Logistics Security

There are several risk factors along the flow of goods within your supply chain. Without proper logistics security measures in place, these risks can pose a considerable threat to your bottom line:

• Cargo Theft: When goods are stolen from within the supply chain, the entire chain is disrupted, resulting in financial loss. Theft can occur at multiple locations of the supply chain:
  • Freight / Transportation: Thieves often target high-value cargo and may attempt to steal goods while in transit, especially during stops and unsecured locations.
  • Maritime Ports: Ports are hectic, complex environments with large volumes of cargo moving about. A confusing environment with weak security protocols makes it easier for criminals to access cargo containers.
  • Warehouses: Without a proper security system, thieves can break into your warehouse and have full access to your products. With the right plan, they can be in and out with your goods before you know it.
• Other Types of Theft: These other types of theft can occur when and where you least expect it:
  • Internal Theft: Employees may steal on their own, or tamper with security systems and band together to steal larger amounts of product for resale. This can undermine confidence in your staff.
  • Piracy: Unfortunately, maritime piracy is becoming more and more prevalent, with the hijacking of vessels creating significant disruptions and delays, not to mention danger to crew members.
  • Espionage: Believe it or not, your competitors­ –– or even disgruntled employees –– may attempt to steal sensitive data or intellectual property for monetary gain, compromising both your security and competitive advantage.
• Smuggling: Criminals can infiltrate shipments to hide illicit items for transport, leading to penalties, delays, and legal issues for the supply chain participants.
• Terrorism: Heightened terrorism risks leave transportation hubs, warehouses and ships particularly vulnerable. Acts of terrorism disrupt supply chains, leading to increased operational costs and complexities in securing shipments.
• Cyberattacks: With our growing reliance on digital technologies for logistics management, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. A cyberattack can halt your entire supply chain for an undetermined period of time and leave sensitive data in the hands of cybercriminals.
• Stowaways: Stowaways hiding in transport vehicles or cargo containers pose many security and operational challenges, including legal and ethical complications. A stowaway situation can lead to delays in inspections, penalties and fines, and reputational damage.
• Counterfeits: Fake or counterfeit goods are often difficult to identify and trace. Once integrated into your supply chain, counterfeit goods can undermine consumer trust in the quality of your products, damage your brand reputation and lead to long-term business loss.  

Once you’ve conducted a thorough risk assessment of potential threats, it’s important to create a robust logistics security system to make sure your assets are protected. Here are some best practices to follow to help you establish effective logistics security within your supply chain:

• Security plan: Creating and implementing an overall security plan that encompasses all of the elements of your logistics security –– from the physical checkpoints and security guards to data and cybersecurity –– will give you a comprehensive approach toward protecting your assets and will help you seamlessly orchestrate the many different elements within your logistics security system.
• Tracking and monitoring: By implementing GPS tracking for your vehicles and RFID tagging for your cargo, you can gather valuable data that will allow you to keep a close eye on your products 24/7.
• Access control: Implementing comprehensive security logistics protocols, such as badge systems, surveillance cameras and security at entrance points will help significantly mitigate the risk of theft and sabotage.
• Incident response plan: It’s important to have a detailed response plan in place so that once a security breach occurs, everyone knows exactly how to mitigate damage, ensure safety and quickly restore operations to peak performance.
• Security audits: Holding regularly scheduled evaluations of security protocols will help you identify any vulnerabilities in the system and ensure compliance with all safety standards.
• Employee training: Educating all employees on your security policies and procedures will create a company-wide awareness of the seriousness of security and help thwart any potential internal threats.
• Data backups: Backing up your data regularly provides a safety net should a cyberattack threaten the integrity of sensitive logistics data.
• Security guards: Well-trained security personnel strategically positioned at critical areas in your facilities and near loading docks will add an extra layer of protection against any threats.
• Mobile patrols: Security teams that make the rounds throughout your facilities add a visible security presence for real-time, continual monitoring.
• Immediate emergency response: Having an emergency plan in place will be invaluable should you experience a crisis such as theft, fire, or accident, and will help immediately minimize any damage to your supply chain operations.
• 24/7 alarm monitoring and response: Continuous surveillance and real-time response systems notify authorities and security teams the minute alarms are triggered, ensuring around-the-clock protection to minimize damage from any threat.
• Vehicle entry and exit control: Strict monitoring of exits and entrances ensures no unapproved vehicles enter or leave your facilities, reducing the risk of theft and sabotage.
• Intrusion detection systems: Adding a layer of technological protection through strategically placed sensors and alarms will prevent unauthorized access and break-ins, securing your supply chain assets.
• Cargo Screening: Carefully inspecting and verifying all goods entering or leaving your facilities will prevent theft as well as the transport of illicit materials.
• Warehouse monitoring system: Additional safety systems to monitor temperature, water leaks, smoke and fire detection ensure your goods are safe and protected from any hazards. It’s important to routinely check storage conditions and be sure your monitoring systems are working properly.  

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