There are many people who will tell you that their security product is the latest, best thing to solve your transport security woes. Indeed, security and transport managers are so inundated sometimes with sales pitches that it is easy for them to become jaded and unsure about which is the best product to pick. There is a very simple answer, there is no such thing as the best one to pick. Some gadgets are better than others, some devices more secure than others but at the end of the day no single device, gadget, widget or lock will solve all your problems. There is no such thing as perfect security and no such thing as the cure-all security product.
So why bother you may ask? Why try to improve my security when none of these products will solve my problem or at least alleviate it? Again, there is a very simple answer – no one device or gadget or process will do it, but a number of them, properly integrated and linked together with regularly reviewed procedures will start to have an impact. This is called “defence in depth” or “integrated security”.
So what does it mean?
Think of your home, not just your house but the entire property. When you leave your home in the morning, what do you do? Do you check that all the windows and doors are secure? Do you set the alarm? Do you unlock your garage door and take out your car with its hi-tech alarm and security features? Of course you do, you are a security professional after all.
Let’s take a closer look though…your windows and doors, are the double glazed with strong reinforced uPVC frames secured to the fabric of the building, with bear claw locks and the glass only removable from the inside? When you bought them, what were you thinking? Were you thinking they will look nice or were you thinking they would withstand a crowbar for 30 minutes?
Your alarm, it was installed by professionals, but when was the last time you tested it? When did you last move the furniture around so that now that Infra-red sensor in the corner can’t see the back door and did you get the magnetic sensor replaced on the door when you had them installed? You see, all the security measures in the world can be rendered ineffective because the right questions were not asked, the right thoughts did not go into them and they were considered as individual measures rather than a combined, integrated effort.
Where to start?
Charity begins at home, as the saying goes. So does security, if your own “house” is not in order then all the security in the world on your trucks will not help you very much - Security begins in the office! Now, this does not just refer to locks and bars and safes, but also information security. A good document security process and IT security procedures is as effective as the world’s most secure door in keeping your information safe. Because unfortunately, not all criminals wear stripy jumpers and come calling at 3am and not all information leaks are voluntary. Hacking, social engineering, talent spotting and compromising are tools used by cargo thieves almost as much as a crow bar and Stanley knife these days.
That is not to say you should neglect the physical security aspects of your company. Because if they don’t want your information then they may just want to steal the keys to your trucks. This is becoming an increasing problem, with thieves breaking into compounds and buildings for just this reason. Keys are as valuable as your trucks and you wouldn’t leave your truck sitting in an old wood shed with the doors unlocked now would you?
- Many companies now have secure gates, secure fences, manned guarding, CCTV and lighting, which is great but is it integrated?
- Do they compliment each other? CCTV for one is very common and can provide invaluable additional security and information to the police in the event of a crime.
- However, does it do what you want it to? Is it replacing manned guarding or is it to compliment it? CCTV is a marvellous tool but unless someone is watching it, then all it will do is give you really great pictures of your truck disappearing – if you have the right level of quality picture that is.
- Lighting too can be an advantage; it deters intruders…..if it’s used properly. Does it illuminate the right places or does it just make it easier to see where to cut the fence?
- Is someone viewing the area?
- And most importantly, if you are using CCTV does the lighting interfere with it, For example when its dark and the light is on, does it shine right into the lens?
I think you get the picture…..or maybe not.
One final thought on “home security” – if you are using manned guarding, and they are responsible for patrolling and/or monitoring CCTV and alarms, just how secure should they be? Is it sensible to have them in a wooden hut, with a door that a size nine boot key could open? Or patrolling in the dark with just a torch and thermos for company? If they are the centre of your security plan, maybe they should be in a secure location where they can raise the alarm safely rather than become victims of the thieves themselves?
On the road
Again, when purchasing security for your vehicles you should be looking for a solution that gives you exactly what you need commensurate with the threat level to your vehicles and cargo. Start at your driver and work out, because the driver is human and therefore vulnerable. The driver should be included in both your “home” security and “vehicle” security plans – after all, they have access to a lot of information too. If you are transporting high value goods, what security should you use? A curtain sided vehicle with no tracker? No planned routes or authorised stopping points? Cabs with no added protection? An alarm system that the driver can override manually? A tracking device with no-one monitoring it? Or even worse, one that can be removed with little or no effort?
Just because you aren’t carrying high value goods doesn’t make you immune to criminals either, they will steal anything from nappies to 2 tons of red sand and some door mats. Each one of the possible security measures you could use have their pros and cons, but again, no single one will give you and answer to your troubles. There is no use having a monitored tracking device if the vehicle is a curtain-sider and there is no use having authorised stopping points if you have just employed a driver that you haven’t even checked out.
For that matter, what if your truck goes abroad? Now I know what you are thinking, this is the EUROWATCH sales pitch, and perhaps it is but only because it asks a damn good question. What do you do when your vehicle gets attacked in Germany or Italy? And for that matter, would you even know? You see, even EUROWATCH is only fully effective when it is used as part of an integrated plan. How can police response be requested if there is no one who knows your truck has been hit? How much help can be provided if no-one knows where your truck is or the driver was taken out before he could raise the alarm because there was no additional security on their cab?
Stopping
Do you have a route plan, or areas approved for rest stops? Do you even know that your drivers are suing them? Insecure parking is plentiful in Europe and that’s the problem. Although EU projects such as SETPOS are starting the ball rolling towards widespread secure truck parks, there is still a greater demand than availability. Even then, how do you know your drivers are following the plan, does your security plan include geo-fencing, movement alerts, or motion sensors in the trailer? You may or may not know that up to 70% of all reported freight crime involves attacks on the vehicle at static locations.
There are several publications that alert vehicle owners to the dangers of certain places and routes. Do you or your drivers know where these places are? Do you brief your drivers on the dangers and locations?
Sensible parking, combined with good physical security may just save you from a massive insurance premium increase or even worse.
Knowing the threat
As mentioned above, several organisations provide clues as to what is happening, where and how often. Does your security plan take these into consideration? Do your drivers know what to do if they are attacked? Do they know what techniques are favoured in different places? Good understanding of the threat and its locations, properly briefed to the drivers may be as good as any GPS tracking system.
Security must make sense
That’s the main focus really, it must make sense – it must be economical and effective but allow your company to function. A fully integrated and flowing security process will assist you in doing that a lot more easily than several, cumbersome and independent security measures that don’t quite fit together. Maybe you will save money by buying them one at a time, but they will not be as effective as a planned integration.
There is no sense having the world’s best door if it doesn’t fit in the frame and no-one knows how the locks work.
Integrated security is not a dirty word Blackadder! Hijack, now that’s a positively filthy word!