The Transportation & Logistics industry (along with the related shipping market) continues to operate in a largely self-regulated environment, with little to no consistency in documentation. While the industry is still seeking a comprehensive way to address the security threats brought on by 9/11, the myriad combinations of shipping documents – including packing slips, waybills, consists, bills of lading and proofs of delivery – and certificates – maritime, TWIC – have increased the industry’s vulnerabilities to counterfeiting and fraud. Such crimes can lead to increased costs of delivery, reduced customer satisfaction and massive damage to reputation.
Areas of Concern
Shipping Documents
Because process and documentation vary from company to company, the risks of counterfeiting and fraud can come from anywhere. Bills of lading, the primary shipping documents, are often vulnerable to forgery, allowing intent criminals to change information to fit their motives. While higher-quality goods usually have greater security (such as RFID) within their boxes and palettes, this same protection does not extend to the documents that accompany them. These problems, as well as the inconsistent use of various forms of receipt (proof of delivery, etc.), can greatly impact logistics operations. Even minor incidents can cause days of disruptive headaches, while major problems, depending on the product, can cost millions of dollars or threaten national security.
Licenses & Identification
Like most businesses, the security of transportation and logistics organizations is only as good as the people involved. In this industry, that means a large network of truck drivers and machine operators that handles thousands of boxes of product every day. All it takes is one wrong hire, or one enterprising criminal, to ruin your company’s reputation and undermine profit. Truck driving licenses and other forms of identification need to be thoroughly protected in order to protect the business. While many of these documents use some security features, they are particularly vulnerable when in a temporary form. The interim step between application and receipt of a permanent license is often overlooked, providing a perfect platform for inside fraud.
International Certificates
Despite the many fraud opportunities within the shipping process, the real security risks are at the international level, where the logistics business and national security interests intersect. Post 9/11, the movement to lock down international shipping and secure ports has led to new measures like the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification program and the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Along with maritime certificates and other documents, these certificates are more than necessary to protect shipping products, as well as workers, but still carry risks – especially in the production of interim/temporary licenses. Such security gaps are unacceptable to both companies’ bottom lines and to a government trying to protect its citizens.
Outlook
While initial steps toward security have been made in reaction to 9/11, the transportation & logistics industry continues to struggle with the protection of the goods it ships and stores. The vulnerabilities to fraud and criminal activity of all kinds will continue to plague this rather lax environment, especially where the federal government has not stepped in to enforce national security. The industry can no longer rely on tracking and warehousing intelligence systems for security, as cost and complexity undermine such efforts. Low cost and simplicity must be a part of any security solution in transportation and logistics, to fully adapt to and protect the diverse documentation and processes that exist within the industry’s network of companies.
AuthentiGuard On-Demand Can Help
AuthentiGuard-On-Demand is a sophisticated print security technology that combines the benefits of copy and tamper protection with the ability to conceal sensitive data within printed documents. Utilizing standard desktop and commercial printers, the solution provides for the dynamic delivery of comprehensive protection to transportation and shipping documents, including temporary licenses and certificates.