Plugging the holes in shipping (securing ports, containers against terrorists)

Federal Computer Week ^ | May 31 | Dibya Sarkar

[FairOpinion]

Plugging the holes in shipping Federal, state and local officials work to secure ports

Therefore, it is no surprise that port authority officials are relying significantly on various technologies, including intelligent surveillance systems and smart cards, to help protect the more than 1,000 acres the port sits on and the thousands of people who pass through its gates.

Ports are increasingly using technologies, such as electronic seals on cargo containers, smart video camera systems and radiological detectors to improve information sharing and protect facilities and cargo.

[FairOpinion]

Long, but informative article.

Another one to read:

Freight containers at risk of terror attack-report

PARIS, May 27 (Reuters) - Freight containers remain at risk of a terror attack and government and transport authorities must improve security, especially at inland locations, an OECD report said on Thursday.

Terrorists could intercept a legitimate consignment and tamper with it, or develop legitimate trading identities to ship dangerous goods in a "Trojan horse" scenario, said the report by the OECD and the European Conference of Ministers of Transport.

[FairOpinion]

I just saw your post about container risk.

Thought you'd be interested in this article.

[snopercod]

There's this Canadian company "Bulldog Technologies" [BLLD-OTC:BB] that claims to have a solution for monitoring cargo. The company has never made a dime, and used to be a mining company in Nevada. Caveat emptor applies.

[FairOpinion]

Interesting.

The idea to secure the containers at their origin, instead of waiting to inspect them when they are already in the US has merit. I think the US has been working with other countries to do that.

Then there is the issue of tampering with them in route.

If Bulldog Technologies can figure it out, I am sure some bigger companies can too.

Ultimately, I think multiple methods need to be used.

[janetgreen]

I have forwarded their website to (hopefully) interested politicians in California.

[AnimalLover]

Ping

[sionnsar]

Ports are increasingly using technologies, such as...

Seal the ports up tight, but leave the borders wide open...?

[snopercod]

Supposedly, Bulldog's technology addresses the issue of tampering enroute. That could be as simple as a door switch, but we don't really know because their website is silent on how it works. All they say is "satellite based".

That means it probably doesn't work in tunnels.