What It Is

C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) is a voluntary U.S. CBP framework for securing international supply chains against terrorism and crime. Launched post-9/11, it uses a risk-based trusted trader approach with tailored Minimum Security Criteria (MSC) for partners like importers, carriers, and manufacturers.

Key Components

• **12 MSC domainsCorporate security, risk assessment, business partners, cybersecurity, physical access, personnel, conveyance, seals, procedural, agricultural, training, audits.
• Security Profile documenting controls and evidence.
• Tiered certification (Tier 1-3) via validations; Best Practices Framework for exceeding baselines.

Why Organizations Use It

• **Trade facilitationReduced inspections, FAST lanes, priority processing.
• **Risk reductionEnhanced resilience, partner vetting, cyber controls.
• **Competitive edgeMarket access, reputation, MRAs with 19+ countries.
• No legal mandate but de facto for major importers.

Implementation Overview

• **Phased rolloutGap analysis, profile development, internal audits, CBP validation.
• Applies to trade entities; 6-12 months typical.
• **OngoingAnnual reviews, revalidations every 4 years.

What It Is

ISO 22301:2019 is the international standard titled "Societal security — Business continuity management systems — Requirements." It is a certifiable framework specifying requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). Its primary purpose is to protect against, reduce likelihood of, respond to, and recover from disruptions, ensuring continuity of critical products/services. It uses a risk-based PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach aligned with Annex SL.

Key Components

• Clauses 4-10 form core PDCA structure: context, leadership, planning (BIA/RA), support, operations, performance evaluation, improvement.
• No fixed controls; 10 clauses total, emphasizing BIA, risk assessment, testing.
• Built on high-level structure for IMS integration.
• Certification via two-stage audits, valid 3 years with surveillance.

Why Organizations Use It

Drives resilience, reduces downtime/losses, ensures compliance (e.g., NIS), lowers insurance, boosts trust/competitiveness. Manages risks from cyber, disasters, supply chains.

Implementation Overview

Gap analysis, BIA/RA, policy development, training, testing, audits. Suits all sizes/sectors; 60 days to 6 months typical, accelerated by tools like ISMS.online.