The ‘Foreign Manufacturer Security Recommendations Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)’, has been drawn up in the wake of the increased threat of terrorism. It will be implemented in a phased approach to foreign companies, with Mexican manufacturers being the first to fall under the rules. Within 90 days of signing the C-TPAT Agreement for Foreign Manufacturers, companies will have to provide an executive summary outlining the elements of the security procedures they have in place.
At a minimum, non-US companies must demonstrate they have information security controls proving the integrity of automated systems, and a process established for reporting and correcting problems. Pringle believes that C-TPAT will become an external business driver to speed up good security practice and companies that comply with BS7799, the British standard for information security management, will have a good framework in place as a starting point.
He said important security standards for systems include ‘having up-to-date anti-virus protection and firewalls that are properly configured. ‘Companies should also carry out penetration tests.’
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