Securing the global supply chain, while ensuring its smooth functioning, is essential to our national security and economic prosperity. This vital system provides the goods that feed our domestic critical infrastructures.

The global supply chain is dynamic, growing in size and complexity, and is vulnerable to threats and hazards such as natural disasters, accidents or even malicious attacks. A common approach, involving the range of stakeholders with supply chain roles and responsibilities, is necessary.

To ensure an effective Supply Chain Security, there are seven key strategies in place.

Figure 1: Various Mode of Transport for Global Supply Chain

Container & Seal Security and Inspection

All international supply chain business partners must ensure procedures are in place to maintain container integrity. Container integrity is maintained to protect against the unauthorised material and/or persons. Procedures must be in place to properly seal and maintain the integrity of shipping containers.

Procedures must be in place to verify the physical integrity of the container structure prior to loading/unloading and include the reliability of the locking mechanisms of the doors.

The following seven-point inspection process is recommended:

1. Check the front wall for integrity or manipulation
2. Check the left side for integrity or manipulation
3. Check the right side for integrity or manipulation
4. Check the floor for integrity or manipulation
5. Check the ceiling/roof for integrity or manipulation
6. Check the doors (both inside and outside) for integrity or manipulation
7. Check the outside undercarriage for integrity or manipulation

A trailer/container inspection checklist should be used to ensure that all items have been checked

Written procedures must stipulate how seals are to be controlled and affixed to loaded containers. Procedures must be in place for reporting compromised seals and/or containers. Only designated employees should have access to the security seals and distribution of container seals (container sealing).

Figure 2: Seven Point Inspection Process

Personnel Security

a. Conducting Comprehensive Investigations

Before hiring an employee, an in-depth criminal and background investigation is conducted. These include checking criminal records, court records, financial history, right to work documents, past employment and education records.

b. Background Checks for Employees

All employees are subject to background investigations. This is to ensure the integrity of persons having access to its facility and assets.

c. Utilising Biometric Technology

Using biometric handprint identification system together with a 4-digit employee code to access work area and authenticate identities.

d. Monitoring Access Patterns

Periodically reviews proximity reader system to identify unusual patterns of employee access.

e. Terminating Facility Access

When an employee is terminated, an information notice should be issued to workers. A list of names and photos of terminated employees should be given to security to aid them in access control of the facility.

f. Restricting Access

Proximity cards with photo identification should be used to gain access to different areas based on their job function. Entry and exit times should be restricted according to work schedule.

g. Requiring Employee Identification

All employees should wear their photo identification badge for verification.

Figure 3: Various Security Devices

Secured Procedures

A layered approach is the best way to secured procedures. The right combination of planning, processes, contract, packaging, and monitoring helps ensure goods reach their intended destinations.

Measures to boost security may include expedited service, dedicated trucks, team drivers, covert and overt GPS, split shipments, couriers, auditing partners, and careful timing, such as avoiding shipping during weekends and holidays.

Designing a secure goods supply chain starts with mapping the supply chain to identify risk areas. Next comes assessing processes, assets and facilities throughout the entire network, including logistics providers and suppliers.

Then security managers can recommend tools that will best mitigate the risks. Monitoring and measuring security procedures is important to ensure successful results.

One key process is making sure goods are properly prepared for transit. Seagate, for example, uses corner boards, strapping, banding, and shrink wrapping to protect its products in transit.

Figure 4: Secured Cargo in Container

Documentation Control

Documentation is important for physical logistics operations, the financial, trading and accounting processes of the both buyer and seller organisations and partner

It is depended upon the entire set of documentation pertaining to each transaction to be able to recognise the sale, recognise value of consignment and effect necessary payment.

All documents should be legible and accurate. Outgoing and incoming cargo must be verified against purchase and delivery orders

Accounting practices require detailed documentation.

Finally, goods and services are recognised and identified only with the set of authenticated documentation showing ownership based on which the customs allow them to be exported or imported.

There are more aspects like terms of carriage by the carrier coupled with insurance liabilities and coverage that call for set of documentation covering specific aspects of each transaction.

The entire set of documents and the terms of trade have been developed and standardised across all countries to facilitate international trade.

A supply chain manager needs to be aware of the complete set of documentation requirement along with the various aspects to be able to design processes and documentation control mechanisms.

Errors in documentation will lead to financial damage, delays in delivery and performance.

Figure 5: A person using computer for documentation from various places

Facility Security

Caged area that encloses the top and side of the truck in order to restrict access to the truck during loading. The caged area should be locked when not in use.

Signs posted stating “Restricted Access” should be visible

• Utilising Technology to monitor gates

Facilities should have electronic gates, perimeter fences with infrared and magnetic sensors, motion detectors and alarms.

• Selecting Contracted Security Guard Services

A comprehensive plan should be in place. This plan includes evaluating the service provider’s selection, training and supervision of the guards.

• Lighting

Immediately replace lights that burn out. Conduct survey of facility’s interior and exterior lighting to ensure uniformity and appropriate brightness.

• Detecting Intruders

Digital Video Surveillance System that will record anyone who attempts to access a restricted area. The System will capture the intruder’s image and send it to the security database for immediate response by the guard

Figure 6: A Security Guard looking at Surveillance Screen

Information Technology Security

IT security is controlling access to sensitive electronic information. Only those with legitimate need to access it are allowed to do so. This seemingly simply task has become a complex process with systems that need to be continually updated and processes that need to be constantly reviewed. There are three main objectives for IT security: Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of data.

Confidentiality is protecting access to sensitive data from those who do not have legitimate need to use it. Integrity is ensuring information is accurate, reliable and cannot be modified in unexpected ways. The availability of data ensures it is readily available to those who need to use it. IT security also includes creating and implementing procedures and policies such as password protection and employee training.

Figure 7: Components for IT Security

Security Training and Threat Awareness

Creating threat awareness program for employees so they can identify possible threats posed by terrorists and contraband smugglers. Employees will be able to identify threats and prepare responses.

The objectives of such program are as follows:

• Recognise, identify and report a threat to the supply chain
• Identify security requirements for shipping and receiving areas
• Identify secure procedures for receiving and opening mail
• Identify procedures for maintaining cargo integrity
• Recognise internal conspiracies
• Identify means of protecting access controls
• Understand the benefits of a supply chain security program

Figure 8: Security Personnel Patrolling

Conclusion

Supply chains are intricate, with many touch points and vulnerabilities. Everyone in the supply chain is responsible to secure it. Be alert for suspicious activity and report concerns immediately. Integrate security into daily operations, use job aids to ensure compliance and recordkeeping. Supply chain security is achieved through a multi-functional approach with integrated security procedures. It is critical to re-evaluate all the necessary requirements, including the information gathered – at least every two years – to optimise your supply chain performance and alleviate risk.

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References

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BSI (2018). “Security Training and Threat Awareness in the Supply Chain”.Retrieved from: https://bsi.learncentral.com, accessed 16/03/2018.

C-TPAT (2006). “Supply Chain Security Best Practices Catalog”. Retrieved from: https://www.cbp.gov, accessed 16/03/2018.

Customs Cleared Company Inc. (2012). “Trailer/Container Security”. Retrieved from: http://www.customscleared.com, accessed 16/03/2018.

Lisa Terry (2014). “Protecting High-Value Cargo: A Sense of Security”. Retrieved from: http://www.inboundlogistics.com, accessed 16/03/2018.

National Cyber Security Centre (2018). “Supply Chain Security Collection”. Retrieved from: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk, accessed 16/03/2018.

PrachiJuneja (2018). “Documentation – A Control Mechanism of Supply Chain Logistics”.
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Raghavendran, A. (2013). “Eight Keys to Global Supply Chain Security”. Retrieved from: http://www.mhlnews.com, accessed 16/03/2018.

US Department of Homeland Security (2017). “National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security”. Retrieved from: https://www.dhs.gov, accessed 16/03/2018.