Comprehensive Compliance Solutions for Global Importers

Compliance with regulations is one of the most important elements of running a company that imports or exports goods. Whether products travel by land, sea, air, or rail, there is a department of the government that will oversee their trip. No matter what kind of product you are transporting, there are certain to be industry regulations governing it as well. It is also important for you to have your own set of regulations with which to comply.

The term supply chain refers to every company and individual who has anything to do with producing a product and getting it to the consumer. That includes a lot of individuals and many steps along the way. 

Supply chain compliance is a broad term that can apply to the handling of hazardous materials, environmental laws, and employment regulations. It can also apply to handling security within your company.

Dedola offers supply chain management and supply chain compliance management. We will make sure that your shipments are packed and handled properly and that the people who help your products get where they are going know what they are doing and are compliant with your security protocols and the law. 

Why Do You Need a Supply Chain Management Company?

When your products travel from the manufacturing plant to the store where they are sold, much can go wrong along the way. You need someone who the ship workers, airline employees, and truck drivers who handle your product on its journey can contact with questions and problems. When you have a supply chain manager, someone will know exactly where your product is supposed to be every step of the way. They will know how to handle any problems that may arise. At Dedola, we can manage both the supply chain itself and compliance with your company’s security standards. 

There are many benefits to partnering with us.

A Higher Level of Care 

You must fully vet your suppliers when you first hire them to make sure that they are compliant with environmental regulations and offer safe work conditions. Their information security should be up to date and constantly improved. 

You may be able to do the initial vetting yourself. However, it would be very hard to monitor them on a consistent basis.

Certain supply chain problems arise that are difficult to monitor. You may not be privy to information about managers who do not adhere to company regulations or glitches in security software. You need to keep your customer’s products safe. You need to protect your reputation and the safety of the public. We can make sure your suppliers are adhering to your standards and complying with the law at all times.

Compliance Risk Assessment

When we first partner with your company, we will do a full risk assessment to determine your strengths and weaknesses in terms of security and compliance. We will make a plan with you to correct anything that may need improvement and strengthen the things that are working. We will specify the assessment to industry regulations for the field that you work in.

Global Supply Chain Regulations

Each country you ship products to has its own government-imposed regulations. Other countries may also have industry-specific regulations. International suppliers may operate under different national compliance requirements from your organization.

The compliance professionals at Dedola are familiar with the laws of every different country. Even if you keep up with international law, you are unlikely to have the level of knowledge of our trained staff.

Patch Management Assessment

Your vendors all use their own security devices. If they have outdated software, it can pose a major threat to your company and your client’s products. You must select vendors that have a patch management program and follow that program. A company with patch management will use application updates, firmware, and drivers to its computer networks and the endpoints of those networks. 

If security is compromised, your company data and the companies you work for may be at risk. Companies that suffer security breaches often have to provide security protection to any individual or company whose security was compromised for years to come. If you did not do your due diligence and make sure the companies you work with use patch management, your clients may blame you and even sue you.

Not only will we review each of your vendor’s patch management systems, but we will also evaluate the system to make sure that it is efficient and sustainable.

Information Security Controls

One of the most important things a supply chain compliance program must include is information Security Controls. These are uniform steps taken to control security risks like the theft of data or system breaches. It can also prevent spyware and changes to computer programs that have not been authorized.

IFCs include:

Detecting Controls

These are controls that will expose any attempts or incidents of a security breach at your company or at any of your service providers.

Preventative Controls

Preventing a security breach is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the safety of your data as well as your clients. 

Corrective Controls

No matter how careful you are, security breaches still happen. Measures taken after an incident can minimize data loss and recover your security systems.

There are many different types of security controls we can introduce to you and your service providers. Access control is one of the simplest things you can do to secure information. It just means securing your building with guards and access cards.

Technical controls such as access codes, passwords, and antivirus software also help. Compliance with laws governing various industries is also an effective method of securing your company. We will make sure you have the very best IFCs in place.

Paperwork

You may think digital communication has taken over the world, but that is not always true. Some companies still use paper records. We do not recommend ever using a company that is not fully computerized. 

If you have a contract with a company that is moving towards digitalization, we can monitor their progress and ensure that their digital tools are secure. We will make sure your supplier-related documents are fully digitized as well.

How Do Your Vendors Train Their Employees?

You train your employees on security and so does almost every company in the country. Businesses nowadays are subject to many different types of attacks, from active shooters to malware to building security breaches.

Unfortunately, not all security training programs are created equal. We will make sure that the companies you do business with have a sophisticated and thorough training program that will inform employees of what to look for. We will also monitor the efficacy of the training program. 

Supply Chain Risks

Supplier compliance is very important to the highly regulated shipping industry.

If one of your suppliers fails to comply with government regulations or industry-imposed regulations, your company’s reputation can be damaged. You may face steep fines from the federal government.

A manager can make sure all the service and material suppliers that you deal with along the way have a compliant security system in place. We can stay on top of any security breaches or potential compliance violations a shipment has in its travels.

Regulatory Compliance

Supply chain compliance management will take care of security actions required by the federal government. 

Dedola is a C-TPAT (Customs–Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) certified service provider. Committed to securing supply chains. C-TPAT is an important level of the Customs and Border Protection system.

To obtain C-TPAT certification, a supply chain compliance company must exhibit the ability to identify security risks, create security protocols, and implement best practices. 

Certified companies work directly with the U.S. Government to fight terrorism. This gives us superior insight into our own security risks and those of our clients. We have access to training materials supplied by the federal government as well.

We also have access to the free Secure Trade (FAST) program. This means we cut to the front of the line at the border and enjoy the shortest wait time for inspections. 

A Uniform Management System 

We have a uniform Quality Management System that we employ to monitor each of your suppliers. We can work with you to make a list of objectives for your quality control. We can act as a liaison between you and your service suppliers. We will prioritize your vendors in terms of their importance to your company and your security system.

What Else Can I Do?

One simple thing you can do to ensure that your suppliers are compliant with your standards is to specify certain security requirements in the contract that you have with them. A contract can include such specifications as:

• Site Security.
• Data encryption.
• Security training for employees and contractors.
• Background checks for employees. 
• Computer security systems.

The tighter the language in a contract, the more likely you will be to avoid misunderstandings with the people with whom you do business.

Dedola is committed to the safety and security of our clients. Give us a call today.