Advanced VMS and Analytics
Improving blockchain workflows for the shipping industry
- By Aluisio Figueiredo
- Aug 01, 2019
The shipping industry is being tasked to
improve productivity, increase speed of
operations and mitigate risk from new and
potentially devastating forms of attack from
both external and internal potential threats.
To help alleviate these issues, new VMS
solutions with intelligent analytics specifically designed for the
shipping and logistics industries have been developed to provide
invaluable data to fuel the relatively new blockchain trend. Blockchain
is essentially an information filing system that stores encrypted
data.
Wikipedia defines a blockchain as a growing list of records,
called blocks, which are linked using cryptography. Each block
contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp,
and transaction data. By design, a blockchain is resistant
to modification of data. It is “an open, distributed ledger that can
record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable
and permanent way.”
A blockchain is managed by a peer-to-peer network collectively,
and the data in any given block cannot be altered retroactively
without alteration of all subsequent blocks, requiring consensus
of the network majority. Although blockchain records are not
unalterable, blockchains may be considered secure by design.
Given the nature of its design, blockchain enables the creation
of tamper-proof, highly robust databases which can be read
and updated only by those with permission. This provides the
shipping industry with a very precise, secure and comprehensive
means of tracking and managing shipments from their point of
origination through delivery to a final destination.
Intelligent Security Systems (ISS) is developing advanced
VMS and analytics solutions specifically designed to supplement
blockchain technology for the shipping and logistics industries.
The benefits include the accurate recognition of shipping container
ISO codes to verify ownership, points of origin, intended
destination and contents; as well as visual inspection of shipping
containers to monitor for damage. With the ability to recognize
license plate numbers and characters on shipping containers as
well as train cars, analytics can accurately allow this data to be
captured and merged together to ensure the selected transportation
mode can be easily tracked and located in the event of a
missing container.
It is important to ensure that when handling sensitive information
or data there are robust cybersecurity measures being
used. Logistic managers or custom officials can use a variety of
technologies to ensure secure data processing:
- Secure HTTPS connection to all cameras with tunneling both
video and audio
- Digital signature of all exported files using digital certificates
to verify the authenticity and source of exported files
- Encryption of all data stored on a secure server’s hard drives
Advanced visual inspection and analytics solutions help to
eliminate manual errors through seamless integration with Terminal
Operation Systems, facilitating data flow processing for
seaport operations with blockchain backbone. They are also
ideally suited for implementation at other critical shipment
points including: weigh stations to link the weight of the cargo,
streamlining gate operations; border and customs control
points to provide visual inspection and automation of container
processing, saving time and resources; and for general loss prevention
along shipment routes to detect container tampering
and prevent theft, helping to document and limit shipping companies’
liability claims.
ISS developed its innovative SecurOS Cargo Terminal Solution
to enhance security at critical shipping locations and supplement
data collection by providing remote visual inspection of
cargo containers and control of vehicles which carry containers.
The solution is built around a highly specialized video analytics
module designed to recognize ISO codes on cargo containers, and
is capable of capturing codes printed horizontally or vertically
from above, back and either side of a container to take advantage
of existing surveillance and IP infrastructure.
To satisfy the demands of the shipping and logistics community,
the cargo container number recognition functionality incorporates
a host of powerful features. One of the most utilitarian
features is the ability to integrate with existing logistics and terminal
management systems to automate gate operations and truck,
train and crane container handling, which further improves workflows
and enhances personnel efficiencies. It also supports a number
of different recognition environments where trucks, cranes
and forklifts are typically deployed, as well as hand-held devices
for staff working in these areas. The system can read ISO codes,
in addition to other special coding methods such as ILU, Kemler
and ADR, from different angles. The multiple video sources are
then coordinated internally in the system to ensure high levels
of accuracy. Video from these cameras can also be exported for
documentation and forensic analysis.
Container number recognition solutions employing advanced
analytics will continue to grow in intelligence with
emerging advancements in neural network technology, which
provide the framework for different machine learning algorithms
to work together and process complex data inputs. For
example, an intelligent container number recognition and management
solution can be trained to identify images that contain
specific symbols such as company logos by analyzing images
from a dataset of examples.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2019 issue of Security Today.