How physical security helps mitigate supply chain risks

Effective supply chain management is the core pillar behind the operations of nearly every prominent industry. Organizations of all sizes depend on the successful execution of logistics to deliver products and services on time and meet business growth targets.

However, the rapidly evolving global security landscape poses new threats to the supply chain. While a rising number of cyber attacks have dominated security practitioners' concerns, physical risks remain a significant operational threat.

Growing global economic, social and political unrest has led individuals or groups to engage in physical attacks on supply chains, such as theft or vandalism, to damage or disrupt operations for their own ends. Any compromise to an organization's ability to function can have far-reaching economic and social consequences.

Identifying today's supply chain threats

Physical security is just as crucial as bolstering cyber defenses against today's constantly evolving supply chain threats. Implementing measures to help mitigate physical risks is now a vital part of an organization's security strategy.

Identifying the leading physical supply chain threats today can help determine the actions needed to build an effective security plan. Primary risks include transport network vulnerabilities, insider attacks and protecting the integrity of goods.

Given that 90% of global merchandise shipping is by sea, organizations will need to take proactive action to manage the risks posed by attacks on transport lanes. Maintaining comprehensive oversight of pivotal supply chain points is also imperative for protecting goods and detecting suspicious activity.

These threats aren't limited to the scenarios above, but help identify the fundamental concerns for the overall supply chain. Operational risks are rising due to increasing physical vulnerabilities, made more apparent by the expanding sophistication of attacks.

The role of physical security in mitigating supply chain risks

Addressing these growing supply chain vulnerabilities means the role of physical security is more important than ever. Integrating measures for operational risks is a vital part of ensuring your organization meets business targets year after year.

Maintaining constant visual oversight, protecting sensitive areas from unauthorized access and improving detection and response capabilities are the primary areas of physical security that can help manage supply chain risks. Where security teams can identify unusual activity faster and more accurately, they can minimize the impact of various malicious scenarios.

Implementing a series of advanced devices and regular employee training can provide the scalability and adaptability needed to help combat threats in a rapidly changing supply chain security landscape. Where risk planning is vital to supply chain resilience, bolstering physical security technologies can help protect an organization's assets and logistical capabilities.

How technology can help adapt to evolving supply chain security concerns

Technology can play a cardinal role in enhancing physical security measures for the supply chain, where speed, accuracy and versatility matter. Not only do advanced detection features help security teams detect events faster and more accurately, but many modern devices also include features for cybersecurity concerns, such as real-time notifications of functional anomalies in the equipment.

An example of technology that can help address supply chain concerns is video cameras that operate multiple analytics functions simultaneously. The Pelco Sarix Enhanced 4 is a device that can meet the many physical security needs of the supply chain, offering advanced people and vehicle classification and robust defense against cyberattacks.

Modern video cameras can provide the flexibility, scalability and adaptability required to help protect supply chains in today's security climate. However, they are also part of a broader, unified approach to help future-proof your organization against increasingly sophisticated threats.

Mitigating supply chain risks through a unified security approach

A unified security approach of video cameras, access control, detection sensors and data analytics can help improve risk mitigation measures for the supply chain. They can enhance visibility, add protection layers and orchestrate more effective incident response practices.

Improving physical security with a unified approach across your supply chain can not only help manage risks but also help reduce costs, increase productivity and provide better employee support. Ultimately, the strategy provides avenues to help meet business targets in a world marked by increasing socio-economic volatility.

Where cybersecurity in the supply chain is at the forefront of almost every security planner, physical safety should not be down the priority list. Implementing more robust measures can deliver the desired business impact, driving organizational success.

Author
Todd Dunning - Director of Product Management, Video Security & Analytics - Pelco

Pelco is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of predictive video security devices, including security cameras and sensors.

Todd has a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.  He has led numerous R&D, Operations and Marketing teams over 25 years, focused on both hardware and software products spanning several industries. Todd has served for five years on the ONVIF steering committee, directing the strategy for industry standards. During his 20-year tenure at Pelco, Todd has focused primarily on Product Management, responsible for Cameras and Video Management Systems.  Currently, he is focused on integrating Pelco’s cameras and sensors into industry systems outside of the Motorola Solutions family, and AI analytic solutions both at the edge (in camera) and in the cloud.