Security and Transportation and Logistics Management, Essay Example

Security is an important facet of business today, and is also integrated into transportation and logistics management. There are a number of security measures that are currently in place. The most prominent is the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). This is a voluntary program run by the US Customs and Border Protection (CB) that aims ate improving border and supply chain security (Patridge, 2012). The Maritime Transportation and Security Act of 2002 is regarded as the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code.

Most of the security measures that have been put in place have been quite successful. C-PTAT has successfully increased and enhanced its partnerships with the private import trade sector. By creating cooperation between the public and private logistics sector, the CBP has developed an intricate network that enhances security against the ever looming threat of terrorism. However, it continues to face a number of challenges when it comes to verifying security practices.

The continuous process improvements poses a number of challenges to transportation and logistics management. Owing to the nature of the continuous threat that the American ideology faces, terrorism is a constantly mutating variable. Terrorists employ more technical ways to smuggle in potentially dangerous cargo, making it continuously challenging to maintain effective security verification processes.

The security measures employed by the government and other independent private institutions considerably influence transportation and logistics management. One of the most significant by-products of the measures is the creation of a security network that involves public institutions as well as private businesses. Such measures have the significant advantage of reduced possibility of interruption of trade (Rodrigue, Comtois, & Slack, 2006). With improved security, there is the lesser need to thoroughly screen all cargo originating from a certified and secured point of origin.

References

Patridge, A. R. (2012, January 20). Scrutinizing Supply Chain Security. Retrieved July 1, 2015, from Inbound Logistics: http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/scrutinizing-supply-chain-security/

Rodrigue, J.-P., Comtois, C., & Slack, B. (2006). The geography of transport systems. New York: Routedge. Retrieved July 1, 2015, from http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch9en/conc9en/ch9c4en.html