TAPA Security

August 21, 2006 by Splatty  
Filed under 3PL, Misc Logistics, Supply Chain Management

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Many 3PL’s tout TAPA security certification as a selling point to potential clients, but what exactly is TAPA and what does it mean to a shipper?

TAPA stands for Technology Asset Protect Association. According to the TAPA website, TAPA

is an association of security professionals and related business partners from high
technology companies who have organized for the purpose of addressing the emerging security threats that are common to the technology industry.

TAPA came about during the high tech boom during the 1990’s as a measure to deter criminals from stealing high tech products as they move throughout the supply chain. TAPA was originally created by some of the world’s largest high-tech companies in order to establish security standards for any provider involved in the physical transport of their high value products. TAPA was put in place in order to achieve the following benefits for member companies:

* Reduced losses associated with transportation-related thefts through utilization of TAPA’s comprehensive cargo handling security guidelines — guidelines created with the assistance of literally hundreds of years of TAPA leadership’s combined security experience.
* Economic benefits of more attractive freight carrier contract terms resulting from the implementation of TAPA’s freight carrier’s contract security addendum/(minimum security requirements).
* Reduced customer inconvenience and disruptions which result from a reduction in stolen customer shipments.
* A reduction in the incidence of lost sales or lost market penetration related to gray market or illegal product diversion problems.
* The combined leverage of over 50 of the world’s largest technology companies at work to negotiate more favorable terms with insurance companies and freight carriers. Being a part of a “safety in numbers” solution to high-tech cargo crime.
* The benefit of having the technology industry’s Best Security Practices at your disposal for the handling of scrap, addressing warranty fraud, coupon/redemption fraud, and solving other pervasive security problems.

Many of today’s larger freight forwarders are TAPA certified. By seeking certification to TAPA, freight forwarders benefit from compliance to the requirements of TAPA members; Sony, Intel, HP, etc. It also signifies that their warehousing facilities meet the minimum security requirements in order to handle these companies products.

Although TAPA is an excellent program and forwarders who achieve certification have met the required security measures, it by no means ensures 100% security of goods at all times. However, as a company dealing in high tech/high value cargo I would absolutley insist that my provider be certified under TAPA.

For additional information on the TAPA program, visit their homepage at tapaonline.
For a list of TAPA members click here.

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