“While pin codes has been the norm, it is not essentially safe and considered an elegant way of working”
Hans Vercruyssen is the current IT project manager at Remant and conversing with T-Mining regarding their first experiences with Secure Container Release, a new application that makes the release of containers in the port safer and efficient. "We only have positive feedback!" Hanse explains "at Remant we like to embrace innovative solutions."
Bad Intentions
"While working with pin codes has been the norm, it is not essentially safe and considered an elegant way of working" Hans admits. "Within our sector, these pin codes are used to collect containers as they are being unloaded at the terminal. Exchanging sensitive information via pin codes between different parties via email has become outdated. If something goes wrong, it can be difficult to trace the source of where the problem began. Due to this, using email is not suitable for organizing operational activities. However, due to ease and popularity, it is often difficult to do otherwise. Moreover, it is not easy to prevent someone from doing unauthorized things with this. Employees who have access to sensitive information also run the risk of being approached by people with malicious intentions. Everyone in the chain who has access to susceptible information is at stake. Therefore, this problem is universal."
Snake
"We soon saw the possibility of a solution that can replace PINs. For example, Secure Container Release uses blockchain technology. This advanced technology surprisingly reminds me of Snake, the popular game known from Nokia mobile phones. As a container is released, each block of information is added to the chain and becomes longer. As Remant is a logistics service provider, we would be in the middle of the chain. However, blockchain's unique thing is that it becomes possible to transfer information about containers incapable of being copied or stolen. Due to this, our employees no longer have to deal with any information leaks. We urge our transporters to jump on the train, so they no longer use pin codes to share sensitive information."
Next Level
"In May, we switched to Secure Container Release with our Remant Cool business unit. At first glance, it looks as if our import employees use a standard web application. After logging in, the application immediately shows an overview of all releases. The screen works intuitively like any regular modern application, making our work more efficient and transparent than with email. Recently, we registered a second entity on Secure Container Release. However, during the set-up procedure, something went wrong technically, and we received professional and quick support immediately by Hasi, who is responsible for support T-Mining. We plan to connect our other business units and integrate Secure Container Release API in the future, making everything 'the next level'. By upgrading our technology, we can automate our way of working and streamline our processes."
Safety
"By using digital wallets, I believe that application is extremely secure. Digital wallets are installed on our server and form a link between the web application and our network. This link can then prevent hackers from breaking in remotely or stealing passwords from users and release containers in our name. With this wallet, all transactions are also signed via the blockchain. You can compare this with a bank application's digital signature without a card reader making the process faster and user-friendly. By having the ability to track past actions, it makes the ability to spot a possible problem."
Collaboration
"Today, a lot is happening in the field of innovation in the port of Antwerp, which we can be proud of that. Think of NxtPort, who helps make our port modern and digital. We can see a future of complementary applications emerge, which will help reinforce each other even further with collaboration and exploiting each other's strengths. Our top priority is to safeguard the safety and competitiveness of our port of Antwerp!"