An update on the partnership between Overhaul and Microsoft, discussing the ever-increasing importance of tight security throughout every stage of the supply chain.

Security remains “front and center” among concerns about security in the Microsoft supply chain, says Luiz Da Costa, the company’s director of global logistics. Risk is increasing in all parts of the world, he adds.

Security “is on everybody’s mind these days,” agrees Barry Conlon, chief executive officer of Overhaul. What used to be “on the sleep side” of supply chain managers’ concerns is now “the talk of the dinner table.” Thieves and hackers are targeting products and locations with the greatest vulnerability. And, with congestion slowing down the movement of goods, items that fall under that category are growing in number. “When freight’s at rest,” says Conlon, “it’s at risk.” 

In addition to countries such as Brazil, where freight and information security has long been a concern, managers are now encountering challenges in the European Union and the U.S. “It’s everywhere that freight gathers,” says Conlon, citing ports, truck stops and warehouses as vulnerable points.

With security coming to the fore, visibility of freight in transit and in storage becomes paramount. But it’s not enough to be able to see where the goods area, Da Costa says. “It’s what we do with [the information] that’s important.” Shippers need the ability to avoid areas or routes that carry a high level of risk, and adjust shipment planning as conditions change.

Overhaul continues its relationship with Microsoft, which Conlon calls “one of our most important customers.” Da Costa says the partnership is growing, in response to the need to protect the many companies that depend on Microsoft for secure shipments in global transport.