We realize that many NTA customers and users are very active in the broader supply chain and are providing transportation services to international shippers and forwarders. Because of the growing demands on companies throughout the supply chain to develop and maintain security programs it is becoming very common for shippers to require that their business partners have some kind of security profile. Our goals in providing this service to the NTA community are:
- To offer a resource in basic info and knowledge about the supply chain security programs.
- To help transportation companies upgrade their security profile so they can qualify to compete in this market.
- To provide a marketing platform for companies to promote their services to the broader international supply chain.
What is supply chain security?
Supply chain security refers to the overall effort to strengthen and secure the logistics supply chain. A basic goal of any security program is to prevent the introduction of weapons of terror, including weapons of mass destruction, from entering the supply chain.
US Customs started the concept of an organized supply chain security program with the introduction of CTPAT (Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) in November of 2001. At that time, there were only seven importers who signed up for the pilot project. Today, there are over 10,000 certified U.S. companies participating in CTPAT.
US Customs has worked tirelessly with other governments to spread the principles of CTPAT throughout the international supply chain. Today, there are 42 countries that have their own version of CTPAT, administering to over 10,000 certified participates worldwide.
The principles of CTPAT have spread to other government agencies, including TSA, which administers several programs related to the screening and control of air cargo.
In the US, there are two major supply chain security programs:
- CTPAT (Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) - This program is administered by CBP (Customs and Border Protection) and applies to import cargo only.
- CCSP (Certified Cargo Screening Program) - This program is administered by TSA and applies to export and domestic cargo that is tendered to an air carrier for booking onto a passenger flight.
How does this all relate to NTA?
Members and subscribers might be able to benefit by becoming qualified to participate in this secure supply chain market. Many NTA subscribers are probably already participating in this market and might be able to benefit by promoting their secure services in the Secure Shipper Directory.
What is the Secure Shipper Directory?
The Secure Shipper Directory is a new and unique service for the international supply chain. Simply put, it is a directory that allows users to search for and find business partners who are certified secure or, if not certified, do have some minimal internal security qualifications.
A Secure Shipper Directory listing gives you the marketing platform to promote your company, describe your services and facilities, post security documents, list your associations, memberships, awards, etc.
To see a sample of a directory listing -
CLICK HERE
Not certified? No internal security program? Secure Shipper can help you upgrade your security profile so you can start marketing your company as a non-certified business partner. Contact Secure Shipper for more information.
Who uses the Secure Shipper Directory?
1. Importers
- Looking for transportation agents, suppliers and brokers worldwide
- Screening agents for security certifications and qualifications
2. Shippers
- Looking for transportation agents worldwide
- Promoting their services to the international trade community, importers and logistics agents
3. Forwarders
- Looking for transportation agents worldwide
- Promoting their services to the international trade community
- Trying to "Be Found" by prospective customers and agents
4. Trucking companies
- Looking for agents to provide regional services
- Promoting their services to TSA, CTPAT, AEO or other certified forwarders and shippers
What are the benefits of listing in the Directory?
With a listing in the Secure Shipper Directory, your company will be seen as a resource for certified members of the secure supply chain worldwide.
How will Secure Shipper help you "upgrade" your security profile?
Many companies are not eligible or not ready to undertake a complete certification program. This doesn't mean that you can't participate in the secure supply chain. Most certified companies know that they will have to rely on non-certified business partners to provide certain services for them. Secure Shipper has a membership type just for you. The industry standard for helping non-certified companies provide services in the secure supply chain is the Security Questionnaire. We will work with you to complete the Secure Shipper Security Questionnaire and post it on your profile.
What is required of my company?
Use the Security Questionnaire as a guide to develop your own internal security program. You are probably closer than you think towards operating a secure facility. Many of the elements of a supply chain security program are based on common business sense. Following are a few key parts of any basic security program:
- Do you check new employees’ references?
- Do you have locked facilities that are secure against intruders?
- Do you require visitors to sign in when entering the office?
- Do you screen your vendors?
- Do you have written procedures for document processing by employees?
- Do you assign system passwords to your employees and change them periodically?