In his recent op-ed on The Hill, Duncan Wood, Vice President for Strategy Accounts and Government Relations at Visualogyx, makes a powerful case for why trade transparency is not just an economic issue—it’s a matter of national security. He highlights how the lack of visibility in global supply chains allows bad actors to exploit weaknesses, enabling everything from the smuggling of weapons and drugs to the illicit transfer of sensitive technologies.
Wood calls for enhanced international cooperation, improved data sharing, and stronger inspection and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard against these threats. His message is clear: we need greater transparency not only in what moves across borders, but in who is moving it—and what exactly is in it.
At Visualogyx, this perspective deeply resonates. We’re at the frontlines of improving trade and inspection transparency through digital tools that provide real-time visibility, traceability, and accountability. In line with Wood’s thinking, we believe the path to safer global trade lies in better systems, better data, and better oversight.
One emerging concept that aligns with this vision is KYP—Know Your Product. Much like KYC (Know Your Customer) in finance, KYP emphasizes the importance of truly understanding the origin, composition, and chain of custody of goods in a global marketplace. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about trust.
KYP goes beyond the barcode. It asks:
- Where did this product come from?
- Has it been altered, tampered with, or substituted?
- Has it been inspected by a verified party?
- Is there a transparent record of how it got here?
Answering these questions isn’t just good business—it’s good policy. And as Duncan Wood suggests, it’s increasingly essential to our collective security.
At Visualogyx, we’re proud to follow KYP principles through our platform. From real-time photo verification and inspection reports to audit trails and flagging anomalies, we provide the infrastructure that companies need to verify what they’re shipping, receiving, and using.
The future of trade is transparent, and we’re building the tools to get there.
