RTLS stands for real-time locating systems. These indoor tracking platforms use tags, beacons, Wi-Fi, UWB, RFID, or similar sensors to show where assets, tools, vehicles, or staff are inside a facility. In warehouses, factories, and hospitals, RTLS improves visibility, automates inventory checks, and helps systems such as warehouse management and ERP stay accurate.
RTLS matters in cyber security because it is both operational technology and a data source. If attackers tamper with the tracking platform, they can hide missing equipment, distort inventory records, or interrupt workflows. Defenders also use RTLS logs and location data during incident response to spot unusual movement, confirm asset status, and detect gaps between physical reality and system records.