Transport companies must implement highly sophisticated security techniques into their logistical plans to ensure the safe and secure transportation of their cargo. Implementing such practices requires experienced logistics professionals to predict all potential risks and problems that could occur. Then, the logistics professionals will recommend effective strategies and solutions for reducing risks and overcoming potential problems to keep the supply chain moving efficiently.
Below are the top four security techniques that professional transport companies use today.
1) Smart Technology
Smart technology has dramatically improved the security capabilities of the transportation industry. Transport company managers no longer need to make many phone calls to track all their shipping containers, items, and workers. Instead, they now have smart management systems to track all their shipping containers, items, and workers with a few mouse clicks and finger swipes. This technology saves them enormous amounts of time and money to maintain the efficiency of the supply chain.
For example, transport companies require their workers and truck drivers to carry mobile smart devices to transmit real-time status updates to the control centre. The control centre can also contact and send messages to their workers quickly too. That way, there is much less risk of miscommunication and delays during transit.
The latest smart management systems enable transport companies to do critical tasks more efficiently. Some of these tasks include the following:
- Verify the identities of everyone who enters and leaves an operational centre
- Evaluate the weather conditions of various locations on the route to the destination point
- Assess the traffic conditions of multiple areas on route to the destination point
- Manage employee schedules, benefits, payments, absences, work rosters, etc.
- Increase the productivity and efficiency of loading and unloading cargo
- Verify that all computer regulations and rules are being met
- Assess operation centres and shipping containers for vehicles, goods, trailers, etc.
Smart management systems have made life so much easier and safer for the workers and managers of transport companies. Best of all, the computer programs and software of smart management systems continue to be improved and updated with better features. They are not even that expensive for transport companies to operate either.
2) Stricter Rules and Regulations for Accessing Assets
Transport companies often transport valuable assets and items to their destination points. Unfortunately, thieves look for opportunities to steal these items during the loading and unloading process because that is when the items are less secured and most exposed.
For example, thieves may wait for a truck driver to open the back of their trailer door and walk away for a few minutes. That way, the thieves can sneak in to swipe out boxes and steal items from the open trailer before the truck driver gets back, especially if the truck is not in a secured compound or operation centre. In fact, many thefts occur at outside locations away from the headquarters or home base of the transport companies.
As a result, transport companies have created stricter rules and regulations for pick-ups and deliveries to reduce the risk of thievery at outside locations. Some of the standard rules put in place are the following:
- More than one person must unload and load cargo. No single person can do it alone.
- Keep accurate and detailed records of all unload and load times.
- Contact the cargo delivery person to confirm the pre-determined loading and unloading times. If there are any external factors impacting the delivery time, they could also affect the loading or unloading time. Both sides must know about these factors immediately.
Outside factors potentially influencing loading and unloading times include load weight & size, unforeseen weather events, natural disasters, rest breaks for truck drivers, and heavy traffic.
3) Enhancing the Security of Storage Facilities
Storage facilities must have top-notch security to stop thieves from breaking into them and stealing valuable stored items. Fortunately, transport companies no longer need to spend lots of money installing barbed wire fences around the perimeters of their storage facilities. Instead, they can rely more on modern security technology to monitor their facilities and detect unauthorised intrusion.
Any transport company using outdated black & white CCTV cameras and old fences to secure their storage facilities should consider upgrading their security systems immediately. The newest security systems offer high-resolution colour CCTV cameras, 24-hour video recording, and loud alarm sounds to signal the authorities and deter criminals.
4) Improving Cyber Security Defences
Transport companies rely heavily on computers and digital technology to run their operations and communicate with workers. Despite the enhanced efficiency of using digital technology, it has also made critical sensitive information more vulnerable and exposed to hackers.
Virtual attacks negatively and frequently impact supply chains throughout the world. Transport companies are under more pressure to enhance their cyber security defences to protect their computer systems and vital information from hackers and online criminals.
The good news is that many transport companies get assistance from the government to help combat the growing problem of cyber-attacks. However, transport companies still need to do their parts in developing and improving their cyber security solutions to maintain the speed and efficiency of their logistics, transportation, and supply chain. The government can attempt to track down and arrest digital attackers, but transport companies must try to prevent digital attacks themselves.
Conclusion
Transport companies have many more resources and technologies to help them improve their security and increase the efficiency of their logistical operations. They must invest in these resources and technologies to prevent unwanted delays, thefts, and digital attacks.
The world is changing quickly. If a professional transport company wants to adapt to the changing times, they must keep upgrading and improving their security systems and techniques before thieves can detect their vulnerabilities.
