SCRS Conference Day 1 Session #14
Synergy of Cyber Resilience and Innovation in Supply Chain Security
Moderated by: Mr. Alvin Lau, Executive Director, TAPA APAC
Panelists:
Mr. Yung Hsu, Senior Director Microsoft
Prof. Goh Puay Guan, Associate Professor, Academic Director of the Multidisciplinary MSc in Industry 4.0, National University of Singapore (NUS)
Mr. Alvin Chan, Executive Director, Calsius
The rapid advancement of technology has brought both opportunities and challenges to the global supply chain. Cybersecurity remains a paramount concern as supply chains become more interconnected and complex. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning have become powerful tools in identifying and mitigating cyber risks, offering improved resilience and efficiency for supply chains.
A recent panel session at the Supply Chain Resilience and Sustainability (SCRS) Conference 2024 on June 25, organized by the Transported Asset Protection Association Asia Pacific (TAPA APAC), brought together industry experts to discuss the pressing issues and latest industry practices and technology in supply chain cybersecurity The engaging panel was moderated by Mr. Alvin Lau, the Executive Director for TAPA APAC, and joined by panelists – Mr. Yung Hsu, Senior Director from Microsoft; Prof. Goh Puay Guan, Associate Professor and Academic Director of the Multidisciplinary MSc in Industry 4.0 from National University of Singapore (NUS); and Mr. Alvin Chan, Executive Director from Calsius.
As a trademark event in supply chain security, the SCRS Conference stands out for its commitment to advancing industry standards and fostering collaboration among professionals. Its focus on addressing real-world challenges and sharing the latest solutions makes it an industry platform for enhancing supply chain resilience and security. The panel responded to three main questions, highlighting the potential of technologies to scale operations and enhance proactive threat detection.
Question 1: What role can AI and machine learning play in identifying and mitigating cyber risk within the supply chain?
Prof. Goh opened the discussion by highlighting the transformative potential of AI and machine learning in cybersecurity. He explained AI’s ability to handle vast amounts of data and identify patterns beyond human capacity means that it can significantly enhance fraud detection processes. “If AI is able to do that job well, then potentially it can scale up and make us a lot more efficient in that fraud detection,” Prof. Goh added. By replicating real-life scenarios on a larger scale, AI can enhance efficiency and effectiveness in identifying potential threats.
Yung Hsu added that AI’s role in cybersecurity is significant, particularly in proactive monitoring. In large corporations with dedicated information security teams, traditional monitoring often detects threats too late. “The hope is with AI, they can, instead of monitoring reactively, they can monitor proactively,” Yung Hsu said. This shift from reactive to proactive monitoring can help organizations detect and mitigate threats before they cause considerable damage. This proactive capability allows organizations to address potential breaches before they escalate, thus improving overall security posture.
Question 2: What are some of the key considerations for organizations when integrating technology solutions into their supply chain, particularly concerning scalability and interoperability?
Alvin Chan provided valuable insights on the integration of technology solutions, emphasizing the importance of balancing technology with people and processes. He shared an example of implementing augmented reality for maintenance tasks, demonstrating how technology can be scaled and integrated effectively. The approach involved gaining buy-in from personnel, restructuring processes, and leveraging data for long-term analysis. He shared about the importance of data for those managing modern technologies, “it is also important to look at what was before and after in terms of performance matrix so that they can do your measurement of our success and effectiveness”.
Prof. Goh highlighted the need for industry standards to ensure interoperability among different systems. “We need to have standards in order to have systems be able to
talk to each other,” he said. The integration of diverse systems through APIs enables seamless information sharing across different software platforms. He discussed the challenges of proprietary standards and the role of system integration and industry-wide standards in facilitating seamless communication between disparate technologies. TAPA Standards were noted as an example of industry efforts to create common frameworks that enhance interoperability and collaboration. Such collaboration is crucial for building a resilient and interconnected supply chain ecosystem.
Question 3: How can organizations adapt their cybersecurity strategies to address emerging threats in the supply chain?
Adapting cybersecurity strategies to address emerging threats requires a multifaceted approach. Yung Hsu underscored the necessity of having knowledgeable Information Technology (IT) personnel or engaging external firms to implement robust security controls. “If you don’t have an IT person that understands security or you don’t have an information security organization, you have to either get somebody in your organization to implement these controls or hire an outside firm,” he advised. Ensuring that organizations have the right expertise is crucial for defending against sophisticated cyber threats.
Alvin Chan emphasized the importance of understanding the intentions behind cyber threats and employing a structured intelligence cycle. “In terms of the strategy or process that we look at, for example, the intelligence cycles your plan, you direct, you process, analyze, and you designate information,” he outlined a process of data collection and analysis to develop actional insights. He advised analysts to consider the implications of their findings and how potential threats could impact the organization, guiding their recommendations for mitigating risks.
As cybersecurity continues to evolve, the collaborative efforts and industry standards discussed will play a crucial role in enhancing supply chain resilience and protecting against sophisticated cyber threats. TAPA APAC plays a vital role in supporting its members by providing global security standards and fostering networking opportunities. TAPA Standards ensure a consistent approach to supply chain security, while the community of professionals offers a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices. By embracing AI, and adhering to TAPA Standards, organizations enhance their supply chains’ resilience against threats, ensuring the continuity and security of their assets, both digitally and physically.
To learn more about TAPA Standards, visit www.tapa-apac.org or email us at info@tapa-apac.org
About the Moderator
Mr. Alvin Lau
Executive Director, TAPA APAC
Mr. Alvin Lau is the Executive Director who take charge of handling Chinese members’ concerns and implement the best initiatives locally. Alvin has a double major in Bachelor of Commerce in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. He has been in the Supply Chain industry for the last 20 years, with experience in Aviation, Construction & Engineering, Oil & Gas, Marine, FMCG, Life Science & Healthcare industries.
About the Speaker
Mr. Yung Hsu
Senior Director, Microsoft
Yung Hsu started his law enforcement career in Southern California as a deputy sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. His last assignments as a detective were with the cargo theft task force, the Asian crime task force, the vehicle theft task force, and the Southern California High Tech Task Force. He is currently responsible for various aspects of supply chain security across Microsoft, including cargo security. Over the last year, thefts of Microsoft Xbox and Surface products were reduced by 64%. This was attributed to a multi-layered security program implemented across Microsoft’s manufacturing and transportation channels consisting of holistic requirements across multiple security domains, regular supplier engagement, in-person supplier audits, and strong partnerships with law enforcement.
Email: Yung.Hsu@microsoft.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yunghsu/
Prof Goh Puay Guan
Associate Professor, National University of Singapore (NUS)
Prof. Goh is an Associate Professor at NUS, Academic Director of the multi-disciplinary MSc in Industry 4.0. He teaches Master’s level classes and executive education courses in supply chain management and technology innovation. He has helped to start the multi-disciplinary MSc Industry 4.0 program in 2019. Goh Puay Guan is also a book author, commentator, and industry guest speaker. He was also a Board Director at Flyoro; Advisor at Matex International, Bdata Inc and Log-hub AG; Mentor at Plug and Play APAC
Email: bizgpg@nus.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/puay-guan-goh/
Mr. Alvin Chan
Executive Director, Calsius
A high-performance, innovative, adaptive and dynamic leader who delivers results. Strong organisational and analytical abilities with excellent engagement and communication skills. Team player with the ability to lead multifunctional team. Operationally proven, former senior Army Officer with 22 years’ experience in Leadership, Strategic Planning, Intelligence Analysis and Defence Diplomacy. Deep expertise in Asia-Pacific Political and Security Affairs.
Email: alvin@calsius.sg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-chan-calsius/