Information sharing is key in war against syndicates

The freight and logistics industry needs to take a multidisciplinary approach if it wants to effectively curb the increase in hijackings. This is the advice from Ernest Walters, director of International Risk & Security Management (IRSM), who says hijacking incidents are on the increase. “There are several security issues in the freight and logistics industry that need to be addressed to effectively curb hijackings,” he said. “The first is the rate at which hijackings have escalated over the past year. What has made it easier for the syndicates is the easy access they have to information regarding the type of load on the truck, where and when it is being transported and the route it will be taking. The leaking of information regarding routes and cargo has played a major role in this. We need to realise that the syndicates we are dealing with here are sophisticated. They have networks of informants within companies at all levels.” Walters says while there is no quick answer to the problem, a multi-disciplinary approach is needed involving companies working together across industry. “Syndicate operators have become more techno savvy and are increasingly using jammers to jam the signals of tracking devices. This creates a window of opportunity for trucks to be unloaded and moved before operators even realise something is going on,” he said. “Role-players are going to have to start working together and sharing of information.” This will allow for effective plans to be drawn up. “Companies will also need to start doing more internally in terms of vetting staff and being more careful about who they employ. Internal protocols must also be addressed to ensure there is regular change taking place while security measures must also be updated and changed around.” According to Walters it is a good idea to get an external risk management company to look at measures in place from time to time so they can give their independent analysis. INSERT & CAPTION Its a good idea to get an external risk management company to look at measures in place from time to time so they can give their independent analysis. – Ernest Walters