If a CTPAT facility has poor lighting in cargo areas, what is the recommended requirement?

• A. Adequate lighting must be provided inside and outside, including cargo areas.
• B. Lighting can be reduced during night hours.
• C. Lighting is not relevant to security.
• D. Lighting should be installed only at entrances.

Answer: (A)

Adequate lighting across the facility is a basic security control in CTPAT. Providing sufficient light inside and outside, including cargo areas, ensures visibility for workers, security patrols, and surveillance systems. When areas are well-lit, it’s harder for intruders to hide, tampering to go unnoticed, and camera footage to be unclear, which strengthens deterrence and detection and supports safe handling and access control.

Less lighting at night would create vulnerabilities by increasing blind spots and reducing the effectiveness of surveillance. Lighting being irrelevant is incorrect, and limiting lighting to entrances ignores critical cargo zones where security breaches can occur.