In the first quarter of 2019, there was relatively little change in the number of supply chain thefts compared to 2018. There were 132 in 2018 and 131 in 2019. Fast forward to 2020, a year completely disrupted by the COVID-19 global pandemic, and that number jumps over 50 percent to 197 cargo thefts during the same time.
At the onset of the virus, there was a shift in focus to health and safety. Rightfully so. However, in doing so, experts feared that securing cargo was becoming less of a priority.
A recent CargoNet analysis uncovered a surge in the targeting of high-demand goods like gloves, medicine and groceries. That same study noted an increase in fictitious cargo pickup activity. Fictitious pickups involve truck drivers using fake IDs or businesses to steal or divert cargo. By the time the logistics company realizes they aren’t dealing with legitimate truck drivers, it’s too late. The shipment has already been stolen.
So why the increase in activity? According to CargoNet, there are a few issues.
Any time there is a disruption in the supply chain, it has ripple effects. That makes it crucial for everyone involved to do their part in helping to safeguard cargo. An article from Coyote, a division of UPS, cites several security best practices.
When it comes to proactively reducing and deterring cargo theft, one solution stands out. Live video monitoring works in real time, to catch activity as it happens. Trained security operators monitor live surveillance cameras to watch for suspicious activity. If they see anything, they can act immediately.
In addition to advanced security protection and the ability to better manage and mitigate risk and liability, Stealth’s customized solution offers gate and access control. This cost-effective way to replace security guards provides:
Cargo theft seems to be on the rise, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, with so many critical supplies being transported, it’s important to take extra steps to help protect vulnerable cargo.
For more information about a proactive security solution for your distribution and logistics business, contact us.
Posted in: Crime Prevention, Video Security Systems, Security Guards & Savings, Security Tips, Video Monitoring