The Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport has achieved the ISO 28000 certification, which sets out the requirements for a security management system in a supply chain.

The terminal is the first air freight facility based in Hong Kong to have been given the certification.

The requirements for ISO 28000 include “aspects critical to security assurance of the supply chain,” according to the International Organization for Standardization.

Kelvin Ko, chief executive office of Cathay Pacific Services Limited, the operator of the terminal, says that to be accredited with the standard, the terminal had to put in place the most advanced security infrastructure and a comprehensive security programme in order to keep shipments safe from end-to-end, maintaining the integrity of the supply chain.

“For example, we have over 1,000 high-definition CCTV cameras and video analytics software, as well as various physical security checkpoints and guard posts,” he says. “However, merely having security infrastructure implemented without a well-defined security management system is counterintuitive as most of the systems are managed by people, and people can and do make mistakes.”

Ko and his team had to demonstrate that the terminal takes a proactive approach to address any potential risks by making sure that security procedures are reviewed regularly to ensure full compliance. Staff members at every level are encouraged to stay vigilant, he says, with security always at the forefront of their mind. Unannounced tests are carried out from time to time to further reinforce market standards.

“Security is no longer just the responsibility of the security department,” says Ko. “Instead, the whole management team is tasked with carrying out thorough reviews and risk assessments of all aspects of the terminal’s operations.”

Despite achieving the certification, Ko says that he would like to see more collaboration on a global scale to address any security challenges.

“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” he says. “Proverbs aside, this is a daily reality faced by the entire logistics industry. We are only a small part of the whole global supply chain. We hope to see partners in the industry taking steps to implement their own systematic security frameworks to make the air freight supply chain more secure. Together, we can offer a better service and give our customers greater peace of mind.”

Aside from security, Ko is already thinking about the next step forward for the cargo terminal.

“Becoming certified is definitely not the end of the journey for us. In fact, this is just the starting point,” he says. “We will continue to explore ways to further improve the system, and we are confident that our customers will see the difference.”

By Jeffrey Lee

Staff Writer | Hong Kong