NO. 1 2010 - Securitas

solving any of these problems
begins with a big
picture view of the global
risks that your business faces,
and a system of continuous
security management practices
that match quality programs.
While this may seem obvious,
Bruce Wimmer, CPP, director of
Consulting, Pinkerton Consulting
& Investigations (C&I) suggests
that the idiosyncrasies of global
transactions often create mazes
and mysteries, making continuous
quality control next to impossible.
“Global corporations need a secure
supply chain to help protect their
assets and profitability,” says
Wimmer. Once it is realized
that ongoing success depends
on well-trained employees and
suppliers having the means to
identify threats at their point of
origin, or weak links in the chain,
you are already ahead.
“Our job is to help top management
meet or exceed their
objectives and sleep soundly
at night, because security is
continuously evolving for the
better all along the chain,”
Wimmer continued.
progress at
the point of origin
If your business imports products,
finished goods, components or
parts into the United States that
are critical to your operations,
you should become an active
partner with the U.S. government
under the Customs-Trade
Partnership Against Terrorism
(C-TPAT) program. Pinkerton C&I
has been a part of the C-TPAT
program since its inception and
because of this association is
uniquely qualified and experienced
in assisting businesses
that want to participate in the
C-TPAT program.
According to Carl Roe, manager,
Global Supply Chain Security
with Pinkerton C&I, who held
senior positions with U.S.
Customs for over 35 years,
“Border control took a decisive
leap ahead when we realized
that national boundaries are
best protected when the focus
moves to the supply chain
before the U.S. border, starting
at the point of origin. When
systems and procedures to
protect your products, your
people, and your customers
originate at the starting point,
it’s only logical that you have
fewer worries at the border.
Just as the right packaging is a
critical asset in the protection of
goods, the right security package
is equally valuable.”
Pinkerton C&I is a good fit for
U.S.-based global companies,
large and small, as their partner
in the C-TPAT and as a comprehensive
supply-chain security
resource. They also play an
active role in the World Customs
Organization (WCO) efforts to
standardize supply chain
security requirements, and
recognition of foreign supply
chain security programs, such
as the Authorized Economic
Operator (AEO) initiatives.
“For a modest investment,
smaller customers gain from
our broad range of experience
developed on behalf of major
corporations,” explains Roe.
“Since 9/11, remarkable progress
has been made in keeping
weapons of mass destruction
and terrorists from potentially
disrupting commerce and
normal life in American cities,”
Roe continues. “In only eight
years the C-TPAT has brought
together government, law
enforcement, businesses,
bruce Wimmer’s
Management tips
to sleep soundly
y Know and evaluate all potential threats; the
effectiveness of existing security (vulnerability);
and potential adverse business impact
(consequences) — know the risk.
y Determine appropriate security approaches that
are risk-based.
y Know all your business partners — up and down
the supply chain.
y Require all partners to comply with minimal
security standards.
y Audit partners and their partners — know how well
they comply.
y Conduct financial due diligence.
y Focus on people — with tailored education and
awareness training programs that let people know
what is expected of them, what to watch for and
how to report concerns.
y Do background investigations.
y Have good physical security … including access
control and thorough audit trails of everyone
entering/exiting a facility/complex.
y Use technology as a tool, but do not expect
technology to solve all issues.
y Document and constantly track all conveyances
used in transport; have redundant methods to
immediately detect a problem; build in delay
mechanisms; have an ability to respond to
any problem.
y Build redundancy into your supply chain
process and ensure business continuity issues
are addressed.
WWW.securitasinc.coM 23