Freight forwarders weigh security as they choose tech platforms

Freight forwarders are looking beyond software features and pricing as they evaluate technology platforms, putting AI, automation, integrations and security under the microscope. The shift matters because these systems now hold shipment records, financial data and customer information that can disrupt operations if compromised.

Why it matters: - Freight platforms now sit at the center of daily operations, so a weak technology choice can affect shipments, billing, customer trust and business continuity. - Security is no longer just an IT issue. It is part of the platform decision because the system can hold years of operational history, financial transactions and sensitive commercial data. - As freight operations become more digital, the technology provider becomes part of the forwarder’s risk chain.

What happened: - Freight forwarders are expanding how they evaluate technology platforms. - Buyers are no longer focused only on features, pricing, implementation timelines and basic system capability. - The evaluation now includes automation, integrations, cloud access, AI capabilities, customer portals, ecosystem connectivity and readiness for digital freight operations. - Softlink Global said the shift is changing the questions forwarders should ask before choosing a platform.

The details: - Modern freight platforms can store shipment records, customer information, commercial documents, freight rates, customs data, financial transactions, invoices, credit exposure, approvals and operational history. - These platforms also connect employees, customers, overseas agents, carriers, customs partners, banks, finance teams and external systems across multiple locations. - A cyber incident in freight can delay documentation, expose commercial information, interrupt billing and damage customer confidence. - Temporary loss of access can strain operations, finance and customer service at the same time when hundreds or thousands of shipments move through a platform each day. - Forwarders are being pushed to ask how data is stored and encrypted, how user access is governed, whether multi-factor authentication is supported and how vulnerabilities and updates are handled. - Other key questions include how APIs and third-party integrations are protected, who can access customer data and under what controls, and whether AI tools use customer data to train models. - Forwarders also need to know whether their data is retained, reused, shared with external model providers or isolated from other customers. - The technology provider’s responsibilities now include protecting access, limiting exposure, managing integrations, maintaining recovery capability and explaining how customer data is handled. - Security remains a shared responsibility, and forwarders still need strong internal discipline around passwords, permissions, employee awareness, access reviews and user behavior. - Amit Maheshwari, founder and CEO of Softlink Global, said selecting a technology platform means entrusting shipment history, customer information, financial data and commercial intelligence to the provider. - Maheshwari said protecting that information is one of the basic responsibilities of the technology partner.

Between the lines: - The freight-tech market is moving from a software-buying mindset to a risk-management mindset. - AI and cloud tools may improve productivity, but they also raise questions about data handling, model training and cross-customer exposure. - The platform decision now blends operational efficiency with governance, resilience and trust.

What's next: - Freight forwarders are likely to put more weight on security controls, access governance, backup and recovery plans and integration safeguards during vendor reviews. - Technology providers will face more scrutiny on how they protect data, manage subcontractor access and respond when systems fail. - Forwarders will need clearer answers on how AI features use operational data before they adopt them widely.

The bottom line: - In freight forwarding, the platform is no longer just software. It is a control point for data, operations and risk.