The terrorist attacks on the office of satirical publication Charlie Hebdo in Paris caused security threat levels at many of the world’s airports and public spaces to rise to the highest levels. This is where most security resources are used because historically, it makes sense. Most terrorist targets have been airports, train stations, open market places and schools.
But while transportation and public spaces should remain areas of high focus, ports and terminals are areas that need equal security attention. The twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are perfect examples. The size, complexity and economic significance of operations at the two largest ports in North America are overwhelming.
Five years ago, a typical cargo ship carried approximately 8,000 containers. Now, the largest ships carry in excess of 19,000 containers. Because of this, many of the world’s busiest ports have seen the number of containers more than double. Shanghai handled 14m teu in 2004; in 2014, that number more than doubled to over 32m teu. The Port of Los Angeles, one of the 20 busiest ports in the world, handled more than 8m teu last year.
Cargo ships carry food, clothing, oil and gas, chemical supplies, automobiles, furniture, and electronics; goods that are essential and needed in the every-day lives of people around the world. From the US, outbound ships carry crucial goods to US military personnel and others throughout the world. A disruption would cause a major crisis to the US economy and national security.
The same threats that could take out an airport could also take out a port; for example, weapons of mass destruction, an insider attack or a lone wolf operating off the radar. Protecting ports 24 hours a day, seven days a week requires vigilant commitment to physical and network security.
Looking ahead
The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have taken heed. They’ve invested millions of dollars in an intelligent surveillance system, increasing the number of security cameras tenfold. But it’s not as simple as just adding cameras. Physical Security Information Management software is essential software that is needed to control and manage components such as cameras, lasers, infrared, and radar hardware. A well built surveillance solution includes programmable logic controllers for metering supplies, access control, RFID, building automation, GPS location services, perimeter intrusion detection, fire detection and video analytics.
However, security and systems are only as good as the people implementing the technology. Understanding those systems and managing them correctly is the only way to get the maximum benefit and return. A port operator cannot wait for the worst-case scenario to happen before taking action; every port operator needs to conduct a serious risk assessment of security.
My advice? Generate a comprehensive threat analysis then invest in an intelligent surveillance system and a secure network infrastructure.
Chris Kyaw is project director at VectorUSA’s ports and logistics unit. VectorUSA designs, builds and maintains efficient, effective and secure data, voice and video networks.
