AIR CARGO SECURITY:

Best Air Cargo Security Practices
�� Since inspecting 100% of air cargo is currently impossible due to to
limited
technology and infrastructure, “flow of commerce” and finite resources, resources,
many
experts agree that the most practical approach is based on a risk-management
ris management
technique which enables the authorities to identify high-security high security risk shipments
on which to concentrate control.
�� Selected best practices to enhance cargo security:
– Procedures to ensure physical security of air cargo facilities and and
operations (e.g.,
periodic inspections and oversight of air cargo facilities, providing providing
training for air
cargo personnel, and increasing control over access to aircraft and cargo facilities)
– Advance electronic information requirement: information that allows allows
identification of
high-risk high risk consignments as early as possible in the supply chain
– Government-Business Government Business Partnerships, the “Authorized Economic Operator” and
“Secure Supply Chain” Concepts: Based on the assumption that accredited accredited
service
providers present a lower risk, they would benefit from less controls controls
and fewer
delays. The issue of adequacy of procedures for auditing and monitoring monitoring
“known
shippers” and the lack of a basis for mutual recognition of authorized authorized
status. The
“secure supply chain” means that the cargo is properly protected from interference
at every stage of its transportation. The underlying idea is that that
the supply chain is as
secure as its weakest link and a desire d degree of security in transport can be
achieved only by targeting the entire supply chain.