The alarming increase in illegal, criminal and dishonest activities throughout the world means that more stringent and positive action is needed to protect the environment in which we live.  This has led to the introduction of many "high-tech" products and systems, invariably expensive and often the target for sophisticated interference. Fortunately there are some practical forms of security, which are very simple, easy-to-use and offer an extremely cost effective form of protection. Safety requirements for transport and warehousing of goods have been continuously increasing over the last few years. Security Seals are the first step towards more safety.

Security seals play a vital role in national and international safeguards. Security seals, also known as tamper-indicating devices, are meant to leave unambiguous, non-erasable evidence of unauthorised access. Our experience and technical knowledge at Safcon has led to the development of a unique new range of most reliable security seals which offer a precise solution to many security and protection related problems. By combining the benefits of special materials and security features, together with a clear understanding of a customer's requirements, Safcon Security seal technology is unsurpassed. 

The Safcon new range of security seals is simple-to-use, low cost and offers appropriate seals for every application. For example, our double lock container seal has been developed to provide highest security containers, trucks to substitute to ordinary bolt container seal. The double lock container seal is specifically designed for trucks, containers, vehicle doors, involved in transportation of raw materials and finished goods. It’s carefully researched design double locking with anti-spin feature to prevent tampering. It includes a serial number and security ID on each of the two parts of the seal, which allows for the immediate identification of tampering. The most rugged and barrier metal Bolt container seals are impossible to remove without the aid of special 24" bolt cutter.

Another new from Safcon is cable seal, an inexpensive, weather resistant, high-security seal that requires no tools for installation. It is supplied with a break off screw to secure the cable seal. Standard seals are engraved with ID codes and sequential numbers to customer’s own requirements. Cable Seals are available in, red, green, black, blue, silver and gold, with variable lengths of cable as per customers’ specific requirements. Cable Seal is ideal for protecting food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, and wastes in transit, in plant and tank-truck valves. Cable Seals are flexible and can be used anywhere/everywhere. 

Other effective locking devices included in the new range of seals are Ball-lok. Minitite, Padlock, Pull tight, Hasp-lok, fixed length, Anchor wire security seals, which are most reliable and very cost-effective to protect product packaging and industrial security. 

An International customer's remark was interesting and useful which I would like to share with you. "All the seal manufacturers are pretty good at coming up with snazzy devices, but many aren't appropriate to our needs. We don't need something that's labour intensive, because our labour's very expensive. We don't want all kinds of electronic doodads. It's like you needed to go around the corner in your car, and someone offered you a satellite guidance system. They're great device, I marvel at the technology, but we wouldn't use them." 

Security personnel are a good investment. It's very important to have a person dedicated to security. Some of the largest companies don't have this. But even in a downsized security department that consists of "one guy with 15 jobs instead someone solely dedicated to security," it is still worthwhile to keep your eyes open.

When you pass one of your trucks, on occasions check to see what's on it. Remember that 80 percent of all cargo theft is employee-related; they're stealing it themselves or giving out the information to thieves. 

What's the pay-off for paying attention to the little stuff? So much theft could be prevented by following real simple procedures. Just follow the procedures and you'll eliminate half the crime.

1. Kept in secure place?

2. Adequate control and issuance? Is logbook maintained?

3. Check rail ramps - seals checked?

Other ... Are broken seals disposed of properly?

Seals are tamper-indicating devices used to detect and report unauthorised entry. They provide deterrent against, an indication of, tampering, pilferage and unauthorised entry. Once locked in position, seals cannot be removed except by destructive means and broken seals cannot be re-assembled or re-used. Unlike intrusion or burglar alarms, seals report unauthorised entry after the fact. They must be inspected to determine if unauthorised access has taken place. A seal does not need to physically resist entry and the purpose of a seal is to reveal evidence of entry. Customised Seals with serial numbering and company logo/name must be used to enhance security level.

An efficient security system not only requires well trained and trustworthy staff but also a highly reliable seal, manufactured by companies who are at the forefront in the fight against cargo tampering and who understand the continually evolving and ever more ingenious methods used by thieves to steal cargo. This calls for continuous cooperation and partnership between the end users and the manufacturers of security seals in order to achieve the desired result, that is, the total integrity of cargo in transit. The effectiveness of seals is strongly dependent on the proper protocols for using them. These protocols are the official and unofficial procedures used for seal procurement, storage, record keeping, installation, inspection, removal, disposal, reporting, interpreting findings, and training. With a good protocol, a modest seal can provide excellent security. On the other hand, a sophisticated seal used poorly may be worse than useless if naively trusted. 

Our several years of experience in security seal business have led us to formulate some generic suggestions for optimizing the security and reliability of security seals. The following report is designed to educate a seal user in developing the correct systems and procedures in order to stop pilferage and theft.

Ordering: One person should only be responsible for buying the protective seals. All seal orders should originate from the head office or a pre-determined ordering location. The seal manufacturers should be instructed to ship the seals to a specific person's attention of either the head office or another designated location. In addition to consecutive numbering, the company name or initials should be embossed onto each seal to make it absolutely unique. Each terminal or transfer facility should be coded by number and/or color.

Storage: All seals and security devices should be kept in a controlled area in order to prevent unauthorised people from obtaining them for illegal use.

Maintain one logbook for outbound seal recording and a separate log book for inbound seal recording. If the driver is not part of the shippers' organization, the goods inventory count and the seal application should be made in the presence of the shippers' representative. The driver will note on the bill of loading or on the shipping order the seal number and colour applied of the shippers' dock.

In order to maintain control over your sealing system, all seals must be properly applied and checked by a security person. Select a proper seal based on destination, value and susceptibility to theft. A high security seal may be required. The following procedures for application should be used: 

Should it be necessary to break a seal before its arrival of the final destination, the following information should be recorded, especially at highway weigh stations:

The broken seal report must be filled with the terminal manager and/or the security officer of the outbound terminal, regardless of how far the driver is from the point of origin.

In order to ensure the integrity of a seal before its removal, a physical check must be made. The following procedures for seal removal are recommended:

The following steps may be taken to reinforce the seal control program and discourage the would-be pilferers:

….   

Conventional metal seals or plastic seals are not always effective. The development of heavy duty, self-locking and serially numbered cable seals or heavy metal Bolt Container Seal locks arose to provide physical security as well as seal integrity. The use of high security cable seal locks/heavy metal Bolt Container Seal are recommended for the following areas:

Security seals should be viewed as only one part of an overall security or verification program. In conclusion, it is advisable in the interest of the shippers and the transporters that a system should be immediately adopted for use of appropriate type and variety of the tamper evident and barrier security seals in warehouses and transportation of any cargo irrespective of value in all road transport, courier, train, ship, airfreight, truck, trailer, tractor, wagon cargos to combat with and to substantially reduce cargo theft, pilferage and adulteration. In choosing a seal, it is important to bear in mind that unit cost is not always the most decisive economic factor associated with using a seal, nor is cost necessarily well correlated with the level of security a seal can provide. It is important to choose the right seal with the reliable seal manufacturers.

Rajesh Kumar Banka is Managing Director of Safcon Seals Pvt Ltd, Calcutta and has two decade’s experience in security seal business. Safcon is pioneer and leading manufacturers and exporters of High Performance Tamper indicating and Barrier Security Seals. He can be reached by email at rajesh@safcon.co.in.