The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is charging forward with a pretty important issue (and no it has nothing to do with going green or adopting cloud communications); conversely, TAPA is encouraging individuals to ban together to fight cargo crime.

Since 1997, the company has been asking the question, “What type of security should be used when shipping high security items through supply chain?,” according to Gary Alton, senior manager of Global Security of Applied Materials (News - Alert) and founder of TAPA.

“Originally when we started TAPA, it was not only to focus on transportation security – we wanted to tackle it first and then move on to other issues that corporations face with regards to security,” Alton said during an M2M Evolution session at ITEXPO (News - Alert) West 2011 on Tuesday titled “Technology and the Physical Security of Goods form the Manufacturers’ Perspective.” “But, we found out that transportation security was such a big issue and it’s never been solved”

“The organization morphed into a transportation security organization and our strategic intent was to foster the development and implement of supply chain security best practices which we nonexistent before that; to influence their recognition and adoption by government and regulatory bodies; to promote compliance within a host of industry groups, individual companies and professional organizations,” he added.

TAPA has three primary branches including TAPA Americas, TAPA EMEA (Europe and Africa) and TAPA APAC (Asia/Pacific). These branches include chapters in South Africa and Mexico, with new chapters developing in other countries plagued by cargo crime. Each TAPA branch or chapter participates in the worldwide organization while also addressing the needs of its own regional members.

According to company officials, the theft of electronics, pharmaceuticals, clothing, high-end foodstuffs, auto parts, building supplies and almost any other cargo of value is becoming an expected thing in America. However, this type of crime results in billions of dollars in lost revenue, compromised brand integrity, and in some cases harm to consumers. While other government programs such as C-TPAT focus on keeping dangerous items out of the supply chain, TAPA focuses mainly on the issue of theft.

One service TAPA offers is its IIS system, a tracking tool that allows members to track how many incidents happen. The report lists the number of incidents and locations, compiled from insurance claims and law enforcement statistics.

Recent reports revealed that most of the cargo thefts are occurring on the trucking portion as opposed to the warehouse where it used to take place, according to Taya Tuggle, a board member of TAPA.

Another service that TAPA is particularly excited about is its Truck Security Requirements (TSR), which are 100 percent focused on truck security controls including collection and delivery processes. TSR (News - Alert) was established by security professionals within the high-tech industry to address the nature by which high-tech products and materials are transported by road. The TSR specifies the minimum acceptable security standards for assets traveling throughout the supply chain and the methods to be used in maintaining those standards, according to company officials.

To hear more about the sessions at M2M Evolution, a conference aimed at any company looking to utilize the wireless network to extend control over their supply chain, product development, and distribution channels, check back here.