Learn key manufacturing security best practices to protect your supply chain from threats like theft, sabotage, and cyberattacks.
In 2023, a worker stole thousands of rare Pokémon cards from his job at the Pokémon card printing company, only getting caught when he tried to sell them all at once to a specialized trading card store.
In 2024, pagers exploded in multiple locations in Lebanon, the result of a sophisticated cyberattack paired with a physical breach in the supply chain.
Earlier this year, GitHub, a cloud-based platform used by software developers, saw the loss of trade secrets from countless projects in the supply chain, all starting with a single, small breach.
Acts of sabotage and theft are nothing new to the manufacturing supply chain, but all reports indicate that the problem is growing year after year. Given the variety of businesses and products involved in the manufacturing industry, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to manufacturing security, but the basic best practices are consistent across the board.
Read on for five key manufacturing security best practices.
While many companies use manufacturing supply chains, the products produced range anywhere from trading cards to pickup trucks. With this range comes significant differences in risks and logistics, so it’s vital to seriously analyze the unique set of circumstances faced in your own supply chain.
Analyze where you are most vulnerable both physically and digitally so you can focus on the security measures that are most likely to provide the best protection for your supply chain. Determining your biggest areas of risk can help you know where to implement the highest levels of access control, where to position security cameras, and more.
While you can and should carefully think through potential threats, it’s unlikely you’ll consider every scenario, especially when it comes to less visible or obvious threats like cyber risks. It is a good idea to utilize professionals specifically trained in these fields to help you ensure your supply chain is as secure as possible.
While a strong defense is crucial to security, it’s only half the battle. At some point, a security threat could make it through and severely disrupt operations. While you’ll need to adapt to whatever the specific problem is, having a detailed response strategy already in place can help mitigate some of the losses and downtime.
Create a carefully considered plan for each major category of disruption, including possible alternate suppliers, trade routes, and more. These plans will allow you to quickly respond and resume operations, minimizing revenue loss, reputational damage, and customer frustrations.
The simple act of education and proper procedures can help you avoid a whole host of major issues. While internal acts of malfeasance are certainly possible, employee ignorance can be just as much of a threat to manufacturing security.
Employee training on safe practices and plant security systems, coupled with thought-out security procedures, can make all the difference.
Trainings should include:
You should also conduct regular refresher trainings to keep these topics top of mind and ensure everyone stays up to date.
Procedures to help mitigate risks include:
It’s easiest to spot problems after they’ve already blown up into full disasters, but it’s most effective to find problems before they have the chance to escalate.
Consider implementing security measures that allow you to identify and react to potential problems immediately, such as:
Regularly inspecting equipment, access points, and cybersecurity efforts can also help prevent the spread of damage from sabotage or cyberattacks.
The supply chain is layered and complex, so it stands to reason that the measures protecting each manufacturing facility and method of transportation should be just as layered.
After evaluating your security risks, carefully consider which measures would be most effective in safeguarding your employees, properties, and products.
Access Control
Access control gives you control over who comes and goes in your facilities and loading bays. Advanced access control allows you to restrict sensitive areas to certain employees and keep track of who accessed what and when.
Be sure to revoke access for any terminated employees immediately to prevent disgruntled ex-workers from returning to cause damage or safety threats.
Surveillance Cameras
Security cameras allow you to keep constant watch over your product and people. The presence of security cameras discourages unwanted behaviors, and cameras enhanced with features such as remote monitoring and intrusion detection can help you spot and react to problems right away.
Especially consider positioning cameras in sensitive product-production areas and any access points.
Mobile Security Units
Mobile security units like the LVT® Unit offer all the benefits of advanced surveillance cameras but with a significant advantage: flexibility. LVT Units are completely self-sufficient, using solar power and cellular connectivity rather than relying on a wired connection to the power grid. This autonomy allows for the units to be placed anywhere the sun shines and makes repositioning them just as simple. (This can be particularly useful in areas like parking areas or container yards where the surveilled landscape is constantly shifting.)
Mobile security units can also be equipped with lights and loudspeakers, offering an immediate response to incidents as they occur.
Security Guards
On-site security personnel can make routine checks on employees, equipment, and products. They can react to threats as they arise or contact law enforcement as needed.
Security guards are most effective when supported by surveillance technology, which allows them to focus on in-person responses while maintaining overall situational awareness.
Cybersecurity
With the digital interconnectedness of every aspect of the supply chain these days, robust cybersecurity is a vital component of any manufacturing operation. Digital breaches can lead to physical security breaches, intellectual property theft, cyberattack sabotage, and more. To help mitigate cyber risk, ensure that employees are properly trained on cyber safety protocols and best practices.
GPS Tracking
Cargo theft has risen significantly in recent years. One way to immediately spot issues while in transit is to make sure each load is equipped with GPS tracking. This allows you to immediately spot if a shipment is off course for any reason. GPS tracking can also increase the chance of product recovery.
Tamper-Evident Security Seals and Digital Locks
Sometimes thieves don’t go after entire shipments, instead trying to skim off the top so their theft or sabotage is less evident. Measures like advanced locks on shipment containers and tamper-evident security seals help to prevent this problem.
Mobile security units can be an integral part of protecting the manufacturing supply chain. For a demonstration of their capabilities and flexibility, contact LVT today!
