eCMR and data protection: everything you need to know

The flow of data in the transport and logistics sector is constant, even more so now that digitalization is the order of the day. However, companies in the industry are concerned about the compatibility of eCMR and the protection of their own and their customers’ data.

Despite the conviction that digitization is essential to boost the industry’s competitiveness, companies show strong concerns about data protection when making the move to eCMR.

Before analyzing how eCMR systems protect the data of companies and individuals, let’s recall the current regulations on data protection.

There are currently two essential data protection regulations:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is the European regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) that regulates the processing carried out by persons, companies or organizations of personal data relating to individuals in the European Union.
• Organic Law on Data Protection and Digital Rights Guarantees ( LOPDGDD). This is the Spanish legislation that accompanies the European Regulation to protect the fundamental right of individuals to the protection of personal data, as enshrined in the Constitution.

These regulations must be complied with by any natural or legal person in the European environment. In other words, this means that transport and logistics companies are obliged to develop their activity taking into account both standards, including the digitization of document management.

Transparency, eCMR and Data Protection

Beyond the protection of user or customer data, companies are also particularly concerned about the protection of their own data in the digital transformation.

The multiple disruptions faced by supply chains since 2020 have made managing supply chain risks and disruptions a top concern for companies in the sector, according to AECOC’s “Supply Chain Outlook for the FMCG Sector 2023” study.

To cope with these disruptions, 67% of those surveyed by AECOC believe it is necessary to strengthen collaborative processes with suppliers and service providers. Another 67% consider it essential to invest in systems to digitize administrative processes related to merchandise and transport flows or stock management.

On the other hand, 55% believe it is necessary to include analytical technology to have greater visibility of potential risks, so that management information can be centralized.

All this results in a culture of transparency that many companies are slow to implement for fear that external agents will have access to business data that they do not want to disclose.

In fact, one of the aspects of greatest concern to companies in the sector, according to the aforementioned study, is cybersecurity. In more detail, for manufacturers and logistics operators or transport companies, this aspect ranks fourth with 35% and 40% respectively. “This is an issue that we need to be particularly vigilant about in the coming years and to which we have greater exposure due to increasing digitization,” the study highlights.

The digitization of document management also raises questions about data protection, as various logistics and transport managers expressed at the latest edition of the FIELDEAS Talks.

In general, companies are willing to integrate an eCMR system into their operations. However, companies first need to ensure data protection and be certain that external parties will only have access to the data they want to show.

Indeed, the eCMR guarantees data protection in several ways:

Data protection regulations

As we have seen, all companies, regardless of their scope, are obliged to comply with the RGPD and the LOPDGDD. Therefore, when integrating an eCMR (or any other) solution, this obligation remains.

Advanced electronic signature

As we have seen in the post “How the advanced electronic signature should be integrated in the eCMR or electronic transport document”.In addition, all electronic transport documents must be accompanied by the advanced digital signature, which must be uniquely linked to the signatory; must allow identification of the signatory; must have been created under the signatory’s exclusive control; and must be linked to the data signed by the person, in such a way that any subsequent modification of the data is detectable.

Cybersecurity

The main guarantor of data protection and the fight against cyber-attacks is to have a good department and a good cybersecurity strategy within the company. Thus, when integrating new systems, such as eCMR, the protection of the company’s data will continue to be guaranteed.

In addition, the very fact of digitizing document management already provides greater security. The traditional custody and storage of paper documents, which often deteriorate or get lost and are much easier for third parties to access than in the digital environment, is eliminated.

SeamLess eCMR FIELDEAS FIELDEAS Track and Trace, a guarantee of security

The FIELDEAS Track and Trace eCMR solution ensures data security throughout the entire transport process. In addition, it records all movements throughout the operation and detects all levels of subcontracting, which are often the blind spots in the chain.

In addition, the SeamLess eCMR of FIELDEAS Track and Trace has the advanced electronic signature throughout the transport process, requesting it in the different actions of verification of events that occur (collection of goods, control in transit, subcontracting, arrival at the platform…).

The different forms of advanced electronic signature of FIELDEAS Track and Trace are:

• Through the SmartPhone. Biometric signature through our App or our online web channel, which collects all the information of the signature in terms of traceability, speed, acceleration…
• Through OTP. We use the OTP (One-Time Password) mechanism through SMS or WhatsApp channels to ensure that the user is who he/she says he/she is and that the signer can be identified and the process is valid.
• Digital stamp. Signing processes can be automated by all actors in the chain through the use of a digital certificate, which saves time in the process.

The FIELDEAS eCMR also complies with data protection regulations and is fully guaranteed by law and regulations.