on the LTL specialist first came to light in an Oct. 2 message on X (formerly Twitter) in which the company said: “We are currently experiencing an outage in our core IT infrastructure and it is impacting a number of our systems.” It added, “Please reach out to your account manager, preferably by text, with any questions or concerns, including pickups.”
By Oct. 4, the company was using a form available through a link on X to connect with customers on pickup requests and questions about their freight.
Customers can contact us for pickup requests and questions about their freight through the form available here: https://t.co/3KULGeWH9X — estesexpress (@estesexpress) October 4, 2023
Estes ranks No. 14 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America. It ranks No. 5 on the LTL sector list.
Estes had 9,694 company-owned tractors and 37,032 trailers as of the end of 2022, according to TT data. The carrier has in excess of 280 freight terminals.
Estes is the stalking horse bidder for the 169 terminals previously operated by bankrupt LTL carrier Yellow Corp.
Other carriers that came under attack over the past few years include Forward Air Corp. in December 2020 and Bay & Bay in December 2022 and in 2018. Greeneville, Tenn.-based Forward Air ranks No. 27 on the TT Top 100 for-hire list and No. 1 among air/expedited carriers.
Trucking companies are targeted by cybercriminals, according to security consultants Alliance Tech, because the sector generates large revenue.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
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