Should your organization be concerned with CTPAT Cyber Security? 6 steps you can take

CTPAT cyber security is the next focus your company should be aware of for your supply chain.  The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, or CTPAT, is a voluntary supply chain security program led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that aims to enhance the security of the international supply chain and facilitate the flow of legitimate trade. Participating companies are required to implement security measures at various points in their supply chain, including the transportation of goods and the handling and storage of goods at their facilities.

Cybersecurity is a critical component of supply chain security and is an important consideration for companies participating in CTPAT. This may include measures such as securing networks and systems, protecting against unauthorized access or data breaches, and implementing policies and procedures to safeguard against cyber threats. Companies may also be required to implement controls to protect against the introduction of malicious software or other cyber threats through the supply chain, including through the use of third-party vendors and partners.

It is important for companies participating in CTPAT to prioritize cybersecurity as part of their overall supply chain security efforts in order to protect against potential threats and ensure the continued smooth flow of legitimate trade.

What are the CTPAT cyber security regulations?

There are several cyber security regulations that are relevant to companies conforming to CTPAT Cyber security standards. These include:

1. Protecting networks and systems: Companies are expected to implement appropriate technical controls to secure their networks and systems against unauthorized access or data breaches. This may include measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and authentication controls.
2. Protecting against malicious software: Companies should implement controls to prevent the introduction of malicious software or other cyber threats through the supply chain, including through the use of third-party vendors and partners. This may include measures such as antivirus software, network segregation, and regular security updates.
3. Protecting against data breaches: Companies should have policies and procedures in place to detect and respond to data breaches, as well as measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
4. Protecting against phishing and social engineering attacks: Companies should educate their employees about the risks of phishing and social engineering attacks and implement controls to prevent these types of threats, such as training programs, spam filters, and two-factor authentication.
5. Protecting against unauthorized access: Companies should implement controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems, such as access controls and user authentication mechanisms.
6. Protecting against cyber threats: Companies should have a plan in place to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats, including measures such as incident response plans and backup and recovery procedures.

 

It is important for companies that fall under CTPAT to carefully review and understand these cyber security regulations in order to ensure that they are meeting the program’s requirements and protecting their supply chain against potential threats.

Where can I find regulations regarding CTPAT cyber security

The CTPAT cyber security regulations can be found in the CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria, which is a set of guidelines that participating companies are required to follow in order to enhance the security of their supply chain. The Minimum Security Criteria can be accessed on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website at the following link:

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/ctpat/minimum-security-criteria

A copy of the CTPAT Trade Compliance Handbook can also be found here:

CTPAT Trade Compliance Handbook 2.0 _508

The Minimum Security Criteria outline the specific requirements that participating companies must meet in order to demonstrate their commitment to supply chain security. This includes requirements related to physical security, personnel security, and information technology security.

CTPAT cyber security standards should be carefully reviewed to understand the Minimum Security Criteria in order to ensure that companies are meeting the program’s requirements and protecting their supply chain against potential threats.

Contact us using the link below to learn how NaviSec can help you navigate CTPAT cyber security.