A graduate of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade has been highly commended by the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) for a research paper they produced on technology and trade.
Sylwia Nowak’s paper, ‘Enhancing Cerberus and UK Single Trade Window: Advancing Border Security Through Multi-Technology Synergy’, was submitted to last year’s DBT Analyst prize and selected as one of four finalists.
Nowak, who wrote the paper as part of her masters’ degree at the University of Warwick, describes the paper as exploring “the transformative role of AI, machine learning and multi-technology integration in GB border operations”. She adds that it presents “innovative strategies to enhance national security, improve efficiency, and facilitate trade at the same time”.
Report
Against the backdrop of changes introduced under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), the government’s three-phase rollout of measures to improve the security of UK borders, Nowak’s report outlines how technology can be used to improve other systems the government is also introducing.
These improvements include “safeguards and enhancements” that can be used to “intercept high-risk shipments, that could pose a threat to the UK's national security”, in addition to interventions that could “facilitate a smoother flow of goods across UK borders”.
Reflecting on the report, Nowak says:
“By addressing challenges such as risk assessment accuracy, seasonal fluctuations and system interoperability, it highlights how technology drives the evolution towards smarter borders and trade.
“Moreover, this work sets a foundation for further research into enhancing border risk assessments and advancing trade technologies.”
Chartered Institute response
Kevin Shakespeare, the Chartered Institute’s director of advisory services, congratulated Nowak, saying he and the organisation are “extremely proud” of her work:
“On behalf of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, we are pleased to publish this report from Sylwia.
“It has been our pleasure to have known Sylwia from when she was a student and seen her develop professionally in her international trade, customs and digital trade expertise, and [being] academically successfully completing a Master’s degree with Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick.
“While the Single Trade Window programme has been paused, the points raised in the publication remain valid in terms of how UK trade systems can be integrated to advance risk trade transactions for purposes of safety and security, and biosecurity, while reducing the costs of trade and time to trade.”
Nowak completed the Chartered Institute’s Diploma in World Customs Compliance & Regulations in 2021.