Cargo theft is no joke. According to the National Cargo Security Council (NCSC), studies show that the global financial impact of cargo loss is around $50 billion each year.
Although technology continues to advance, further heightening security measures, thieves are becoming more sophisticated as well. It’s always important to stay on top of the game when shipping goods. Here are our 8 best tips to help your supply chain stay protected.
1. Before using a particular route, check up on the rest stops along the way for records on burglaries. Fictitious pickups are becoming more common, so if a rest stop has been experiencing stolen vehicles, you can warn your drivers to avoid it.
2. Always make sure that your fleet is well maintenanced and security equipment is up to date. Check the locks and remind drivers to always lock up, no matter what.
3. Truck drivers should avoid parking in dark, empty lots. Thieves stake out these areas because there is less risk of having their identity exposed.
4. Avoid shipping over the weekend. This is when thieves have the most time to go about unnoticed until Monday, when employees come to work and discover missing cargo.
5. Do your homework on the types of cargo most at risk for theft. That can help you tighten up security even more. Electronics, pharmaceuticals and seafood are a few of the goods thieves love to get their hands on.
.6. Don’t talk too much! When shipping expensive cargo, keep the drop off locations as disclosed as possible.
7. Hold a training seminar for your truck drivers or attend one yourself. The first step to avoid theft is by keeping up to date on the latest trends and technology.
8. Hide the GPS inside of all trucks. The first thing a thief does when he breaks into a rig is disable the device within seconds.
