Finding ways to reduce risk while improving supply chain reliability and meeting both regulatory and customer demands is an essential objective for any organization that delivers products or services. This is especially important for companies operating in the world of transport, logistics, and manufacturing.
In a global, large operating environment, supply chain security is a persistent concern that demands strategic, systemic management. Security errors must be considered in the context of threats such as terrorism, organized crime, piracy, cyberattacks, and emerging vulnerabilities. In several cases, a serious security breach can threaten business survival.
By implementing a well-designed ISO 28000 security management system, an organization can reduce risk, strengthen operational stability, increase trust, and gain a competitive advantage through evident security assurance.
The core of the standard is to apply a best practices framework through all components of the supply chain, internal operations, external partners, and third parties, focusing on identifying vulnerabilities, preventing threats, and maintaining continuity. The system helps to integrate with other management processes (e.g., quality, information security, business continuity), and supports compliance with global security and customs regimes.
Supply chain security involves maintaining a mature and effective security governance system through protocols, contractual agreements, real-time monitoring, audits, surveillance, trusted partner management, and personnel oversight to deliver a validated, end-to-end security posture.
In today’s global economy, outsourcing, international sourcing, and logistics make supply chains exceptionally complex. Raw materials, intermediate components, and final goods can cross multiple borders under different legal and security controls.
Supply chain security sets strategic controls and logistics oversight into this international flow, interfacing with both private and governmental agencies. It addresses physical transit, border crossings, customs, warehousing, port operations, and the IT systems that support them.
ISO 28000 is a standardized approach for managing security across supply chains.
This standard is used by organizations across different industries, from logistics and manufacturing to IT and finance, to integrate physical, human, and information security around sensitive assets and operations.
In this highly competitive market, supply chain participants (vendors, distributors, carriers, manufacturers) are all fundamental to fulfilling orders, managing flows of goods, exchanging information, and meeting delivery expectations. Any disruption in that chain can turn into high financial loss, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and operational breakdowns.
Many countries struggle to keep up with supply chain security as global trade scales. ISO 28000 offers a clear structure to plug security gaps and present a combined security posture. Organizations can become certified to demonstrate they have visibility, controls, and resiliency from goods receipt to final delivery, minimizing losses and ensuring compliance with security, environmental, and customs regulations.
The standard encourages continuous risk management across supply chain stages using tools such as audits, internal controls, KPIs, training, and real-time business intelligence.
Some of the benefits of implementing ISO 28000 include:
ISO 28000 defines requirements for a security management system that supports your mission and objectives in supply chain operations. When adopted well:
PECB plays a key role in helping organizations build and maintain secure, resilient, and compliant supply chains. Through its ISO 28000 training and certification programs, PECB empowers professionals and organizations to effectively implement and manage supply chain security systems that address real-world risks, including terrorism, theft, cyber threats, and other disruptions.
By earning a PECB ISO 28000 certification, individuals and organizations demonstrate their commitment to best practices in supply chain security, improved risk management, and operational reliability from the sourcing of raw materials to the final delivery of products and services.
Below are the main ISO 28000 schemes offered by PECB:
About the Author
Vesa Hyseni is a Senior Content and Campaigns Specialist at PECB. She is responsible for creating up-to-date content, conducting market research, and providing insights about ISO standards. For any questions, feel free to reach out to her at support@pecb.com.
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