EU-funded R&D Delivers Enhanced Port Security

A new Port Security Management System (PSMS) will be introduced for the first time by Henk van Unnik of Tosepo in London on 13-14 November 2014.

 

PSMS is an interactive real time dynamic web-based dashboard that will help maritime and logistics professionals assess and improve overall port security. PSMS has been developed as part of SUPPORT (Security UPgrade for PORTs) which is co-ordinated by BMT Group and part-funded by the EC's FP7 Security Research Programme.

Henk van Unnik a highly experienced port security expert and a member of the Executive Committee of SUPPORT will be introducing PSMS in a talk he is delivering entitled ‘Safety & Security for Port Facilities’ on the 13th November between 11:40 and 12:05

Henk van Unnik commented:  “The PSMS is unique. It is the first tool of its kind which incorporates an up-to-date, self-assessment guide to enable maritime security practitioners to successfully upgrade their corporate security.”

The PSMS delivers information skills and methodologies that enable security professionals to maintain evaluate and upgrade their security measures and create security awareness.  PSMS comprises five modules including a maturity module designed to enable security professionals to review and upgrade security plans to address terrorist threats; a corporate security module which addresses crime risks such as loss events, related to corporate processes and procedures; an e-learning education and examination module  based on best practices of ISPS related maritime Security educations including drills and exercises; a sharing and decision support module which enables security professionals to supervise facilities via the internet and to collaborate on a local, national or global scale and an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) security self-assessment module which provides a system to reach compliancy and submit AEO application.

The dashboard has been tested in various European Cities including Brussels, Dublin Gothenburg, Lisbon and Rotterdam, with more than 25 security, port security and IT experts from seven countries providing feedback and counsel. Their responses were overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic with particular interest and value being placed on the multi-faceted nature of the system.  Most of the testers especially liked the fact that a Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) can access the system remotely from any location thanks to the web-based platform.

The PSMS will be available through SaaS (Software as a Service) with an annual subscription fee and by licence with an appropriate licence fee.  It will be available for sale from early 2014.

Led by Henk van Unnik of Tosepo BV in the Netherlands, PSMS is supported, delivered and trialled in conjunction with BMT in the UK, Securitas AB in Sweden and eBOS Technologies in Cyprus.

PSMS is part of the SUPPORT project, a collaboration of seventeen European organisations in a part EU-funded project the focus of which is to raise the current level of port security.