Do customs brokers have to report data breaches to CBP?▼
Yes. The customs broker regulations in 19 CFR Part 111 include a requirement to notify CBP’s Security Operations Center of any known breach of records tied to your customs business, in addition to whatever state breach laws and client contracts require. The exact timing and content of that notice is something your licensed broker and attorney should confirm. Our job is to detect and contain the incident, preserve evidence and give counsel the technical facts quickly enough that the notification deadline isn’t a problem.
How long do we have to keep entry records?▼
The retention periods come from CBP’s record-keeping rules, mainly 19 CFR Part 163 alongside Part 111, and they vary by record type. Your licensed broker or compliance lead should set the schedule. Once it’s set, we configure storage to match: retention policies that prevent early deletion, backups that cover the full period, and search tools so old records can be produced. We don’t make the legal call on periods; we make sure the systems honor it.
Is it a problem if our team shares one ACE portal login?▼
It undermines two things you need. First, you can’t show who did what, which weakens your evidence of responsible supervision and control over employees. Second, a shared password tends to spread and rarely changes, so a former employee or a phished mailbox can keep access. We help you move every user to their own account with appropriate roles, protect the devices used for portal access and remove accounts the day someone leaves.
Our entry software vendor hosts everything. What’s left for IT?▼
Quite a bit. Hosted platforms still need user accounts managed, MFA enforced, workstations patched and scanners working. Document storage, email, ACE portal access and archived records outside the vendor’s system all need protection and backups. Phishing remains the most common way in, regardless of where the software runs. We handle those layers and act as your technical liaison with the vendor so filers can get back to work quickly when something stops.
How do you protect Social Security numbers in importer records?▼
Individual importers sometimes use a Social Security number as their importer identifier, so we treat importer records as highly sensitive. We encrypt devices and storage, limit who can view or export client lists, and set data loss prevention rules that catch identity numbers being emailed outside the firm. Access to these records is logged. We also clean up old scanned documents sitting in mailboxes, which is where this data often hides.
Can you support a brokerage with offices at several ports?▼
Yes. Our work is mostly remote, so a brokerage with filers at seaports, airports and land border crossings across the country gets the same baseline and the same help desk. Each office’s network, workstations and scanners are monitored and patched centrally. When an office needs physical work, our engineers handle it locally near our offices or direct a vetted local technician while staying connected to the change from start to finish, then document what was done.
Do you provide Customs Brokers IT Services in Houston and nearby areas?▼
Yes. LayerLogix is based in the Greater Houston area and delivers customs brokers IT services to businesses across Houston and the surrounding communities, including The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, Sugar Land, Conroe, Cypress, and Pearland. For most Houston-area clients we can be on-site the same day when something needs hands-on attention, and our help desk is available during business hours, with after-hours emergency support. Call 713-571-2390 to check coverage for your specific address.
What does Customs Brokers IT Services cost for a Houston business?▼
Pricing depends on your size and what you need, so we do not publish a one-size-fits-all number — but Houston businesses generally pay a flat, predictable monthly fee rather than surprise hourly bills. We start with a free, no-obligation assessment of your current setup, then give you a clear quote in plain English with no hidden costs. That way you know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before you commit.