Securing the Supply Chain (Global)

The Tech Gap: Why Fleets are Falling Behind

The industry is hesitating at a time when speed and verification are increasingly critical. Fleets have access to technology that can track shipments in real-time and confirm who is operating their vehicles, yet adoption remains uneven. As a result, key vulnerabilities persist. Our data shows a fragmented security landscape, where some fleets are modernizing while others are not, creating clear opportunities for organized crime groups. This gap is not accidental. It reflects where theft activity is most likely to concentrate.

The Cost Barrier: Short Term Savings, Long Term Risk In a tight economic environment, delaying investment in security technology can feel financially responsible. In reality, it often increases risk. 37% of respondents cite the upfront cost of hardware and subscriptions as the biggest barrier to adoption. This hesitation is creating a security gap. While fleets weigh the cost of new technology, organized crime groups assess the value and vulnerability of the cargo itself. In the EMEA region, 22% of fleet managers report relying solely on insurance to manage losses. This reactive approach assumes theft will occur rather than prioritizing prevention. It also overlooks reputational damage and the loss of customer trust, costs that financial reimbursement cannot address. As insurance costs continue to rise, this strategy is increasingly unsustainable. The Adoption Divide The industry is increasingly split between fleets that are investing in modern security and those that are not. While 41% of fleets report using GPS tracking, only 23% have adopted camera or video solutions. This gap creates blind spots that are easy to exploit. GPS alone can show the location of the vehicle, but cannot confirm identity of the operator or elaborate on the environment. Integration Complexity Integration complexity often slows large fleets as new safety technologies must work with legacy systems. A unified approach built on open API architecture allows tools such as smart locks, cameras, and sensors to connect in a single dashboard. OEM pre- installations also reduce rollout friction by using factory-installed hardware instead of retrofits. The telematics unit then acts as a central IoT hub, connecting devices and turning multiple data streams into a single operational view. Driver Acceptance and Privacy Driver acceptance remains a barrier to video adoption due to privacy concerns. Fleets can address this by positioning cameras as a tool for driver protection. Event-based recording captures footage only during safety triggers such as collisions or harsh braking rather than constant monitoring. In-cab alerts provide real-time feedback so drivers can correct behaviour immediately. AI privacy redaction can also blur faces or bystanders before footage uploads, protecting identities while preserving evidence for liability disputes.

Securing the Supply Chain