Migena Bardhaj, Director of Security at Albanian Post Corporation, drives postal security forward by aligning with international standards, enhancing infrastructure and equipping teams with the tools to safeguard global mail operations.
Why is postal security important?
Postal security is the cornerstone of a trusted postal system. It protects employees, customers, mail, financial services and critical infrastructure, while ensuring the safe and uninterrupted movement of postal items. Strong security builds public confidence, supports international trade and e-commerce, and enables postal operators to meet their universal service obligations.
How do you expand postal security in your Post, region or globally?
As Director of Security at Albanian Post, I lead the implementation of security policies, risk assessments and preventive measures across the postal network. I coordinate security awareness programmes, strengthen cooperation with law enforcement and customs authorities, and promote compliance with UPU security standards to improve national and international postal security.
Kelebogile Ofentse, Investigations Manager, Botswana Post, bolsters postal security through global and regional collaboration, supporting other designated operators in their security efforts and ensuring best practices are shared across the network.
Why is postal security important?
Postal security is critical for protecting postal assets – including employees, customers and business partners – against injury and loss of life, preventing mail violations, and stopping the transportation of dangerous goods and illicit trade through the postal network while preserving customer confidence. Through rigorous implementation of and compliance with UPU standards S58 and S59, postal security safeguards the integrity of cross-border supply chains, ensuring seamless interoperability between Posts, Customs and aviation security authorities. Ultimately, establishing robust, reliable security frameworks builds international trust and makes solid, long-term business sense for postal operations worldwide.
How do you expand postal security in your Post, region or globally?
Expansion is achieved by collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to deliver targeted training and awareness programmes on postal security standards and local regulatory compliance. At the Post level, this involves embedding Plan-Do-Check-Act quality frameworks into daily operations. Regionally, impact is driven through the regional Security Action Group. Moreover, designated operators are supported through UPU process review initiatives to prepare for and achieve formal S58 and S59 certification. Globally, expanding security relies on driving automation, standardizing reviewer guidelines, and enhancing multi-agency cooperation with customs and aviation bodies to create a harmonized, secure global postal network.
Bukeyev Bakytzhan, Head of Division, Internal Security Department, JSC QazPost, bolsters postal security through security certification initiatives, incorporation of new laws in the postal sector, training for neighbouring countries and a reduction in prohibited items in the postal network.
Why is postal security important?
- Privacy protection: Personal data, financial information, passwords and work documents should not be accessible to unauthorized persons.
- Fraud prevention: Attackers often use e-mail for phishing – spoofed e-mails designed to obtain logins, passwords or banking information.
- Compliance with legal requirements and corporate policies: For many organizations, securing correspondence is essential to comply with requirements for the protection of personal data and trade secrets.
- Identifying dangerous items during mailing is essential to ensure the safety of people, postal infrastructure and transport.
- Lithium batteries that are improperly packaged or transported in violation of regulations pose a particular risk.
- To detect dangerous items, postal services use inspections, X-ray machines, special detectors, verification of shipping documents and other control measures in accordance with applicable regulations and laws.
- Inspections involving service dogs are carried out.
- Cooperation with law enforcement agencies is also essential.
How do you expand postal security in your Post, region or globally?
Improving postal security requires a combination of organizational, technical and educational measures: install video surveillance and access control systems; restrict access to mail sorting and storage areas; check identities when releasing valuable items; use secure containers and safes for storing items; regularly train employees on security procedures and actions to take if suspicious packages are detected; organize information exchange between postal services and law enforcement agencies; equip sorting centres with modern inspection equipment (X-ray scanners for checking items); strengthen cooperation between countries to combat fraud and the illegal transportation of dangerous goods; exchange information on new threats and best security practices; and develop international training programmes for postal employees. A comprehensive approach combining physical security, cybersecurity, staff training and international cooperation can significantly reduce the risk of theft, fraud, information leakage and other threats to the postal service.
Hamed Suliman Aljahwari, Security Lead, Oman Post, bolsters postal security by improving the security function at the organizational level, establishing governance frameworks and managing cross-functional coordination.
Why is postal security important?
Postal security is essential because it protects people, mail, assets and the integrity of the global postal network. Every postal item represents the trust of customers, businesses and governments. Strong security reduces risks, ensures business continuity, and supports safe international mail exchange. We rely on the UPU S58/S59 Gold certification standards as our primary reference for protecting employees, assets and operations. For me, postal security is not only about compliance: it is about building a proactive security culture that strengthens trust and resilience across the entire postal supply chain.
How do you expand postal security in your Post, region or globally?
I expand postal security by combining practical improvements with international cooperation. I have led projects to enhance physical security through CCTV, access control, visitor management, risk assessments, emergency preparedness and security awareness. Beyond operational improvements, I actively support the implementation of UPU security standards and share best practices with other postal operators as an independent UPU consultant. I believe that collaboration, continuous learning and the adoption of internationally recognized standards are the most effective ways to strengthen postal security at the national, regional and global levels.
Noor Ul Saba, Director, International Postal Services, Pakistan Post, bolsters postal security by improving organizational security, strengthening confidence in the Post and the reliability of international mail services, and providing a resource-efficient model for enhancing security in the region.
Why is postal security important?
Postal security is not merely an operational requirement. It is a shared responsibility arising from the UPU principles of a single postal territory and freedom of transit. Since the postal network connects people, economies and governments across borders, a security failure in one country can have consequences far beyond its own territory. Therefore, postal security must be treated as a global priority, requiring designated operators, governments, Customs and law enforcement agencies to work together to protect the integrity of the postal network, safeguard people and mail, and maintain public trust in the universal postal service.
How do you expand postal security in your Post, region or globally?
The expansion of postal security depends largely on the resources, capacity and risk profile of each postal operator. Pakistan Post expands postal security through an integrated, risk-based approach covering the entire postal supply chain. The objective is to build a secure, resilient and trusted postal network without compromising the universal service obligation and freedom of transit. This includes strengthening the security of postal infrastructure, staff training, coordination with Customs and other relevant agencies, and compliance with electronic advance data requirements. At the regional and global levels, joint capacity building and stronger cooperation through the UPU and regional postal organizations are drivers of postal security.
Gregory Gillming, Postal Inspector and Programme Manager, USPIS, bolsters postal security through investigations, security audits and global collaboration, ensuring best practices are shared across the network.
Why is postal security important?
Postal security is essential because mail is trusted, reliable and still one of the most cost-effective means of transporting correspondence and goods worldwide. Every mail piece passes through multiple hands, making accountability and consistent security standards critical throughout the supply chain. When effectively implemented, these standards reduce risks, theft, loss and other security threats while maintaining public confidence in the postal system and supporting global commerce. Most importantly, they protect the safety of customers and every employee who handles the mail. As risks continue to evolve, postal security professionals must embrace emerging technologies and continuously improve security practices to safeguard the integrity of the global postal network.
How do you expand postal security in your Post, region or globally?
I strive to build strong partnerships and advance initiatives at the local, regional and global levels. I have revised key UPU publications, including the Airport Mail Security Manual, to strengthen international security standards. At my facility, I have led large-scale safety and security enforcement operations and am helping coordinate UPU S58/S59 certification for our Post. Regionally, I partnered with several stakeholders, including the UPU and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, on a pharmacy traceability pilot to combat counterfeit and illicit pharmaceuticals in southeastern Africa. I also helped design and deliver a week-long postal and customs security capacity-building workshop for delegates from Mexico, fostering stronger North American collaboration and advancing shared security objectives.
