Logistics Hall of Fame Survey: Cybercrime Remains Logistics Industry’s Greatest Risk
According to the latest survey conducted by the Logistics Hall of Fame in cooperation with SCHUNCK GROUP, cyber incidents have reached 100 percent in the risk ranking for the first time, while supply chain disruptions have declined significantly from their peak in the spring. Cybercrime also remains the greatest threat to companies themselves, followed by the shortage of skilled workers and market changes.
Above all, the industry is calling on the German federal government to speed up approval processes.
Ismaning, October 5, 2026. Cybercrime is the dominant risk facing the logistics industry. In the latest Trend Survey conducted by the Logistics Hall of Fame in cooperation with SCHUNCK GROUP twice a year, all respondents (100 percent) identified cybercrime and cyber incidents as one of the three biggest threats to the global logistics industry. In April 2026, the figure was 75.9 percent, compared with 75 percent in May 2025. Concern about cyberattacks has therefore reached its highest level since the survey series began.
Political risks rank second at 48.1 percent, followed by the shortage of skilled workers at 40.7 percent. Both have declined in importance since the April survey: political risks were cited by 65.5 percent of respondents in the previous survey, while the shortage of skilled workers was named by 51.7 percent. Compared with the previous year’s survey, the decline in concern over the shortage of skilled workers is even more pronounced, falling by more than 34 percentage points from 75 percent. Political risks, by contrast, remain above the 2025 level of 43.75 percent.
Supply chain disruptions have lost significant ground. After being cited by 34.5 percent of respondents in April, they were mentioned by just 14.8 percent this time, roughly the same level as in May 2025 (12.5 percent). Macroeconomic changes declined from 20.7 to 11.1 percent. Market changes (29.6 percent) and regulatory changes (22.2 percent) increased compared with 2025 (25 percent and 12.5 percent, respectively). Business interruptions, natural disasters, and theft, fraud and corruption each followed at 7.4 percent. No respondents cited a pandemic outbreak or product recalls.
“The fact that every respondent identified cybercrime as one of the greatest risks is a clear signal. Cyberattacks can hit companies of any size and in any industry. They cannot be monitored on the horizon like a crisis in the Middle East or a tariff decision; they can occur at any time, immediately and without warning,” says Thomas Wicke, Managing Director of SCHUNCK GROUP. “Companies that do not continuously review their IT security, emergency response processes and employees are taking an extreme risk—one that definitely cannot simply be waited out,” he emphasizes.
Within Their Own Companies: Market Changes Move Up the Ranking
When asked about their own companies, 70.4 percent of respondents identified cybercrime as the greatest threat, virtually unchanged from 2025 (70.6 percent). It was followed by the shortage of skilled workers (48.1 percent), market changes (44.4 percent), and political risks (40.7 percent). The increase in concern over market changes is particularly notable: the figure has nearly doubled from 23.5 percent in May 2025. By contrast, the shortage of skilled workers is well below the 58.8 percent recorded at that time. Legal and regulatory changes accounted for 14.8 percent, while business interruptions and macroeconomic changes each accounted for 11.1 percent. Competition resulting from fraudulent business practices was cited as an additional risk.
Respondents rated the overall risk situation for the logistics industry at an average of 5.85 on a scale from one (barely noticeable) to ten (threatening the existence of the business). A rating of seven was the most frequently selected response (25.9 percent). Just under half of respondents (48.1 percent) gave a rating of seven or higher; no one selected the highest rating.
“The mood is tense, but there is no sense of panic. The industry views the situation seriously but still sees light at the end of the tunnel,” says Wicke. In his view, it is noteworthy that survey participants are placing greater emphasis on their own market environment. “This shows that companies need to take targeted steps to protect their customer relationships and competitive positions—while continuing to invest in security and personnel,” he adds.
Investments in IT Security and Personnel Take Center Stage
When asked about specific countermeasures, respondents most frequently cited investments in IT and cybersecurity, as well as employee training and awareness programs. Other measures mentioned several times included efforts to recruit and retain employees, including recruiting from non-EU countries, vocational training and employee development. Other approaches include partnerships, standardized supplier risk assessments, backup systems, physical security and video surveillance, insurance coverage, and strengthening equity capital.
Simplified Approval Processes Top the Industry’s Policy Priorities
Above all, respondents want the German federal government to simplify and accelerate approval processes (55.6 percent). In May 2025, this figure was still 68.8 percent. This was followed by measures to address the shortage of skilled workers, including education, skilled immigration and qualification programs (44.4 percent; 2025: 43.8 percent), as well as investments in digital infrastructure and resilience programs (40.7 percent). Some 37.0 percent called for greater support for small and medium-sized logistics companies. Better legal frameworks for cybersecurity and data protection, funding programs to reduce risks, and stronger supply chain protection through trade agreements were each cited by 25.9 percent of respondents. Additional responses included reducing bureaucracy, investing in infrastructure and lowering energy prices.
The survey, conducted several times a year, is not intended to provide a representative picture of sentiment. However, it reflects the current views of a selected C-level panel drawn from the networks of the Logistics Hall of Fame and SCHUNCK GROUP. The latest survey included executives from freight forwarding, transportation and contract logistics companies. Of the respondents, 40.7 percent work for companies with more than 1,000 employees, while 33.3 percent work for companies with annual revenues of more than €500 million.
Background Logistics Hall of Fame: The Logistics Hall of Fame honors international personalities who have made an outstanding contribution to the further development of logistics and supply chain management. The goal of the Logistics Hall of Fame is to serve as a global platform for documenting the milestones of logistics and honoring its movers and shakers, thus underscoring the importance of logistics for business and society. The Logistics Hall of Fame also presents the Logistics Leader of the Year Award to current pacesetters in logistics. In addition, the Logistics Hall of Fame recognizes innovative logistics projects by humanitarian organizations with the Lynn C. Fritz Medal for Excellence in Humanitarian Logistics. The sponsor is the Fritz Institute. The non-profit initiative is supported by politics, associations, media, business and science. Steffen Bilger, Federal Minister for Transport, is the patron.
Circle of Supporters: 24/7 ASSISTANCE, ADAC Service GmbH, AEB, BLG LOGISTICS, Bundesverband für Eigenlogistik & Verlader (BWVL), Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr Logistik und Entsorgung (BGL), Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik (BME), Bundesverband Paket und Expresslogistik (BPEX), Bundesverband Spedition und Logistik (DSLV), Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL), Deutsches Verkehrsforum (DVF), Duisburger Hafen (duisport), EPAL, European Logistics Association (ELA), Exotec, Fritz Institute (Stifter), GARBE Industrial, Gebrüder Weiss, Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK), HERMES LOGISTIK.Forum, impact media projects, International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), International Road Transport Union (IRU), Interroll, io, Lebensmittel Zeitung, LIP Invest, LTG - Landauer Transportgesellschaft Doll, materialfluss, Nagel-Group, NIMMSTA, Nomagic, Renault Trucks, Schnellecke Logistics, SCHÖNENBERGER Systeme, SCHUNCK GROUP, Seifert Logistics Group, Spedition Hamprecht, SSI Schäfer, STILL, TGW Logistics Group, TMG Consultants, trans aktuell, Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA), Wenco, WILTSCHE Fördersysteme, Winner Spedition
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