AI in shipping

“India has the potential to lead by sharing scalable cybersecurity models developed through its digital logistics expansion” — Pankaj Sachdeva, Managing Director of India, Pitney Bowes

India’s Digital Logistics Boom Is Building Global-Grade Cybersecurity Models
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With over two decades of experience at the intersection of data, innovation, and leadership, Pankaj Sachdeva serves as Managing Director of India Innovation at Pitney Bowes, a global leader in shipping and mailing solutions for over a century. He leads the company’s Intelligent Data Services strategy—powering core e-commerce capabilities like forecasting, trade classification, and delivery prediction. Known for building high-impact, tech-forward teams, Pankaj is a driving force behind Pitney Bowes’ India innovation hub.

In this feature, he shares how AI, zero-trust models, and secure digital logistics are reshaping the future of global trade.

Q

How is AI reshaping fraud detection in global shipping and logistics, and what specific use cases has Pitney Bowes implemented in this area?

A

AI is transforming fraud detection in the shipping sector by enabling real-time analysis of vast volumes of transactional and behavioral data. It helps identify suspicious activities such as anomalies in shipping patterns, inconsistencies in users' personal information, and high-risk transactions—allowing companies to act proactively before damage occurs.

Incorporating AI at every stage of the customer journey, from login to scheduling shipment, helps detect anomalies in personal data like mismatched contact details or unverifiable locations, flagging them for review. Additionally, geographically-targeted monitoring helps strengthen defences in areas with a higher incidence of fraudulent activity, enabling more precise and efficient responses.

These capabilities are embedded within our flagship shipping products, enabling secure, compliant, and scalable operations. While no system is entirely immune to evolving cyber threats, we continually monitor and strengthen our infrastructure to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance fraud protection across our network.

Q

What does a ‘zero-trust’ security model look like in the context of a modern, connected shipping infrastructure?

A

As digital ecosystems grow more complex and interconnected, embracing a Zero Trust approach provides organizations with the resilience needed to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats—without compromising operational efficiency.

Zero Trust is increasingly adopted as a key cybersecurity strategy for securing interconnected systems. It operates on the principle of "zero assumed trust," requiring continuous verification for every user or device, even if inside the network. In shipping infrastructure, this means no automatic access is granted. Instead, systems require ongoing authentication and authorization, ensuring only verified entities access sensitive data.

As digital ecosystems grow more complex, Zero Trust enhances resilience, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving cyber threats without sacrificing operational efficiency.

Q

With the rise in cyberattacks on logistics networks, how can companies protect operational and cloud data without compromising efficiency and scalability?

A

Protecting data without slowing operations requires a secure-by-design approach—embedding encryption, identity management, and AI-driven threat detection directly into logistics workflows for seamless, uninterrupted performance.

In shipping environments, tools like Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) help secure APIs and block unauthorized access. Regular vulnerability assessments, continuous monitoring, and endpoint protection further reduce the risk of infiltration. As a best practice, organizations conduct cyberattack simulations and provide ongoing employee training to strengthen response readiness.

By implementing layered defences and building awareness around risks like social engineering, companies can confidently scale operations—ensuring security and performance go hand in hand.

Q

What are the biggest security risks organizations face when transitioning from legacy systems to fully digital operations in the shipping sector?

A

During digital transformation, organizations must strengthen their systems from day one to mitigate risks such as data exposure during migration, insecure APIs, unpatched vulnerabilities, and limited visibility across hybrid environments.

While modern technologies enable real-time monitoring, multi-factor authentication, and dynamic threat response, integrating them—especially with legacy systems—remains complex.

Legacy systems often present compatibility challenges. To address this, organizations adopt hybrid models that support both modern platforms and older infrastructure—ensuring operational continuity while enabling a gradual, secure transition to more scalable environments.

Maintaining end-to-end security in such mixed environments requires added effort, but with robust controls and continuous monitoring, organizations can reduce threats and build resilient, scalable infrastructure.

Q

How should companies strike the right balance between innovation and compliance when integrating AI and IoT into their shipping workflows?

A

Security is the foundation of any enterprise, and adhering to compliance is a key aspect of this foundation. As businesses innovate and leverage new technologies like AI and IoT, it’s crucial to ensure that these solutions are designed with security and compliance at the forefront.

The integration of these security measures with the latest technologies is vital in making products not only innovative but also secure and reliable. However, this requires constant effort to stay aligned with ever-evolving compliance standards, which can be challenging but is necessary for ensuring that products meet industry regulations and best practices.

Maintaining compliance is essential for product standardization and fostering trust with clients. As the shipping landscape evolves beyond parcel delivery to support sectors like banking and healthcare, aligning with their stringent compliance requirements becomes critical to ensure robust and trusted security postures.

Q

How aligned is India’s cybersecurity policy framework (MeitY, CERT-In) with global standards like those from IMO, Quad, or G20 for securing digital trade infrastructure?

A

India’s cybersecurity framework is steadily aligning with global standards. CERT-In’s incident reporting mandates and MeitY’s focus on strengthening digital infrastructure highlight this progress. India is also collaborating more actively with global forums like the G20, IMO, and Quad to enhance digital trade security, with continued efforts to harmonize with international frameworks.

While there are some opportunities to cover, India’s growing alignment with global standards—especially in areas like data protection and cyber resilience—is a positive step toward building secure, scalable digital ecosystems. This progress not only reinforces national infrastructure but also boosts confidence in India’s role in global digital trade.

Organizations often adapt cybersecurity policies based on client and regional requirements—aligning with international standards where necessary, while applying localized measures to comply with regional regulations. This balanced approach ensures consistent security posture across operations.

Q

In your view, how can India play a more strategic role in shaping global cyber resilience in digital logistics and trade?

A

India has the potential to lead by sharing scalable cybersecurity models developed through its digital logistics expansion. By promoting interoperability, contributing to global cybersecurity standards, and fostering strategic partnerships, India can play a vital role in building collective cyber resilience for global supply chains.

India’s strength lies in its deep pool of IT and cybersecurity talent, positioning the country as a formidable contributor to global cybersecurity innovation. To fully operationalize this potential, it is essential to maintain momentum through continued investment in advanced research, skills development, and public-private collaboration.

Sustained focus in these areas will ensure that India not only drives cost-effective innovation but also sets benchmarks for quality and resilience in securing critical digital infrastructure like logistics and trade systems.

Q

With over a century of legacy, how is Pitney Bowes reinventing itself for a secure, AI-driven shipping and logistics future?

A

Legacy shipping companies are actively reinventing themselves by embedding AI and cybersecurity at the core of their digital transformation efforts. From automated workflows and intelligent data-driven decision-making to fraud detection and predictive logistics, AI is driving both efficiency and resilience.

To stay ahead, it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest cyber threats—not only from a shipping standpoint but across the broader technology landscape. At Pitney Bowes, we regularly engage in internal discussions about emerging cyber risks and evolving AI capabilities. These discussions are followed by consultations with subject matter experts in AI and cybersecurity, helping us identify secure and practical ways to implement new technologies.

This proactive approach ensures that transformation is not just about adopting new tools, but doing so in a secure, scalable, and strategically aligned manner for long-term business success. 

Q

Can you share how Pitney Bowes is leveraging real-time monitoring or predictive analytics to preempt security threats across global shipping lanes or e-commerce logistics?

A

In the shipping sector, real-time monitoring and predictive analytics are essential to staying ahead of emerging security threats. Companies are increasingly adopting automated security operations platforms that combine monitoring, detection, and response capabilities to ensure continuous protection.

At Pitney Bowes, we rely on a combined SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) setup. Our SIEM platform enables real-time threat detection and correlation of events across our global systems, while the SOAR component automates aspects of the incident response process—helping us act swiftly and reduce manual effort.

Additionally, we operate a dedicated 24x7 Security Operations Center (SOC) that continuously monitors our global infrastructure. This team ensures any emerging threats are addressed swiftly and effectively before they can disrupt our shipping operations.

Q

Looking ahead, what emerging technologies or strategies will define the next phase of secure and intelligent digital shipping ecosystems?

A

The next wave of secure, intelligent shipping will be shaped by AI-powered predictive systems, blockchain for tamper-proof transaction records, edge computing for faster local decision-making, and quantum-resistant security to ensure long-term data protection.

However, success in this space isn’t about adopting every emerging technology—it hinges on how effectively these innovations are integrated within a resilient and adaptive cybersecurity framework that meets the specific demands of global logistics.

A thoughtful, strategic approach is essential. Organizations should begin by evaluating new technologies through internal assessments and expert consultations, focusing on feasibility, security impact, and long-term value. While some areas may not be immediately critical, greater emphasis today is placed on AI, data protection, and trade security—where innovation can deliver tangible improvements in both resilience and operational efficiency.

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