NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference 2026

State of the Industry

Join industry leaders for a panel discussion examining the current state of cybersecurity in trucking and transportation. From emerging threats and evolving regulations to operational resilience and industry collaboration, this session will explore the challenges, priorities, and opportunities shaping the future of transportation cybersecurity.

Erica Brigance
Vice President, Technology Enablement, ArcBest

Todd Florence
Chief Information Officer, Estes Express Lines

Joe Ohr
Chief Operations and Technical Officer, NMFTA

State of NMFTA

Join us for an in-depth analysis of the current state of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.^® (NMFTA)^®, focusing on its initiatives, challenges, and future directions. We will explore NMFTA's efforts in enhancing freight classification, promoting cybersecurity within the transportation sector, and fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders. Learn more >

Ben Wilkens
Director of Cybersecurity, NMFTA

Ben Gardiner
Senior Cybersecurity Research Engineer, NMFTA

Anne Zachos
Cybersecurity Research Engineer, NMFTA

Joe Ohr
Chief Operations and Technical Officer, NMFTA (Moderator)

White-labeling in Telematics Project Update

This session will provide an overview of NMFTA's project uncovering white-labeling and code reuse in electronic logging devices (ELDs). The project assessed the extent to which these devices share common libraries and other components across a wide range of the ELD ecosystem, including firmware images, associated mobile applications, cloud-based services, and hardware. The session will also cover potential impacts to the trucking industry and highlight the importance of identifying white-labeling in order to understand how vulnerabilities can have an outsized impact on the safety, privacy, and regulatory compliance of fleets.

Jaime Lightfoot
Cybersecurity Researcher, Lightfoot Labs

Anne Zachos
Cybersecurity Research Engineer, NMFTA

Knowledge Graphs, AI, and Diagnostics: From Static Findings to Dynamic Exploits (Technical Track)

This presentation introduces an AI-assisted vehicle cybersecurity platform that transforms AUTOSAR embedded software into a security-focused knowledge graph. The system combines abstract syntax trees (AST), control-flow graphs (CFG), data-flow analysis, symbol resolution, static analysis findings, and AI-generated annotations into a unified graph representation, enabling engineers to explore attack surfaces, trace source-to-sink paths, identify safety-critical components, and interact with the platform using natural-language queries. Learn more >

Ivan Granero
Senior Security Engineer, Bosch

Project Update: EC80 (Technical Track)

This session explores the impacts of the Bendix EC80 recall, focusing on how electrical noise on the J2497 powerline (PLC) can trigger memory corruption and cause the ECU to go offline. Having completed a deep dive into this recall, NMFTA researchers will present their findings on how these issues connect to underlying PLC vulnerabilities and the broader safety and security implications for the industry. Learn more >

Ben Gardiner
Senior Cybersecurity Research Engineer, NMFTA

Securing the Load: Cybersecurity’s Role in Preventing Cargo Theft

Learn how cybercriminals are exploiting load boards, identity systems, and transportation data networks to fuel modern cargo theft, and what carriers and brokers can do now to reduce risk and strengthen defenses.

Scott Cornell
Chairman, Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA)

Shawn Rasmor
Principal Product Manager, Truckstop

Danielle Spinelli
Director of Partnerships, GenLogs

BenWilkens
Director of Cybersecurity, NMFTA (Moderator)

From Inbox to Freight Theft: How Cybercriminals Use RMMs, Malware, and Phishing to Steal Cargo Across North America and Europe

This session examines the latest cyber threats targeting the freight transportation industry, including how threat actors use remote monitoring tools, credential phishing, and malware to gain unauthorized access to carrier and broker systems. Attendees will explore real-world attack techniques, phishing examples impersonating trusted logistics platforms, and practical strategies to strengthen authentication, detect intrusions, and prevent cargo theft before it occurs. Learn more >

Ole Villadsen
Staff Threat Researcher, Proofpoint

Dinner

Join us at the Long Beach Beer Lab for an evening of networking, great food, and local craft beer in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Alongside conversations about the latest in cybersecurity and freight technology, attendees can enjoy a little friendly competition on the venue’s pinball machines, creating the perfect mix of connection, collaboration, and fun after a full day of conference sessions. Whether you’re comparing high scores or exchanging ideas with peers, the evening offers a memorable way to unwind and build new relationships within the industry.

Long Beach Beer Lab

Call for Collaboration

The NMFTA invites industry professionals, cybersecurity experts, and stakeholders to join a collaborative effort aimed at enhancing cybersecurity within the transportation sector. This session will also focus on NMFTA's initiatives, and joint efforts undertaken with external organizations and companies, such as Samsara, to address the growing cyber threats targeting freight and logistics operations. Learn more >

Ben Wilkens
Director of Cybersecurity, NMFTA

Ben Gardiner
Senior Cybersecurity Research Engineer, NMFTA

Anne Zachos
Cybersecurity Research Engineer, NMFTA

Tabletop Session

Attendees will get hands-on in this interactive incident response exercise led by AntiSyphon Training and NMFTA. The session will open with a discussion of what it takes to build a resilient incident response playbook that will prepare attendees to return to their organizations with a fresh perspective and focused approach. Following the presentation, attendees will roll up their sleeves and engage in an immersive incident response tabletop to put the techniques from the discussion into practice. Whether you are a front-line incident responder, or on the executive leadership team, you will come away from this session with a deeper understanding of effective incident response planning and the confidence to put it into practice in your organization.

Patterson Cake
Director of Incident Response, Black Hills Information Security

Ben Wilkens
Director of Cybersecurity, NMFTA (Moderator)

No Press Allowed - From Intelligence to Operations

Threat intelligence only matters if it changes what your team does on Monday morning. Too often, indicators and reports land in an inbox, get skimmed, and never reach the people who could actually use them to block an attack, harden a process, or stop a fraudulent load. Learn more >

Tina Ellis
Cybersecurity Analyst, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Alexandra Moore
Manager of Threat Intelligence, ReliaQuest

Jordan Strawn
Senior Vice President of Logistics, Werner Enterprises

Ben Wilkens
Director of Cybersecurity, NMFTA (Moderator)

Where do I go to pick up my badge for the conference?

Registration will be in Farell's Foyer. Please pick up your badge between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm PT on Tuesday, September 29, or 7:30 am and 9:00 am PT on Wednesday, September 30.

Is there a dress code for the event?

Attire for this conference is business casual.

How do I download the event app?

Search your phones app store for the Engagefully app. Once downloaded, search for NMFTA. Choose your icon (either the standard Engagefully icon or NMFTA icon). Select this event and enter the email address you used to register. Assistance with the app will be available at the registration desk during listed hours.

I have special accessibility needs/ dietary requirements; can you accommodate me?

Absolutely! We strive to be as inclusive and accommodating as possible.

To best assist you with your specific accessibility needs or dietary requirements, please let us know in advance by contacting meetings@nmfta.org.

Upon registering, there is also a form field where you can complete your accessibility/dietary requirements.

September 29-October 1, 2026 | Long Beach, CA

2026 Schedule

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I go to pick up my badge for the conference?

Is there a dress code for the event?

How do I download the event app?

I have special accessibility needs/ dietary requirements; can you accommodate me?

September 29-October 1, 2026 | Long Beach, CA

#NMFTACyber