The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) announced the promotion of Ben Wilkens to director of cybersecurity, where he will lead the association’s cybersecurity strategy, research initiatives, and industry engagement efforts.
Wilkens brings a unique blend of hands-on transportation experience and advanced cybersecurity expertise to the role. Previously serving as a Cybersecurity Principal Engineer at NMFTA, he has led efforts to develop innovative technologies, methodologies, and strategies to help safeguard critical information systems across the freight and logistics ecosystem.
“Ben’s leadership and real-world understanding of both cybersecurity and transportation make him exceptionally well-positioned to advance NMFTA’s mission in this critical area,” said Joe Ohr, chief operations and technical officer for NMFTA. “As cyber threats continue to evolve, his expertise will help ensure our members—and the broader industry—are better equipped to detect, prevent, and respond.”
In his role, Wilkens will collaborate closely with industry partners, academic institutions, and government agencies to strengthen cybersecurity practices and knowledge-sharing across the sector. He is known for providing actionable insights that help organizations improve their security posture in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Prior to joining NMFTA, Wilkens held a leadership role at a family-owned trucking and logistics company, where he focused on integrating technology to improve operational efficiency while maintaining strong cybersecurity standards.
A Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Wilkens also holds an active Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL), bringing a rare, first-hand perspective to the intersection of cybersecurity and freight operations.
Last December, the NMFTA published its annual assessment of the cyber risks reshaping freight and logistics across North America. The report found that threats are becoming more sophisticated and operationally disruptive, driven by AI-assisted social engineering, automated attack frameworks, and rising supply chain compromise. Together, these shifts point to a threat landscape that now extends well beyond back-office systems, directly affecting physical operations and cargo integrity.
