US unveils new global supply chain security strategy

The US has unveiled a new strategy for securing the global supply chain to and from the US,consisting largely of improved coordination between government agencies, private companies, and

The Obama administration’s National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security was revealed bySecretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.She said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was committed to facilitating legitimate tradeand travel, while preventing terrorists from exploiting supply chains, protecting transport systemsfrom attacks and disruptions, and increasing the resilience of global supply chains.

The department insisted that it would include private companies involved with shipping goods infurther development of the strategy, and promised measures that could help minimise duplication ofsome of the current security activities – for example by aligning ‘trusted-trader’ programmerequirements across Federal and international agencies.

Napolitano said: “As a number of recent events have shown us, the global supply chain isdynamic, growing in size and complexity, and is vulnerable to a host of threats and hazards such asnatural disasters, accidents, or even malicious attacks. A common approach, involving the range ofstakeholders with supply chain roles and responsibilities, is necessary.

“The Strategy, focused on the worldwide network of transport, postal, and shipping pathways,assets, and infrastructures – including communications and information infrastructures – is animportant step forward. It provides strategic guidance to departments and agencies within theUnited States Government and identifies our priorities to stakeholders with whom we hope tocollaborate going forward.” 

The DHS and the Department of State now intend to lead a six-month engagement period with theinternational community and industry stakeholders to solicit feedback and specific recommendationson how to implement the Strategy in a cost-effective and collaborative manner. Within 12 months, aconsolidated report on the status of the implementation efforts will be developed.

But the implementation of the Strategy would begin immediately, with the DHS focusing itsefforts on priority action areas identified during the development of the Strategy. These include:
– Aligning Federal activities across the United States Government to the goals of theStrategy;
– Refining understanding of the threats and risks associated with the global supply chainthrough updated assessments;
– Advancing technology research, development, testing, and evaluation efforts aimed atimproving our ability to secure cargo in air, land, and sea environments;
– Identifying infrastructure projects to serve as models for the development of criticalinfrastructure resiliency best practices;
– Seeking opportunities to incorporate global supply chain resiliency goals and objectivesinto the Federal infrastructure investment programs and project assessment process;
– Promoting necessary legislation that supports Strategy implementation by Federaldepartments and agencies;
– Developing, in concert with industry and foreign governments, customized solutions to speedthe flow of legitimate commerce in specific supply chains that meet designated criteria and can beconsidered low-risk;
– And aligning ‘trusted-trader’ programme requirements across Federal agencies.

“We will consider the potential for standardized application procedures, enhancedinformation-sharing agreements, and security audits conducted by joint or cross-designated Federalteams,” the DHS added. “We will also actively engage domestic and international partners to developspecific recommendations in addition to the Federal efforts discussed above, and chart a courseforward for achieving them. We have established a formal process to solicit feedback from the rangeof stakeholders with missions and interests in the global supply chain.” It said the input receivedthrough this process would help develop and prioritize recommendations for implementation of theStrategy.

“In particular, we will garner input from the private sector and state, local, tribal, andterritorial partners through the Cross-Sector Supply Chain Working Group under the CriticalInfrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) framework. We will also work to solicit inputsfrom foreign governments and interested international organizations.”

Napolitano said the DHS had been working with leaders from global shipping companies and theInternational Air Transport Association (IATA) on developing preventative measures, includingterrorism-awareness training for employees and vetting personnel with access to cargo. Fulfilling arequirement of the 9/11 Act, 100% of high-risk cargo on international flights bound for the US isalready being screened.

In addition, through the Container Security Initiative, currently operational in over 50 foreignseaports in Europe, North, Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and throughout Asia,US Customs and Border Protection have been assisting the US’s partner countries identify and screenUS-bound maritime containers before they reach the US.

Napolitano added: “We must continue to strengthen global supply chains to ensure that theyoperate effectively in time of crisis; recover quickly from disruptions; and facilitateinternational trade and travel. As a part of this effort, we look forward to working closely withour international partners in the public and private sector to build a more resilient global supplychain.”

She said the international community had already made significant progress on this front through‘Project Global Shield’, now ‘Programme Global Shield’ – launched by DHS with the World CustomsOrganization, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and Interpol. Programme Global Shield is aninitiative to protect the supply chain by preventing the theft or illegal diversion of precursorchemicals that can be used to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Since November 2010, the 89 participating nations and international organizations have beensharing information about the export of 14 precursor chemicals used in improvised explosive devices(IEDs). As of January 2012, Programme Global Shield has accounted for seizures of chemicalprecursors totalling over 62 metric tonnes and 31 arrests related to the illicit diversion of thesechemicals.