The month of October has a lot of different celebrations going on, but did you know it is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Cybersecurity Awareness Month? Both topics are important for us at Port Houston as we continue moving business forward in the 21st Century.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Each year, Americans observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October. NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and emphasizes the need for supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. Whether physical or mental, visible or invisible, disabilities create challenges for employees that must be considered in workplace DEI efforts. Read more about it in the 2022 Presidential Declaration.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is important at Port Houston because it recognizes the unique challenges, strengths and contributions of workers with disabilities. We recognize that inclusivity for employees with disabilities must go beyond compliance to truly honor and celebrate those who live with disabilities, focusing on education and awareness to foster belonging at work.

Diversity of Disability

The Americans with Disability Act, which protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and establishes requirements for accommodation, may be applied to a broad spectrum of disability types. Disability can be defined as “a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions.” This can include any condition impacting a person’s ability to see, hear, move, communicate, remember, learn, focus and engage in social relationships.

While some disabilities, particularly those involving mobility, are more visible and recognizable, many are not. Some disabilities are apparent at birth or in early childhood, while others develop much later in life. Additionally, people with disabilities can vary greatly in their openness about their disability, with some naming it as a feature of their identity while others choose not to disclose their condition to others beyond close family.

Disability is multifaceted, and the impacts it can have on people in the workplace – even those who are not, themselves, disabled – can vary widely. Since you can never be sure if someone you work with has a disability, a family member with a disability or friends in the disabled community, respect and sensitivity are key.

How Disability Impacts all of Us: Fast Facts

1. 1 in 4 adults living in the U.S. have some type of disability. The percentage of people living with disabilities is highest in the South.
2. People with disabilities are statistically more likely to experience poor health outcomes, with higher rates of obesity, diabetes, depression and heart disease.
3. While the population of people with disabilities in Texas is consistent with the U.S. overall (26%), the population of people with disabilities in the largest metro areas, Houston, Dallas and Austin, are below 10%.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Last year Port Houston came under a cyber attack, but thanks to our IT cybersecurity team we didn't feel any impacts from that threat. Port Houston recognizes that cybersecurity is becoming as important as everyday terminal security at our port facilities. Port Houston is pleased to announce our participation in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) annual campaign, where together, we can greatly increase our cybersecurity online, at work, and at home by taking a few basic steps.

Throughout the month of October, we must stay vigilant and secure. Below are some tips to follow when thinking about your online security:

1. Use Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique, and randomly generated.
2. Think Before You Click</strong >: recognize and report phishing.
3. Update Your Software</strong >: If you see a software update notification, act promptly.
4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)</strong >: enabling MFA makes you less likely to get hacked.

To learn more about how you can stay secure online, visit Cybersecurity Awareness Month – National Cybersecurity Alliance (staysafeonline.org).

Below are some other monthly observations we're honoring.

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Down Syndrome Awareness Month
• Emotional Wellness Month
• Financial Planning Month
• Global Diversity Awareness Month
• National Depress Education & Awareness Month
• National Fire Prevention Month
• National Women's Small Business Month
• Photographer Appreciation Month

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Members of Port Houston’s GIS team at ESRI award ceremony.

Port Houston’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data Model Project and its Enterprise GIS deployment were recently nominated for a Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award. From more than 100,000 organizations from around the world, Port Houston was among 175 recipients to receive the SAG Award for its outstanding work using GIS technology at the annual ESRI User Conference July 8-12.

The recipients of the award are organizations that have set new precedents throughout the GIS community. Port Houston was nominated by ESRI, a global market leader in GIS technology that builds some of the world’s most reliable mapping and spatial analytics software. Port Houston uses GIS technology to further develop advanced analysis for maritime activities.

The port’s GIS team analyzed numerous industry-focused data models to find the best functional fit structure for Port Houston’s GIS program over a six-month-long process. The GIS system, which is an internal program, enables port staff to make data-driven decisions to support various projects. Port Houston’s GIS program is expected to be developed for some external use in coming years.

“Over the last two years, the Enterprise GIS program at Port Houston has been revamped from the ground up to deliver powerful insights,” said Senior Director of Strategic Programs Charlie Jenkins. “The GIS team is no longer just focused on making maps, instead performing advance spatial data analysis and developing robust solutions to help solve organizational challenges. Being recognized with the ESRI SAG Award is a tremendous achievement for the GIS program and Port Houston. We have set high expectations for the future of the port’s GIS program and plan to achieve continued success in the future.”

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Caption: Port Houston container terminal truck gates.

Port Houston recently executed a successful technology upgrade to NAVIS N4, a terminal operating system that optimizes planning and management of container and equipment moves at the port’s container terminals. The system is used for daily operations that include road, vessel, yard planning, billing and reporting.

Port Houston upgraded from version N4 2.6.34 to version N4 3.6.9, which required new infrastructure. The upgrade was performed by Port Houston’s technology, operations and IT personnel over a weekend after months of preparation and testing. With this advancement, Port Houston aims to improve and maintain a competitive edge consistently with business and technology innovations.

“The project’s success was a collaboration of efforts put forth by multiple departments,” said Port Houston Terminal Operating Systems Manager Mayra Ruiz. “The NAVIS upgrade will allow us to capitalize on new technologies and industry development.”

The upgrade embodies Port Houston’s goal of becoming America’s distribution hub for the next generation by providing increased support and scalability for customers. Further, the program adds improved security and operational performance with new features and functions.

Port Houston will continue to take the necessary steps to equip the business for the future and provide value-added services to our clients as upgrades are continued throughout the organization.

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The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority approved the purchase of Motorola equipment at its March public meeting, including radios, batteries, chargers and related hardware under the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s cooperative purchase program.

Port Houston’s operations, emergency management and security personnel use radio technology equipment to maintain operations and security at all terminals and respond to incidents and other emergencies. This equipment is used as employees carry out assigned tasks.

The HGAC cooperative program was established in 1973 to enable government entities to obtain purchasing pursuant to the Texas Interlocal Cooperate Act.

Port Houston strives to safely protect and secure people and commerce.

In an average week, the Port Emergency Dispatch Center handles 876 calls for service, records 78 vessel movements and processes 57 gate requests.

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Port Houston participated in a technology panel at the XChain²: Blockchain for Supply Chain and Logistics Forum May 21-22, discussing how terminal operators and ports are an essential part of the global supply chain strategy.

The XChain²: Blockchain for Supply Chain and Logistics Forum is a two-day event to promote education, collaboration, innovation and research regarding the revolutionary technology among technologists, stakeholders, solution providers, start-ups and business leaders.

The panel included Port Houston Chief Information Officer Charles Thompson and Director of Terminal Technology and Innovation Michael Shaffner, and Senior Director of Trade Development John Moseley provided introductions during the session.

The port is involved with the Maersk-IBM blockchain pilot program, a venture exploring the global trade digitization platform.

The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport Hotel and was organized by the University of Houston and Blockchain Technology Initiatives.

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