Cargo Security is More than Strength: Why ISO 17712-2015 Falls Short Preventing Theft, Smuggling, and Contraband.

ISO 17712-2015 sets the standard in cargo security. However, this widely accepted certification fails to ensure the security it promises. The ability to protect against theft, smuggling, and contraband truly relies on a deeper understanding of real-world case studies, supply chain logistics, and the mechanics to address those issues. The design recommendations and testing requirements ISO sets forth or fails to outline fully may lead to easier tampering.

So, what are cargo security seals, and what is their purpose?

There are two main classifications for cargo security seals set forth by ISO 17712-2015: indicative seals and high-security/barrier seals. Indicative seals are low-cost devices that show immediate evidence of tampering without providing a high level of protection, while high-security/barrier seals are single-use mechanisms meant to deter theft, show clear tamper evidence, maintain the chain of custody, prevent the introduction of contraband and illicit materials, and verify the authenticity of cargo.

What does ISO actually certify?

ISO certification for high-security seals can mislead customers into believing they can effectively resist tampering and protect their cargo. However, the ISO standards fail to test for proper security, focusing on measures of strength. As a result, seal manufacturers produce seals that are easier to tamper with to pass the certification tests.

Strength ≠ Security

ISO 17712-2015 focuses solely on the physical strength of security seals rather than tamper resistance. A seal consists of the cable and the seal body containing the internal locking mechanism. ISO specifies a minimum load strength of 10 kilonewtons, usually a steel cable between 3.2 and 3.5mm. Certified seals are tested with brute force to cut the cable, but not for tampering. If they tested for tampering, they’d know you can’t increase the cable strength without accounting for body strength. Aluminum bodies, the norm for most seal manufacturers, have a much lower load strength than the attached steel cables. By applying pressure to the cable, the internal mechanism in the body is essentially ripped through and, more importantly, easily replaced into the seal body. To meet compliance standards set by ISO, some seal manufacturers opt for an even thicker cable than the minimum, passing brute strength tests but exasperating the issue of genuine security.

Real-World Implications

Over our 20+ years of experience in the cargo security industry, we have observed that prioritizing strength over security can be a critical mistake. Theft, smuggling, trafficking, and contraband are all supply chain issues that occur under tight time constraints. If your cargo seal can be opened and re-closed without evidence in a matter of minutes or even seconds, you are likely to fall prey to these issues that ISO aims to prevent.

Our customers are shocked when I open the seals they’ve trusted for years in a matter of seconds or minutes using simple tools anyone can access. They wonder why they experience theft, smuggling, and contraband at such a high rate using ISO certified seals. Switching to tamper-proof seals is the only way to identify problem areas in your supply chain. -Greg Kleynerman, CEO

How our cargo security seals are different

We rigorously test our seals to prevent the five most common tampering methods (see more in upcoming posts). We design seals that cannot be opened and closed without leaving any evidence of tampering. Moreover, our complete supply chain solution empowers our customers to quickly identify any problem areas in their supply chain and prevent any future theft, smuggling, and contraband.