Logistics companies are now particularly targeted by malicious organizations of all stripes. Indeed, this sector of activity provides them with several tactical and strategic operational possibilities and does not offer a level or a security culture capable of countering these actions.
The supply chain is thus located in the high percentages of targeting by malicious organizations (terrorism / banditry / scams & frauds etc.) due to its low risk / benefit ratio on malicious actions by these same entities.
It represents a privileged target for professionalized players, who take advantage of its lack of safety culture and who provide it with solid training or field experience.
It is a major point of interest for terrorist organizations.
Defined as the illegal use of force against people or property with the aim of intimidating or coercing a government or a civilian population, terrorism considers supply chains and related operators as a potentially strategic element for its actions, both in the disruption capabilities of supply chains and in its facilitation capabilities to transport potentially disruptive or targeted human or technical elements.
Recent analysis of 80,000 terrorist incidents (global scope) shows that supply chains are targeted by terrorist organizations at least once every 7 days, on average.
These attacks target supply flows, strategic transport (energy, national operators or operators identified with particular countries, etc.), transport infrastructure, including hubs or even strategic sites linked to identified targets (airport areas). , ports etc…).
Logistics is therefore an essential target.
From a supply chain perspective, the consequences of a terrorist act at locations such as airports, ports and railways are not much different from those caused by natural disasters. Therefore, anticipation and preparation efforts should be similar.
Attacks on supply chains can take many forms, some examples of which include:
– diversion of materials falling within the scope of the design of explosive devices (diversion of fertilizers, chemicals, pyrotechnic materials, etc.)
– diversion/sabotage of strategic and/or high value-added materials (military supplies, sensitive technology, etc.),
– sabotage of cargo for primary needs (food, medicines, etc.)
– supply chain sabotage towards a potential target,
– infiltration of malicious/unidentified personnel to allow illicit circulation & trafficking,
– money laundering for malicious purposes,
– Circulation of illicit goods/personnel (terrorist operators, weapons, drugs, explosives, etc.)
– Injection of parcel bombs into urban distribution circuits,
– Theft/hijacking of vehicles and freight for terrorist purposes (ram cars, etc.)
Added to these risks are those linked to banditry which is often linked to terrorism in the sector as a facilitator / supplier / supplier.
Furthermore, by the very nature of their activity, logistics companies sometimes work for sensitive and “interesting” components in terms of targeting value for malicious people (military logistics, pharmaceuticals, etc.).
They are also most often located in or near “value added” sites for these same people/organizations: near or in airports, near sensitive locations (refineries, military installations, etc.).
Finally, the relatively low margin on the transport of products makes the implementation of high security sometimes delicate even though the nature of the products transported (luxury, electronics, etc.) is likely to attract the attention of malicious people. significant based on low-risk theft of goods and sometimes encouraged/facilitated internally via various media.
This particular sector of activity thus offers several tactical and strategic operational possibilities, which can be used for malicious purposes.
It is therefore necessary and essential to adapt to the different spectrums of threat, in particular by applying training and specific actions within the company in order to reduce the level of risks.
Let us remember here that controlling and understanding risks is a legal necessity for companies.
Articles L. 4121-1 to 3 and R. 4121-1 and 2 of the Labor Code oblige the employer, via the general safety obligation incumbent on him, to assess possible risks and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and protect the health of its company's employees. safety
This of course involves evaluating one's own level of internal security, the risks relating to one's activity and the fact of integrating that one's security rests on all the links in one's internal chain, particularly the weakest, which are appropriate. to strengthen. safety
Read all the « Expert Opinion » articles on the SprintProject blog
