A new weapon will be deployed against cargo theft starting today: a national system intended to provide more efficient, accurate, and timely sharing of cargo-theft information between freight carriers, shippers, their insurers and law enforcement.

CargoNet is a new database and secure information-sharing network constructed by ISO Crime Analytics Inc. along  with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) to coordinate data-sharing and provide training and investigative support for law enforcement as well as with theft-prevention services and analytics.

“Information sharing is the key in the battle against cargo thieves,” Maurizio Scrofani, managing director of CargoNet, told FleetOwner. “It not only allows law enforcement to react faster when thefts occur, it helps develop intelligence as to where thefts are occurring, what goods are being stolen, plus what modes and/or freight lanes are being targeted. Information also helps transport providers identify where they should deploy the greatest security – to be proactive instead of reactive to cargo theft trends.”

In development since late 2009, CargoNet officially goes live at 1 pm EST today. The system is set up so member companies – transport providers, insurers, shippers, etc. – can quickly provide details to law enforcement about cargo thefts.

However, stressed Scrofani, only law enforcement gets access to these details – the system intentionally “masks” the details insurers and others can access, so transportation companies in particular don’t risk higher premiums simply by reporting cargo thefts.

Over time, Scrofani said CargoNet will develop more detailed analysis of the cargo- theft data received so it can map out trends and provide insight back to members.

“We have a handful of analysts in our ‘control room,’ if you will, breaking this data down,” he explained. “As we move forward, we hope to use the cargo theft information we receive to help our members better mitigate risk. For example, if we see more thefts occurring on a lane between point A and B, we could recommend shipments travel from point A to point C and then to point B to avoid that area. Information about what’s being stolen – say, high definition TVs – can give members the opportunity to increase security on those shipments as they will know they are being targeted.”