guide to the security measures that are helping to protect Canada’s emerging cannabis industry
Presented
by:
Sponsored by:
Caliber Communications
FEATURES
6
GROWTH MARKET
With legalized recreational marijuana on the horizon, security providers are reaping the rewards and ramping up their businesses.
BY ELLEN COOLS
14
COMBINING PHYSICAL AND LOGICAL SECURITY INTO A COHESIVE PLAN
IP-based security infrastructure has many advantages, but it requires an increased focus on cyber security.
BY WAEL LAHOUD
18
SECURING CANNABIS FROM POINT A TO POINT B
Transportation of valuable goods requires a well-thought-out risk management strategy.
BY THOMAS GERSTENECKER
The impending legalization and regulating of cannabis in Canada has dramatically increased not only the number of special dispensary and production operations but, the rules that govern them as well. As a result, we are seeing many production businesses scrambling to determine their security needs and grappling with the complex guidelines provided by Health Canada. Like many other facilities that handle sensitive products, medical marijuana security requirements are quite extensive. It’s crucial that marijuana growing facilities utilize proven experts to handle their facility’s security needs. The Bulldog Fire & Security team has an in depth understanding of:
• Medical Marijuana Production Security and Clearances.
• Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR).
Because this is such a new field, it’s critical that businesses work with legitimate and experienced security solution providers to ensure that their business meets all requirements. Bulldog Fire & Security have worked with partners in this industry for several years and have completed numerous facilities. Our knowledgeable staff will work with your consultants and contractors to build a customized solution to protect your facility from physical break-ins or digital invasions to your information networks. We offer a variety of solutions and services including:
ACCESS CONTROL – ID cards and key fobs work along side card readers allowing you to manage and monitor access to your facility and specific areas within it.
IP Video – A combination of interior and exterior cameras will allow you to monitor your investments, record data, and protect your products and employees.
Integrated Security Systems and Fence Perimeter Intrusion – These systems detect and alert you of events such as intrusion or fire. A well-designed system will work to protect your building and its inhabitants in the event of danger.
ULC Listed Monitoring – Our in-house ULC listed monitoring station will provide your building with 24-hour coverage alerting you and the authorities of any alarms or emergencies.
Data Comm & Structured Cabling – We offer a complete end to end certified Networking solution for all your IT structured cabling needs for computer terminals, scales, and wireless access points
Each project we undertake begins with full review of your site and operations in conjunction with your consultants and contractors so that we can design the perfect solution for you. This collaborative effort is part of our dedication to working with you every step of the way to ensure that your facility is compliant so that you can get your business up and running quickly. This collaboration will include:
• Threat Risk Assessment
• Security Site Plan
• Security Floor Plans
• Separate Secure Storage Security Plan
• Description of Security Plan
• Detailed Security Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• Resume of Suitable Quality Assurance
• Security Background Checks
Regardless of your security needs or facility size, Bulldog Fire & Security has the expertise to navigate the complex needs of your medical marijuana operations. We pride ourselves on using innovative, cutting edge technology to build customized solutions for our customer’s unique businesses. For over 18 years, we have specialized in security integration, quickly garnering a reputation for quality work, innovation, and excellent customer service. As a result of the efforts of our professional staff, and the success of our clients, we have established ourselves as innovation leaders within our industry.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BULLDOG FIRE AND SECURITY, please visit us online at www.bulldogfireandsecurity.com, or call 1 866 670 1590 or email bdsales@bulldogsecurity.ca to speak to us in person.
GROWTH MARKET
Marijuana, both medical and soon-to-be legal recreational versions of the substance, has created a groundswell of opportunity for security providers
By Ellen Cools
T“his is a huge business opportunity,” says David Hyde, when asked how the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis under The Cannabis Act will impact the security business.
Hyde, owner and principal consultant at David Hyde and Associates, a risk management and security services consultancy based in Toronto, is not alone in this belief. Even prior to legalization, companies and consultants have seen opportunities to expand their business under the ACMPR, or the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulation.
Toronto-based INKAS Security Services, an armoured messenger and courier services company, for example, recently announced a preferred vendor relationship with Canopy Growth Corporation whereby INKAS will provide secure transportation services for medical cannabis across all Canopy Growth locations and subsidiaries. Canopy, based in Smiths Falls, Ont., operates brands including Tweed, Spectrum Cannabis and Bedrocan Canada.
INKAS is also planning to expand its services with the pending
legalization of recreational cannabis, says the company’s CEO Victor Goodman.
The Cannabis Act is expected to take effect by mid-summer, and will include new security provisions and regulations for licensed producers (LPs) and retail stores to follow.
So what should security directors, consultants and other security service providers be aware of when trying to enter this new market?
Jeff Hannah, owner and principal consultant, JH & Associates, agrees, saying that service providers “should be in research mode.”
In fact, Health Canada recently announced two changes to the physical security requirements for cannabis facilities under the ACMPR.
“You’re not going to deal with the kinds of business structures that you’re used to — you need to learn the idiosyncrasies.”
New market, new challenges Hyde’s advice to those looking to enter the industry is to be wellprepared. Before legalization, he says that security service providers have to understand the federal and provincial laws, and how those laws will change over time.
The industry is a “very, very fastpaced and evolving industry,” Hyde says, “so what makes sense in one month, may change a little the next month or the month after that.”
— David Hyde, David Hyde andAssociates
LPs are no longer required to maintain a highsecurity vault for the storage of cannabis products; instead, they are only required to store cannabis within a secure area of their facility.
Additionally, LPs are no longer required to maintain 24/7 video surveillance inside the rooms where cannabis is being cultivated, propagated or harvested. However, all access points to these rooms must be under 24/7 surveillance and recording.
Since then, “the way in which the cannabis industry is moving forward in terms of security is in continuous flux and development,” says Thomas Gerstenecker, CEO and founder, 3Sixty
Secure Corp., based in Ottawa.
As a rather “unconventional” industry, Hyde says, “it doesn’t have business maturity, to a certain extent.”
Consequently, “you’re not going to deal with the kinds of business structures that you’re used to, so you need to learn the idiosyncrasies and … the nature of the industry — how it works, how it functions, what the criticalities are [and] what the industry norms are.”
Currently, says Hannah, the focus is on the licensed producers.
As such, with the Cannabis Act, there will be a need for additional production, distribution, retail and secure transportation.
He suggests that those hoping to capitalize on this new market look at companies who have been awarded request for proposals (RFPs) from provinces regarding retail cannabis security.
Additionally, “you really need to understand where that change [the Cannabis Act] is going and how that’s going to reshape the industry, and how the industry is going to be expanding and evolving under new laws,” Hyde says.
Expanding growth opportunities
Despite the difficulties of entering a new, somewhat “unconventional” industry, there is plenty of evidence to indicate the cannabis market will provide opportunities for growth.
Gerstenecker says 3Sixty Secure’s growth has been “significant, to say the least,” as a result of the legalization of medical cannabis.
“Within a six-month span, we have grown from just under 20 staff to more than 100 Canada-wide, and we project that we will exceed 200 by the fall of this year,” he elaborates.
Gerstenecker’s background includes a senior security position at the United Nations (for which he received Canadian Security magazine’s Security Director of the Year award in 2011) and, more recently, a security consulting role for the FIFA Women’s World Cup of soccer when it was held
in Canada in 2015.
Today, he says 80 per cent of his overall business focuses on cannabis, and believes it will be 90 per cent within a few months.
However, this does not mean 3Sixty Secure has stopped providing different aspects of security. Within the cannabis-specific area, he says, there is still a site security assessment component, a security guarding component and secure transport.
Likewise, Hyde has seen massive growth.
“Five years ago, I was operating a three-person security consultancy,” he says. Now he has 13 employees, and 90 per cent of his work focuses on the cannabis industry.
In addition, Goodman says the legalization of recreational cannabis presents another growth opportunity for INKAS — not just for their core services in transportation, but also for
their truck manufacturing business and in-house technology development firm. Currently, INKAS provides secure transportation of live and dried cannabis between grower facilities and processing centres in B.C., P.E.I., Ontario and Quebec.
Once the Cannabis Act is in effect, the company “will see secure transportation of live and packaged medical and recreational marijuana between processing facilities and growers, but also required between legal producers to government controlled distribution centres right across Canada — so all provinces,” says Goodman.
Technology-wise, there will be a “need for enhanced traceability, track and traceability measures put in place to ensure that there is transparent shipping and distribution as volumes increase and increase further over time,” he explains.
3Sixty’s armed security agents, Nick Gott and Osama Halawah, ready to transport a shipment of cannabis.
Caliber Communications is a technology-based Canadian company that was created as a flexible, cost effective and reliable replacement to physical guarding services. The company has engineered and developed a unique communications platform that operates on cellular infrastructure anywhere in North America. To date, this platform has been specifically utilized for applications requiring remote security monitoring in a variety of industries, locations and settings. The platform is completely modular and independent of existing infrastructure, which allows the units to be set up anywhere they are required to provide effective security coverage. If power is not readily available, the units can easily be powered with solar panels. All units include as many stationary cameras that are required to establish 360 degrees of situational coverage and awareness. Additionally, all units come equipped with a PTZ camera (pan, tilt, zoom) to drill into the images and gather specific data for evidence.
Units are pre-manufactured and configured in-house; they are capable of being installed in minutes which means the LIVE security monitoring services can begin immediately protecting your assets and your locations once power is applied to the unit. The Monitoring of LIVE video streams produced from Caliber’s units is conducted in house from their UL certified monitoring center in Stoney Creek Ontario.
Caliber Communications is the only company in the world providing continuous real time remote “Live Monitoring” services. All other companies providing remote monitoring services are using “Alert Based” systems operating on restrictive cable internet lines. Because Caliber’s monitoring operators are watching your sites LIVE utilizing 4k video stream to their monitoring stations, they are able to deter 98% of activities as they are occurring and before they become incidents. Each unit comes equipped with a strobe light, a siren and a live 2-way communication speaker; which are effectively used by the monitoring operators for deterrence and live remote communications to suspicious individuals or vehicles in real time. Automated messages can be created to specifically handle all incidents which may occur on your sites. Caliber Communications utilizes cutting-edge technology license plate readers, previously only used by government and law enforcement. These plate readers provide the unique ability to track known offenders anytime they show up at a site where a Caliber unit exists. Caliber is currently compiling the largest civilian intelligence database for vehicles in Canada. This technology allows their Video Analysts to conduct investigations in a timely manner without the need to manually review video footage.
Their SyncroReports provides the world’s-first real time reporting system. All logs are available to the client through an internet portal.
Their LIVE monitoring hours are industry standards from 6pm - 6am Monday to Friday and 24 hours Saturday Sunday and stat holidays. Video review is available upon incident or request. Their monitoring staff work closely with local police departments. All monitoring and video review is done in their Stoney Creek facility and each client is provided with a secure portal to remotely access any video required for incidents or investigations. All monitoring activities and license plates captured with Caliber’s platform are databased and utilized residually to help secure all of their clients’ locations. Data back up is approximately 21 day minimum.
Caliber Communications
Caliber Communications provides LIVE Remote Video Monitoring services on fast LTE cellular networks.
From viewing log reports including high res images, actions, observations, and audio recordings of voice commands, to searching captured license plates, syncroReports, allows clients to see, and be alerted in real time, of the actions taken by Caliber Monitoring staff on their properties.
Finally, their truck manufacturing business is expanding because of the requirements specific to transporting cannabis, particularly the ambient temperatures that keep the cannabis in good shape for long transportation runs.
“This has opened up a real niche opportunity for INKAS to manufacture these customized vehicles and build them from the ground up, and make sure they’re compliant with the law and the legal producers themselves,” Goodman explains.
Retail = revenue
Additionally, “once recreational use is legalized, the role of security service providers (i.e., consulting, monitoring, guarding and transporting) will be expanded from within licensed facilities to applying these services to the retail market. This means major security service needs within the country,” says Gerstenecker.
“We are in new territory — and will be over the next couple of years until the ‘green-rush’ settles.”
— Thomas Gerstenecker, 3Sixty Secure Corp.
For security service providers looking to enter the market, Hyde says he believes there are plenty of new opportunities.
Today, there are 90 cultivation sites that are federally regulated, he says, and this will grow to 150 by midsummer. Each of these sites will need security systems and guards.
Retail stores will need cameras and intrusion alarms at the very least, Hyde adds.
Gerstenecker says that the stores will “need a level of security, from the design, to monitoring, and in some cases perhaps even a level of static security [guarding].”
With regards to transportation, “the secure transport footprint will see significant growth in this space as it pertains to bulk shipment, and go-tomarket shipments, which is in addition to the already high demands within licensed facilities,” he says.
Ultimately, “while there are trusted
security providers well entrenched within the cannabis sector…this space has room for more — although newcomers into this space had best do their homework on knowing the market and associated regulations before entering.”
Regulatory gaps
Part of doing your homework includes being aware of regulatory gaps that impact security, particularly transportation security.
“While we continue to see the evolution of robust and defined applications of physical security directives and measures for licensed cannabis facilities,” explains Gerstenecker, “the area within the transport/shipment of cannabis, whether it be genetics or dried product, remains less than clear.”
In fact, under the ACMPR, there are no regulations regarding the transportation of medical cannabis.
As a result, the industry, particularly providers of secure transportation services, are setting their own security standards.
“We work closely with the licensed producers and Health Canada to
Medium-payload vehicle based on Mercedes Sprinter — part of INKAS’ vehicle fleet.
ensure cannabis is secured to the extent possible during transportation,” explains Gerstenecker.
Likewise, INKAS has been “working very closely with legal producers to create standard operating procedures that have never been in place in the market before,” says Goodman.
The company is treating cannabis as “another valuable in transit,” and has “customized built armoured vehicles with temperature-controlled trucks for the transportation of live and dried cannabis.”
However, Goodman points out that it is unclear whether the LPs should be “providing transportation for these products and taking on the risk of the transportation of medical and recreational marijuana.”
He believes if LPs transport cannabis themselves, “this will leave companies taking unnecessary transport risks and risks in general.”
There are also some concerns about the probability of stolen cannabis and proliferation into the black market.
Gerstenecker says one of the most common questions his company is asked by LPs is, “Why do we need to have secure transport given they don’t use it for alcohol?”
“If you transport 1500kgs of dried cannabis or alcohol, the difference is about $12,000,000,” he says in response. The weight to value ratio is drastically different when comparing alcohol to cannabis.
Additionally, Gerstenecker believes market-ready cannabis can easily be proliferated into the black market.
“A vanload of cannabis can easily be moved because it’s not that heavy… and there’s no distinguishable markings on it,” he explains. “So once it’s out of the packaging, it’s like any other dried cannabis product, so it would be untraceable and unrecognizable from any type of branding.
“The impact of Canada’s first cannabis robbery whilst in transit will have significant consequences both politically, and [in] other areas such
as stakeholder consequences,” he says. “It’s not a question of if, but when.”
However, Hannah believes that, once the cannabis industry has matured, armoured cars and guards won’t be required.
“I think people believe that… cannabis is going to be rampant, that it’s going to fuel a black market…and I really don’t think that’s going to be the case,” he says. “I think that when the market for legal recreational cannabis stabilizes, it’s going to end up looking very similar to alcohol.”
Regulations regarding transportation are expected to be included in the Cannabis Act, says Hyde, but the details of those rules are not yet known.
“We are in new territory, and will be over the next couple of years until the ‘green-rush’ settles,” adds Gerstenecker. “Until then, we will continue to push for baseline standards when it comes to the secure transport of cannabis.”
Holistic security
To capitalize on the cannabis market, not only is it important to be aware of regulatory gaps, but also of the strict physical security regulations under the ACMPR.
The ACMPR focuses on barriers, doors, gates, ceilings and other
aspects of the physical security of cannabis facilities. It is also focused on technological security and systems, including cameras, access control, intrusion, and more, explains Hyde.
“But it’s not at all focused on procedural security, on security protocols … emergency response protocols, business continuity, IT and cybersecurity,” he says.
Hyde does not believe the regulations should cover every aspect of security or be a “cure all.” However, his concern arises from the fact that there are strict physical security regulations, “but the rest is left at the discretion of the business.... People are so focused on those specialized and fairly intricate, detailed requirements that … they’re not really focused on a much wider range of more traditional risk management and business protocols,” he elaborates.
These traditional risk management protocols are “square pegs to go into round holes right now,” says Hyde, “because companies are so slavishly focused on adhering to these difficult and detailed and challenging regulations.”
Hannah agrees that a more holistic approach is necessary. However, “when you don’t have the evidence…you need to analyze and come up with that more holistic approach, there’s a tendency to need to lean on regulation.”
“We need to be able to pivot and move towards these more traditional business disciplines,” Hyde adds.
This pivot has begun, he says, particularly as more traditional security providers enter the industry.
As such, businesses may have an advantage when entering the new market: their experience with traditional risk management.
“I don’t think a regulation is what we need,” Hannah concludes. “Security has some core methodologies in terms of analyzing risk and coming up with counter-measures that are appropriate, and we’re going to apply those methodologies here, and I think eventually we’re going to end up with a great industry.”
Thomas Gerstenecker
WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
By Georges E. Routhier Sr., CEO, PipeDreemz Inc.
What’s your backup plan if disaster strikes your cannabis business?
Most companies don’t have one because everyone thinks it will never happen to them, but disasters do happen. Whether called a “disaster recovery plan” (DRP) or a “business continuity plan” (BCP) the end game is the same. Both processes are equally important because they provide detailed strategies on how the business will continue after severe interruptions and disasters. The disaster recovery plan what steps it will take to ensure that operations can be restored. Disaster recovery describes all the steps involved in planning for and adapting to a potential disaster with a road map that will restore operations while minimizing the long-term negative impact on the company. Your goal is to resume operations and fiscal stability, as quickly as possible after a disruptive event. This lack of preparedness threatens the viability of any company and needs to be addressed. Creating and maintaining a disaster/ business recovery plan helps ensure that your business has the resources and information needed to deal with an emergency. A well-designed plan will help you minimize the risk that an emergency poses to your employees, clients and suppliers, the continuity of your business operations and your bottom line.
Early Preparation for an Emergency or Disaster is Vital to Company Survival
In most cases, emergencies and disasters occur with little or no warning. The information in your plan will help to ensure the safety of employees, and emergency responders, minimize financial loss, property damage, and protect the environment. Your emergency response plan should include an overview of your property, identifying the location of storage areas, buildings, emergency equipment, utilities, wells and surface water. It should also include information on hazardous and flammable substances stored at the facility and emergency contact telephone numbers. Having a comprehensive contingency plan may be useful should the question of due diligence arise because of an emergency situation. It is also critical that insurance policies be obtained and kept up to date to ensure eligibility for relevant emergency financial assistance.
To be prepared, companies should start developing contingency plans well in advance. Specifically, you should consider creating an emergency and disaster preparedness and response plan specifically for your company. After getting senior management buy in you will need to assemble a core team from all the critical areas in your company who will be responsible for the plan. You will need to do risk assessments and prioritized regarding both probability of occurrence and damage potential, key team members are identified and recruited. The team will decide on what the essential services/functions are, and the ranking or areas affected and degree of influence on the business. Action plans should be considered for all identified critical business elements. Some suggestions are:
ACTIVATION OF PLAN
Action Plan for Maintaining Essential Service/Activity: Company
Action Plan for Maintaining Essential Service/Activity: Key Customers
Action Plan for Maintaining Essential Service/Activity: Critical Suppliers
Action Plan for Maintaining Essential Service/Activity: Business Partners
Action Plan for Maintaining Essential Service/Activity: Support Providers
All Hazard – Emergency Preparedness Workbook
It is imperative that organizations not only develop a DRP but also test it, train personnel and document it properly before a real disaster occurs. You have worked hard to develop your business. Don’t let a disaster destroy your dream, plan for the impact of an emergency on your business.
WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?
Streamlined Application Review and Assembly –
Minimal client input required; PipeDreemz will facilitate the majority of the process for you.
Application Gap Analysis –
A comprehensive review service for clients who prefer to assemble the application themselves. We provide valuable feedback on the progress of your application ensuring content is where it should be, based on regulations and best practices.
Site Approval –
Site location is critical. We will review and report on our client’s site acceptability based on all applicable ACMPR regulations.
*Note: not all requirements are published.
Security Design & Implementation –
Internal and external security design and installation of security systems.
Business Plan Review –
Are your investment numbers correct? Based on our experiences, we can review these numbers and fine-tune your business plan.
Standard Operating Procedures –
We can supply you with recommended procedural guidelines (SOPs) for processes within the facility, QA/QC, Security, Production, RecordKeeping and Sanitation
Engineering Design –
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Production Practices (GPP) are applied to the building design, advice and recommendations on equipment, and everything in between.
Regulatory Oversight –
We keep your builder and facility within the regulations and security requirements.
On-Site Training –
Our multidisciplinary team will visit your site and train your staff on the required regulatory processes and procedures.
Production Planning –
We can do all your production planning and flow. We have 45 years experience with production planning for commercial production facilities including marijuana.
Financial Projections –
We can project your revenue, building costs, and facility production.
Sourcing of Equipment and Personnel –
We will assist in recommending the equipment needed to make the facility fully operational, and source professionals to staff your facility
Multidisciplinary Support –
Our team is multidisciplinary – we cover sanitation, production, security, fertigation, record-keeping, production, GMP, GPP, GLP and much more.
Let’s talk today!
We look forward to providing proven facility services tailored for your success.
Combining physical and logical security into a cohesive plan
By Wael Lahoud
Over the past five years, Canadian businesses have seen the threat of hacktivism, cyber extortion and the incidences of data breaches grow exponentially.
N o industry is immune to these threats, not even license producers of cannabis across Canada.
For every LP, securing their operation is not optional; furthermore, managing their risks of exposure to regulatory scrutiny, litigation, reputational costs, and business loss is becoming a daily task they cannot ignore. Throw in the mandatory breach reporting, notification measures, and the costly fines proposed by the Digital Privacy Act (Bill S-4) and its amendments to PIPEDA, security concerns for LPs are only going to increase in complexity.
Canada’s Access to Cannabis
for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) act stipulates requirements for physical security at cannabis production facilities. Many producers — whether licensed or in the licensing application phase — rely on physical security integrators or consultants for selecting the proper security equipment and measures to comply with ACMPR regulations. Unfortunately, the security design plans, selection of equipment and their implementations are often executed in silos without an overarching organizational-wide security program that includes a holistic view of cyber security and its related business risks.
Current physical security technologies, such as video surveillance, electronic access control, intrusion detection, and their monitoring and management systems increasingly rely on IP networks. Most of this is done locally on-premise or
over wider networks spanning beyond the LPs premises and control. Despite the many advantages IP-based physical security systems present, the fact of the matter is that many are still vulnerable to cyber security attacks due to manufacturers lagging on securing their equipment throughout the production process or installers and designers not considering cyber security as a priority or part of their scope.
With the digital transformation trends in IT and the LPs’ shift to using operational technology (OT) for production, environmental and other building control efficiencies, it is not uncommon to see IoT and physical security systems converging on a unified network platform. In other words, security is now operating alongside other business-critical systems that deal with clients’ private health and sensitive data. Because of
SMART SECURITY: When it comes to developing an LP’s security plan, protecting one’s assets, facilities, staff and data should all be included from the get go.
this convergence of technology, LPs are now at risk of having potential security gaps that may be neglected or otherwise missed.
Other aspects of this problem include the misperception that designing and implementing physical security systems on segregated or separate IP networks eliminates the need for extensive cyber security measures. In fact, the converse is true in that the stakes are even higher when such networks are advertently or inadvertently linked to the production or enterprise networks to meet operational requirements. Examples include the remote video surveillance monitoring by third-party security service providers or even local monitoring by security managers over the corporate network. Again, this leaves LPs exposed to the same critical cyber security business risks and losses that are commonly reported in the news these days.
ACMPR Security
“Despite the many advantages IP-based physical security systems present, the fact of the matter is that many are still vulnerable to cyber security attacks.”
Compliance is a regulatory requirement, and it should not be considered an ultimate secure state for LPs as it may only provide them with a false sense of security. The incidences of cyber security breaches of physical security systems is on the rise, despite the hefty investments in traditional security measures, such as firewalls and anti-virus software. For me, relying solely on these old-school approaches and managing security in physical and logical silos within an organization is simply not working.
Security should no doubt be a critical aspect of every LP’s business plan and ultimate success. It is a complicated and expensive issue that cannot be ignored — an issue that is only going to become more complex because of the converged relationship between an LP’s physical and cyber security controls, measures and processes.
Security Pointers
Embrace organizational change by assigning an organization-wide qualified security leader accountable for all aspects of IT, OT, physical security, and even IoT.
Actively engage cyber security subject matter experts or independent consultants, not associated with any manufacturer or security service provider, in all facets of IT, OT and physical security planning, design, implementation, and operations.
Develop a comprehensive and converged security program while ensuring that overall electronic security measures and their overall architecture form part of the organizational cyber security program.
Avoid replicating the risks associated with flawed physical security designs and invest the proper time and resources in analyzing your organizations’ specific cyber security risks. Replicating vulnerabilities may expose your business as well.
Have a cyber security plan ready and be sure to practice it — cyber security should not be an afterthought.
LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS: ENSURING CANADIANS SAFETY WITHOUT BURDENING POLICE OFFICERS
Open letter by the Honourable Christian Paradis, Senior Vice President at GardaWorld and former federal minister from 2008 to 2015 (Public Works and Government Services, Natural Resources, Industry and International Development, and la Francophonie)
With the legalization of recreational use of cannabis on the horizon, several questions on security and enforcing laws and regulations are raised. GardaWorld mandated the leading firm in Canada, Ipsos Public Affairs1, to conduct a scientific survey on the use of security firms to support police forces to ensure the safety of Canadians regarding the legalization of cannabis.
GardaWorld is the largest privately owned security company in the world, providing security services, cash transportation and processing services, and pre-boarding control services in airports. Its 65,000 dedicated and highly-qualified professionals serve a diversified clientele throughout North America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, across a broad range of sectors, including financial institutions, infrastructures, natural resources and retail, governments and humanitarian organizations.
STRONG SUPPORT
Canadians expect a secure environment regarding the legalization of cannabis and have expressed a significant level of comfort relating to the involvement of serious private security firms in support of police officers.
For the past few years, GardaWorld and the private security industry have clearly expressed that they are ready to play a greater role in supporting police forces. The industry can fulfill the duties for which its guards have been duly trained and regulated.
SECURITY THROUGHOUT THE VALUE CHAIN
GardaWorld is uniquely positioned, both geographically and strategically, to provide security solutions across the entire cannabis value chain: from cannabis production to consumption by product users.
One example that quickly comes to mind is a truck full of cannabis which leaves the production site and has to travel a few hundred kilometres to the storage facility. This truck can be a target for criminals; a much larger target than a truck loaded with food, toys, or alcohol. GardaWorld can offer a secure transportation service, as it already does, with cash transportation.
IN SUPPORT OF PROVINCES, MUNICIPALITIES, AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES
While elected municipal officials across the country express concern about the costs of implementing cannabis legalization, GardaWorld can provide less expensive solutions that are supported by the public.
We can help ensure the safety of the public, workers and goods at cannabis storage facilities, production sites, and points of sale. Furthermore, by enforcing laws and regulations related to the legalization of cannabis, such as monitoring public areas where consumption will be prohibited, transportation, storage and points of sale, GardaWorld is able to provide high quality, sophisticated services all while ensuring the safety of the population.
PUTTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACES
Police forces are responding to increasingly complex crimes and criminals. The majority of Canadians believe police officers should focus their work on tracking down criminals for investigations and patrolling, as opposed to managing traffic or issuing parking tickets. We should all make sure that our police forces are assigned to as many tasks for which they alone are trained to undertake.
Hence, the legalization of cannabis should not place an unnecessary burden on our police officers by assigning them additional tasks that are not exclusive to their line of work. GardaWorld is qualified and well-equipped to perform such tasks, and more importantly, Canadians are in favour of this notion.
The survey involved 1,007 Canadians and was conducted between October 27 and November 1, 2017.
SECURING THE CANNABIS VALUE CHAIN
As a national, fully integrated security services provider, GardaWorld is uniquely positioned to provide best-in-class, end-to-end security solutions throughout the cannabis value chain.
The best range of security solutions for the cannabis industry:
∎ Risk assessment and security consulting
∎ Production site surveillance
∎ Secure ground transportation
∎ Retail environment security
∎ Airport pick-ups and drop-offs
∎ Municipal bylaw enforcement
SECURING CANNABIS FROM POINT A TO POINT B
By Thomas Gerstenecker
Did you know that banks are not federally mandated to use armoured transport to move money, but they do.
T hey do this to reduce theft, keep insurance premiums low and maintain shareholder confidence — just to name a few reasons .
This also holds true in the cannabis industry for there are no regulatory requirements for using a security company to safely transport cannabis. However, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be used in support of Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR).
I am often asked, “Why do you need armed officers and armoured trucks for cannabis? Just use Canada Post... or, “You don’t see the provincial liquor stores using security when transporting liquor.” My answer
doesn’t always suggest armoured vehicles or armed officers. It all depends on the amount and value of what we transport — it’s all about applying fundamental risk management practices.
Theft from a cannabis transport vehicle has other higher risk factors, including: the ease of moving the packages; product being quickly introduced into the black market; the LP’s reputation is at stake; stakeholder confidence; and duty-of-care.
“Every time cannabis is transported between locations, you should have a secure transport plan in place.”
Regardless of the size of the operation, every LP should look at the security of their supply chain, including how they transport their product. Secure transportation may come in the form
of a soft-skin (non-armoured) van transporting 10 kg of dried cannabis, or 2,000 live plants delivered to an LP in a neighbouring province, or 600 cubic feet of cannabis transported across Canada. Whatever the situation, the key is getting the product to the end destination, and making sure the cannabis is delivered intact, especially when dealing with live plants.
Every time cannabis is transported between locations, an enhanced secure transport plan should be in place, which could include an armoured vehicle, armed officers, a detailed route and action plan, supported by real-time GPS monitoring and geo-fencing software, as well as
THEFT PROTECTION: When transporting cannabis, LPs must follow some basic risk management principles and have a chain of signature process in place.
other critical components, such as courier Chain of Signature software.
Chain of Signature
Chain of Signature is vital, regardless of size or value of load being transported. This allows companies to monitor each package/transport in real time using state-of-theart technology, in addition to the product to be released from the outgoing LP. Hence the need for extensive cannabis-specific liability insurance.
When it comes to securing the product via supply chain, LPs must always consider a number of critical factors, including when to use a secure transport supplier.
Optimal transit
The ability to not only provide
effective vehicle tracking, but enhanced real-time monitoring of the vehicle and cargo packaging itself is a key component of Chain of Signature.
Given the type of cargo being transported, it doesn’t always fall within the norm, at least not yet. As mentioned, ensuring your product is not compromised during transport may be critical to the growth of your operation, and may directly impact your customer and key stakeholder base. Below, I provide a few tips to keep in mind when partnering with a secure transport supplier.
Ideally, cannabis shouldn’t be transported in standard cash-intransit trucks that may have other liabilities, such as cash alongside, which may increase the risk of attacks. In addition, other variables include the cleanliness of the cargo area; the ability to have ambient temperature controlled systems (HVAC) for the product, particularly during extreme temperatures and longer haul shipments. The supplier vehicles should allow easy on and off loading via dock-level and/or forklift access. This reduces the time it takes to load/ unload (no hand-bombing), but also less wear and tear on the package itself, and less exposure to extreme temperatures, be it hot or cold.
Flexibility
Providers should be able to offer a menu of options. This allows greater flexibility when it comes to the type of vehicle used (armoured or nonarmoured), as well as the number of security officers, and if they are required to be armed or unarmed.
It all comes down to applying risk fundamentals, with the ultimate goal of saving time and money.
The ability to not only provide effective vehicle tracking, but also enhanced real-time monitoring of the vehicle and cargo packaging itself is a key component to Chain of Signature.
Knowledgeable drivers
LPs should have drivers who have security clearance, basic cannabis knowledge, and can appreciate the cargo they are transporting.
While the above points are certainly not exhaustive, they do provide a snapshot into some areas to be concerned with.
The cannabis market within Canada is moving fast, so when it comes to secure transport of the product in various forms, careful consideration must be given when using secure transport companies. A risk-based approach will also define the level of transport needed as many situations are unique. Ensuring Chain of Signature, cannabis-specific insurance coverage, enhanced efficiencies when loading/unloading, professional and cleared security officers, and providing the right ambient cargo environment are key aspects that will guarantee successful product delivery.
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Marijuana Facility Security Solutions
Why You Need Exceptional Security for Your Medical Marijuana Business
Earlier this year, Health Canada announced and implemented changes to the security requirements for ACMPR facilities. The changes re ect the past four years of operational history with licensed producers and relieve some of the restrictions previously in place. Two of the major changes to the security requirements are the elimination for the requirements for a vault, and the elimination for the requirement for 24/7 video coverage inside rooms where marijuana is cultivated, propagated or harvested. Of particular importance is the set of rules regarding physical security requirements for producers Subdivision C of the ACMPR legislation which lays out speci c security measures that must be followed to new applicants and current producers. Marijuana security is complex and on par with the security needs of banks, laboratories, and other facilities which must guard against high volumes of cash, sensitive products or information. These are indeed, exciting times for the ACMPR industry as Canada works to legalize marijuana beyond medical use and into the recreational marketplace. The government will continue to enact strict requirements for security in order to ensure that marijuana is produced and distributed legally to strict QC and Security standards.
Build a Secure Foundation for a Lucrative Future
Veridin Systems Canada works closely with Medical Marijuana producers to provide the most advanced security solutions focussed on helping you to obtain your producer’s license. We understand the security requirements Health Canada requires for your facility and will work with you and your team to design/build/maintain/monitor the required security system for your facility. Our checklist outlines what we need in order to create our security system design.
Solutions we o er include:
Security Site Plan
Security Floor Plans
Threat Risk Assessment
Description of Security Program (Security Master Plan)
Detailed Security SOPs
Resume of Suitable Quality Assurance Person
Security Background Checks of Anyone on the Application
We provide dual-authentication access control integrated with intrusion and alarm monitoring to provide the detection and authorized access requirements Health Canada demands. We o er CCTV solutions with advanced analytics technology designed to provide visual monitoring and recording of your facility 24-hours per day, 7-days per week, and we integrate this with our perimeter intrusion detection technology to provide video alarm veri cation to our ULC listed central stations. These solutions combined, will protect the perimeter and/or high-security areas within your facility and will meet or exceed the special security requirements of Health Canada, helping you obtain your license and adhere to the security requirements of Health Canada’s security requirements.
• Facility Access Control – Dual-factor authentication readers let you manage and monitor access to your facility, including limiting access to sensitive areas by authorized personnel.
• CCTV – A system of interior and exterior cameras will be positioned to record unauthorized activity at all times, day or night, to protect your employees, your products, and your nancial integrity. Our system design will provide visual recording of all areas where cannabis is present as per Health Canada.
• Security Systems – Detect and report critical events such as break-in, fire or floods to our 24-hour monitoring station. Video verification will ensure Health Canada’s requirement for 24-hour visual monitoring at all times.
