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Interface security risk: Cargoclix Digitalisation Monitor Highlights Gaps in Digitalisation and Data Protection within the Logistics Sector

• Although the sector recognises the need for digital processes, progress continues to stall: 56.8 per cent of logistics companies rate their level of digitalisation as average at best. This is shown by the second survey of the Cargoclix Digitalisation Monitor.
• The latest survey highlights interface problems and new risks: inadequate connections to partners are hampering day-to-day operations, whilst IT security and data protection are only slowly coming into focus.

Freiburg im Breisgau, 18 August 2026. Digitalisation in the logistics sector remains largely at a moderate level and is struggling with structural hurdles at the interfaces with external partners. This is the key finding of the second survey by the Cargoclix Digitalisation Monitor, which was conducted in July 2026 amongst logistics managers.

Following the initial survey in spring 2026, the new survey paints a sobering picture: despite high investment intentions, interface problems, complex legacy systems and a lack of staff resources are holding back progress. The current focus of the survey also reveals a significant need to catch up in terms of IT security and data protection within digital logistics networks.

Level of Digitalisation Stagnates at a Moderate Level

As was the case in the first survey in February, the majority of companies rate their own level of digitalisation as average at best. 56.8 per cent of respondents rate their status in the middle range (grade 3) on a scale of 1 to 5 (February: 58.2 per cent). Currently, only around 21.6 per cent of companies report a high or very high level of digitalisation. This represents a slight decline from the 25.5 per cent recorded in the first survey.

“We are seeing a persistent stagnation at a medium level,” says Professor Victor Meier, advisory partner at Cargoclix, analysing the figures. “Whilst many logistics companies have digitised isolated solutions, they are failing to make the breakthrough to a seamless, automated process chain. The transformation is simply not taking hold across the board,” he says, describing the current situation. 

Particularly significant digital gaps continue to be evident in operational areas such as transport planning and dispatching, as well as in warehouse processes. Whilst invoicing and commercial processes are comparatively well digitised, many companies still rely on inadequate or manual tools for transport planning.

Main Obstacles to Progress: Interfaces and Partners’ Lack of Digital Maturity

There has been a marked shift in the obstacles compared with the spring. Whilst in February, internal staff shortages (58.2 per cent) were still cited as the biggest stumbling block, the low digital maturity of partners (freight forwarders, suppliers) now tops the list of challenges at 51.4 per cent.

Close behind are a lack of internal resources (45.9 per cent), a lack of standards and interfaces (43.2 per cent) and complex legacy systems (35.1 per cent).

“Logistics is a collaborative business. A digital chain is only ever as strong as its weakest link,” emphasises Meier. “If freight forwarders or suppliers cannot transmit data digitally and in a standardised format, this results in massive data discontinuities for the shipper. This causes delays and forces companies to carry out manual rework. The lack of interoperability is currently a major obstacle to further digitalisation,” he makes clear. 

Companies feel the impact of this clearly in their day-to-day operations: over 75 per cent of firms stated that analogue or non-integrated processes have a moderate to significant impact on their daily operations.

Paper Usage is Falling Slightly, but The Road to a Paperless Office Remains Long

Nevertheless, there is a slight positive trend towards paperless working. Whilst in February the proportion of paperless processes was below 40 per cent in almost half of the organisations, 40.5 per cent of respondents in the latest survey report a paperless share of between 41 and 60 per cent. However, the proportion of companies operating almost entirely paperlessly (81–100 per cent) remains low at 8.1 per cent.

The fact that priorities are clearly defined is evident from the decisions companies are making for the future: when asked about the most important issue for the coming months, process automation (32.4 per cent) and system modernisation (24.3 per cent) rank unchallenged at the top. By contrast, issues such as AI-supported processes (2.7 per cent) or sustainability/CO₂ reporting (5.4 per cent) are pragmatically taking a back seat.

Key Focus: IT Security – Data Exchange as a Risk Factor

In July, the Cargoclix Digitalisation Monitor examined the topic of IT security and data protection in digital logistics processes for the first time. Whilst just under 30 per cent of companies stated that data protection and IT security represent a hurdle in the digitalisation process, the specific protective measures reveal gaps, particularly at the external boundaries of their own organisations.

Whilst most companies rely on traditional internal measures such as access rights, role-based access control and data encryption, there is still room for improvement when it comes to securing partner interfaces and raising staff awareness: regular penetration tests, security audits and binding contractual data protection agreements with external partners are not yet being consistently implemented by the majority.

“As supply chains become increasingly interconnected, the attack surface for cyberattacks and data breaches is growing significantly,” warns Victor Meier. “It is not enough simply to shield one’s own IT infrastructure. Companies must treat interfaces with external partners, as well as data protection in collaborative logistics, as a priority. Anyone calling for digital connectivity must consider end-to-end IT security from day one,” he warns. 

Optimistic Outlook Despite Cautious Investment

Despite the complex hurdles, the sector is looking ahead with cautious optimism. Around 70.2 per cent of respondents expect the digitalisation of the logistics sector to increase slightly or significantly over the next 12 months. Companies’ own willingness to invest remains solid: more than a third of firms are planning high or very high levels of investment in digital logistics solutions over the next 12 months.

“The pressure to act is enormous. Companies know they must invest to remain competitive,” sums up Prof. Victor Meier. “The focus must now be on standardising interfaces , bringing partners on board digitally and guaranteeing the security of these data flows.”

About the Cargoclix Digitalisation Monitor

The Cargoclix Digitalisation Monitor is a regular online survey conducted by Cargoclix amongst logistics decision-makers from industry, retail and the service sector. Thirty-seven companies of varying sizes and from different sectors took part in the second survey in July 2026. The results provide an authentic snapshot of current trends, hurdles and priorities relating to digitalisation in logistics and do not claim to be representative.

About Cargoclix

Cargoclix is a leading provider of digital solutions for transport and logistics processes. Since 1998, the company has been helping industry, retail and logistics service providers to digitise their processes in a simple, efficient and end-to-end manner – from strategic freight procurement and transport management, through delivery planning, to the management of vehicles, drivers and operations on factory premises.

Today, more than 200,000 users utilize Cargoclix’s solutions at over 3,000 locations worldwide. All products are available as Software as a Service (SaaS) in the cloud. Thanks to their modular structure, companies can start with individual processes and gradually expand the digitalisation of their logistics.

Cargoclix’s solutions include:

• Cargoclix SLOT: A modular, customisable software solution for optimising operations at the loading bay. SLOT is one of the most widely used solutions in the field of time slot management and enables the efficient planning and management of deliveries and collections.
• Cargoclix YARD: A digital solution for managing and optimising vehicle movements and processes on factory and operational premises. YARD provides transparency regarding vehicles, locations and status information, and enables the efficient coordination of processes from check-in to departure.
• Cargoclix SAFE CHECK-IN (SCI): A digital solution for direct communication between lorry drivers and logistics sites. SCI supports check-in and further communication with drivers, helping to speed up processes, reduce waiting times and overcome language barriers.
• Cargoclix WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT (WFM): A modular solution for the digitalisation and automation of individual workflows in yard and transport logistics. Among other things, WFM supports digital checklists, documentation processes, security checks and visitor management.
• Cargoclix TENDER: A platform for the digital tendering of transport and logistics services. With more than 28,000 registered companies from industry, retail and logistics, TENDER is one of the leading international tendering platforms for transport and logistics services.
• Cargoclix AI CORE: A cross-product AI solution that integrates intelligent functions into Cargoclix applications. AI CORE analyses data, identifies correlations and helps users manage processes more efficiently, make decisions more quickly and further automate workflows.

Cargoclix is a brand of Dr. Meier & Schmidt GmbH. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Freiburg im Breisgau.

Further information can be found at www.cargoclix.com.

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