GE's Security business and China International Marine Containers Group (CIMC) have completed a commercial field test of a cargo container secured with radio frequency identification (RFID) and sensor technology. More than 15 security breach attempts on two continents were properly detected and communicated during the test.
The Tamper Evident Secure Container (TESC) integrates GE's CommerceGuard container security device in a standard maritime container. All Set Marine Security AB licensed the security technology to GE, and Unisys Corp. provided integration services and managed the test. CIMC is the world's largest manufacturer of shipping containers.
The technology could also be used to provide in-transit supply chain visibility.
"The test results of the TESC project are very encouraging", said Greg Baroni, president, Unisys Global Public Sector. "Embedding the container security device within the infrastructure of the container enhances both the security and financial viability of this solution. We've tested many container security technologies and the container security device is the current gold standard."
The GE/CIMC technology, tested independently in this case, is similar to other RFID-based security seals being studied by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the Operation Safe Commerce program. The Department of Defense already uses active RFID technology on its cargo containers for supply chain tracking, a system developed by Savi Technology and integrated with systems from Unisys.
Last year, Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner listed electronic container security devices among the criteria shippers need to meet to achieve "green lane" status, which would help speed shipments through customs for trusted parties.
The TESC system combines physical enhancements and an electronic integrated Container Security Device (iCSD), which allows the shipper to arm the container using a unique, encrypted code after it is stuffed and sealed with a traditional bolt seal. As the container passes within range of the wireless reader infrastructure, the security device transmits its location, arrival time, and notifies officials of any unauthorized container breaches.
The security device includes a magnetic sensor that monitors changes in the field around the device, and is integrated into the container door. The RFID component is based on 2.4Ghz technology. GE will provide fixed readers with a 30 meter range, and hand-held readers that communicate via a Bluetooth connection to a Sony-Ericsson P800 phone.
The container also has improved door lock mechanisms and tamper-proof hinges.
"The 2.4Ghz band is available worldwide, license-free, and the sensor is protected by the container itself," said Walt Dixon, project leader for port and cargo security at GE. "It cannot be compromised."
The device includes a data port so that additional types of devices, such as temperature or radiation sensors, could be integrated into the system. GE has also developed tracking devices that can be installed on a legacy container fleet without using tools.
"Supply chain security is critically important to our customers and the well-being of the global economy. However, until now, the cost of securing a container and building the necessary information sharing infrastructure has been cost prohibitive to exporters, which are competing in an extremely competitive global economy," said CIMC's David Wong, CTO. "The successful test of the TESC proves that security doesn't have to be expensive, especially when the features are built into the container. We believe our customers will get behind this approach."
No False Alarms
Unisys tracked 18 GE containers from Guangdong, China, which were transported to Hong Kong by truck. From there, the containers were shipped by boat to Los Angeles/Long Beach, then trucked to their final destination. A fixed reader in Los Angeles disarmed the devices. Unisys attempted more than 15 different security breaches in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and the U.S. Twelve of the containers were not tampered with, but Unisys conducted five scripted break-ins on the others, and one container was opened by Customs. The devices recorded all the breaches, with no false alarms.
"As the containers pass the intermodal points where we've placed readers, status is communicated back to the data center," said James Petrizzi, GE's vice president of engineering. "There would be a first-responder system in place at the port, and alerts could go to the shipper and end destination."
By tracking containers at these different nodes, shippers and customers could be alerted to delays and problems in transit. "You could set up an alert-based systems for exceptions," said Peter Regan, vice president of global visible commerce at Unisys. "It could then be integrated with supply chain management systems, and could even leverage data from [Electronic Product Code] RFID tags."
The system will be ready for deployment in the third quarter of this year, depending on what steps the U.S. government takes on setting container security standards.
In addition to tracking containers, Regan says that standard should be developed for secure container stuffing environments -- including physical inspections and employee background checks.
The Department of Homeland Security wrapped up initial Operation Safe Commerce testing at the end of 2004, but has yet to issue any recommendations. While a number of companies are working on systems similar to what GE has developed, the industry is waiting on government guidance. "The primary barrier was the lack of standards," said ABI Research analyst David Schrier, who conducted a survey of container security vendors last year. "There's an apprehensiveness in the industry about investing in technology that they're not particularly sure will come to fruition. They've taken a wait-and-see attitude."
