Meeting the Challenge

Air cargo security: Creating multi-layered solutions

Around the world, the shipping and logistics industry has experienced immense operational growth and development. Consumers now expect speedier, more reliable delivery services at the tip of their fingers. In 2018, an estimated 62.5 million tons of cargo will be transported by air; the value of those goods will amount to more than $6.2 trillion and represent 7.4 percent of world GDP.1 As such, the air cargo sector has quickly become a top target for terrorists, as billions of pounds of cargo are transported across the country every day, mostly on commercial passenger flights. In light of this growing threat, there is an immense need in the industry for the most advanced screening tools and capabilities to detect potential explosive threats.

Facing the Challenge

The challenge faced by the cargo industry today is balancing safety concerns and screening requirements against an operational need to minimize business disruption and financial loss. After 9/11, legislation was enacted requiring 100 percent of cargo to be screened at the piece level by TSA approved methods, before being loaded onto a passenger flight. With over 650 million packages shipped globally every day (at a value of $17.8 billion)2, the cargo industry has a critical obligation to protect the public from security threats without hindering operational costs and efficiencies.

For the identification of potential explosive threats, carriers have historically relied on X-ray screening and explosive trace detection, but these technologies have yielded costly inefficiencies. While in years past, billions of dollars and years of research have been spent to develop the best technologies to detect bombs, it has been found that canines are the best and most efficient detectors for explosive devices.3 As canines have proven to be an extremely effective tool in screening high volumes of cargo in a timely and cost effective manner, they represent an integral part of the solution in addressing the cargo industry’s security screening needs.

To create best in class security for air cargo, leading security providers are beginning to use specialized combinations of different solutions, including explosive detection canines and X-ray scanners. Explosive detection canines and their handlers are an extremely effective first line of defense while scanning large amount of cargo. As the primary source of detection, canines have proven to be versatile, speedy and an effective medium for the screening of cargo containers such as pallets and unit loading devices.

With a keen sense of smell, canines possess an unmatched ability to sniff out odors and discern explosive ingredients even when masked with other scents. Creating top-tier canines begins with rigorous training, imprinting canines on all five families of explosives, as well as homemade explosives.

Though not as mobile and agile as canines, X-ray scanners with on-site screeners are a versatile resource for cargo areas and loading docks, enabling the ability to scan and process images as small as a handbag or as large as a tractor-trailer. Comprehensive on-site screener training is paramount to maximizing the effectiveness of Xray scanners for air cargo security.

Thorough initial training teaches screeners how to identify potential threats through basic X-ray interpretation, security checkpoint operations, basic explosives recognition/IED awareness and vehicle search inspection training. Ongoing training is a crucial step, as a way to share on-the-job best practices and to stay current with the ever changing threat landscape.

Many security solutions designed for air cargo can serve multiple applications for the package delivery space, including protecting package sorting facilities, delivery hubs and other enterprise locations where packages are sorted and distributed. In corporate business settings, the combination of a canine’s nose and the technology of X-ray scanners help to avoid misidentification and misinterpretation of suspicious and unusual items that could lead to unnecessary building evacuations or work interruptions.

These business delays or disruptions can be costly; in fact, a fourhour evacuation in a major market is estimated to result in a loss of $1.5 million due to productivity and operational costs.4 Eliminating the misinterpretation of suspicious items with a comprehensive explosive screening solution mitigates the risks and associated liability in connection with potential service delays, business disruption, and unnecessary evacuations—or in the worst situation, the mishandling of a true IED threat.

As the cargo sector continues to be a top target for terrorists, security vigilance is more important than ever. Through the use of effective and efficient screening methods such as the Advanced Alarm Resolution, the cargo industry can take the right steps to ensure the public is protected from security threats without disrupting operational efficiency.

This article originally appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

  • Where AI Meets Human Judgment

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is driving business growth, shaping consumer experiences, and showing up in places most of us never imagined just a few years ago. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.