Original content supplied by J.J. Coughlin and SC-ISAC. Additions made by AMAROK.
Labor Day is looming. If you’re thinking beach trips and backyard barbecues — don’t get too comfortable. Labor Day weekends are notorious for cargo theft spikes, leaving trucking, warehouse and fleet companies most vulnerable.
You could be robbed of more than a good time this holiday without proper security measures in place.
To prepare, we are urging the entire SC-ISAC membership to discuss perimeter security and review their security procedures and protocols. Below is a list of suggestions to help maintain the integrity.
For Facilities:
- Check security alarm and surveillance systems to ensure proper working order.
- Test security systems — including Electric Guard Dog — to ensure that the entire system is functioning and that monitoring company(ies) are receiving signals.
- If there is a fault in your Electric Guard Dog system, skilled technicians are available 24/7 for troubleshooting on the phone. In many situations, issues can be resolved within a day.
- Ensure batteries are fresh in exit doors and in backup cellular phones (used to maintain alarm reporting, if phone lines are compromised).
- Perform perimeter checks, look at your electric fence, non-electrified fence, and other types of barriers to ensure they are properly secured.
- Check perimeter lighting to ensure lights are on and replace any non-working fixtures. Review timer so that lights come on while facility is closed.
- Use a non-integrated alarm backup system with verified response capabilities.
- Ensure company alarm call list is current and contains valid phone numbers. Require responsible persons to respond to all alarm calls even if the system is suspected of malfunctioning.
- Contact law enforcement and ask for additional patrols in the area.
- Remove keys from all warehouse equipment (forklifts) and place them in a secure location.
For Freight In-Transit:
- If you have to leave your rig or loaded trailer unattended, look for a secure lot or authorized location to leave vehicles.
- If forced to leave vehicles at a public facility (truck stop, etc.), pick one that is well lit and utilizes surveillance equipment. Park within view of the camera.
- Secure the tractor and trailer with a steering wheel locking device, kingpin locks, glad-hand locks (or other security equipment). Put industrial strength padlocks on trailer doors.
- Do NOT leave keys inside tractor.
- Check on the unattended vehicles as frequently as possible.
Be smart, be safe, be secure.
Don’t leave your sites and employees vulnerable this holiday week — Contact AMAROK today for a free site security evaluation.
