When offering a cargo delivery service, it is imperative that your delivery vehicle is just as secure as your premises. According to the Chamber of Commerce, around 80% of consumers have at least one item delivered to them a month, with an average of $80.00 per package. The risk of losing that much money per order, especially if your business thrives on transporting products, makes it worth investing in a bulletproof security program for your drivers, vehicles, and cargo.

Physical Security

Vehicles transporting any high value items and/or large amounts of cash should be equipped, at minimum, with an alarm system, secured lockbox, and global positioning system (GPS). All devices should be activated when the vehicle is left unattended and/or there are high value items and cash currently present.

Other physical security measures that are highly recommended for delivery vehicles include: high security door locks, video surveillance, audio surveillance, panic buttons (hold up alarms), and a vehicular kill switch. Although some measures might seem extensive, a business would do well to have these precautions in place rather than being left blindsided and without quantifiable data in the event an incident occurs. Watch our webinar which covers these physical security solutions.

Personnel Security

A company could have all the latest security technology in the world; however, their helpfulness is limited if their employees aren’t rightfully screened or trained. It is important to run background checks on all employees, despite their role, to certify their reliability and integrity for the job. Likewise, many people do not inherently know the correct response protocols to use in risky situations. Having your employees properly instructed on what to do during an unexpected scenario reduces the risk of unnecessary accidents. See more training details under Response and Incident Management.

Operational/Procedural Security

In addition to background checks and training, there should be dedicated standard operating procedures (SOPs) and manuals that instruct delivery employees on their roles and responsibilities, such as: unloading products from a delivery vehicle, loading products into a delivery vehicle, B2B and/or B2C delivery procedures, and route planning. Having your employees familiar with these documents saves time and efficiency, as well as reduces panic and/or losses during critical situations. SOPs and manuals should be completely reviewed (and said training recorded as being completed) prior to any job being done independently.

Each movement or transfer of ownership of product and/or cash should likewise be documented. Transportation records, or manifests, should document at minimum the following:

What is being transported;
The quantity and/or weight being transported;
Where the items are being transported from;
Where the items are being transported to;
Who is responsible for transporting the items;
Who is responsible for receiving the items; and
The date and time the items are being transported.

Response and Incident Management

Unfortunately, not everything goes as planned. It is important that your employees know what to do in an emergency. Attempted theft on the road, vehicular accidents, or procedures for an encounter with law enforcement are just some scenarios a delivery driver could encounter. Employees need to be instructed on the proper protocols to use to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible. On the off chance that an incident could occur, the employees would likewise need to know what to notice and account for, for liability and recordkeeping reasons.

Sapphire Risk Advisory Group has worked with many different industries in safeguarding their assets. Reach out to our security experts to help design your vehicle security program now!

How Can Sapphire Risk Help?

Tony Gallo and the team of experts and consultants at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group have worked to secure medical marijuana and recreational cannabis businesses in 37 states. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with more security best practices and cannabis industry updates!