October 1, 2001—In addition to the new security procedures put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration, the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) recommends that airports and airlines consider implementing the following integrated security measures to further ensure the safety and security of passengers and commerce:
—Integrated management approach to security: Currently, the majority of airports separate security responsibilities between the airport authorities and the airline. Typically, airport authorities are responsible for terminals and tarmacs while the airlines have assumed the responsibility for processing and screening passengers. There is an inherent conflict between passenger control and the desire for customer service, convenience and on-time departures. Further, the separation of responsibilities between airport authorities and the airlines is counterproductive to effective and responsive security. It is recommended that a single controlling authority, established as a stand alone federal agency, be empowered to physically manage security operations at all airports throughout the United States and US Flag carriers security operations outside the United States for their aircraft entering the United States. This agency would establish employment requirements, training standards and operational regulations for all security personnel and conduct at-will inspections of security personnel and their operations on a random basis.
—Security vs. law enforcement functions: There are numerous situations throughout the country where security of airports and passengers is currently under the operational control of local authority law enforcement agencies. It is recommended that airports recognize the inherent differences between security risk prevention and local law enforcement response to a security incident(s). Professional security personnel should be used instead of law enforcement personnel to manage and populate airport security programs. Local law enforcement agencies should continue to be relied upon for processing and dissemination of related intelligence, augmentation of airport security during heightened periods of vulnerability and response to airport security incidents.
—Security awareness training: A Security Awareness Program is the method through which an individual is made conscious of, and accepts, his or her own role and responsibilities in the protection of the assets of an organization. An effective Security Awareness Program is one which engenders protective attitudes and behaviors, both personally and on behalf of the organization.
—Penetration testing: Regularly scheduled training and response exercises should be conducted to refine airport and airline standard operating procedures for security and utilization of security personnel.
—Restricted commerce on secure/sterile side: To ensure security and the restriction of public movement into airport sterile areas, commercial activity catering to passengers/visitors should be moved to the main terminal in front of the sterile areas and only commerce catering to passengers should be allowed in sterile areas. Limiting commerce on the restricted side will also reduce potential airport vulnerabilities associated with commercial deliveries and trash removal.
—Background checks: Annual background checks should be conducted for all staff, both permanent and temporary, working in and around secure areas. Since certain areas of the airport are deemed more susceptible to intrusion and sabotage, personnel working within the confines of those areas as well as those requiring regular entry into those areas should have undergone a background check to include a criminal check at the federal and state levels.
—Mail/cargo screening on passenger bearing aircraft: Bags and cargo other than those belonging to passengers must be thoroughly screened before allowing them on a passenger aircraft. Airway bills should accompany all cargo to identify the contents, with clear details indicating shipper and recipient.
—X-ray crew baggage: Airline crews should be subjected to the same screening process as passengers, particularly in light of the potential use of false or stolen air crew identification tags.
—Smart Cards: Airport authorities, as well as the resident airlines, should consider issuing Smart Cards or enhanced forms of frequent flier identification cards to passengers and crew to be used as a means of identification upon arrival at the airport and as a means of processing at selected processing checkpoints. It is recommended that biometric template/digital photo and encryption data be incorporated on the Smart Card. Two airport security processing channels could be created, one for people traveling with secure Smart Cards, and another group without the card, who would be subject to more intense security checks at traditional passenger screening checkpoints.
—Anti-hijacking flight deck security: The government should subsidize retrofit requirements to secure the flight deck. An example of this may include Kevlar panels attached to the bulkhead between the flight deck and the passenger areas. The locking mechanism on the cockpit door, as well as other essential doors within the airplane, should be strengthened and coupled with access control devices to enable access into secure areas.
—Airplane closed circuit television: Strategically placed, overt and hardened cameras should be considered for application within the main cabin. Cameras should be electronically linked to monitors on the flight deck and in the passenger galley area. These cameras would provide pilots and crew with visual surveillance of both the flight deck and the passenger areas at all times.
—In the recent past, every commercial, private or military aviator was required to check “Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS)” before flight. The NOTAMS communicated security alerts, suspicious individuals, people wanted by law enforcement agencies, and relevant issues of security and safety interest of all flights. It is recommended that the aviation industry return and upgrade this system for all flight crews and include requirements for airport security personnel to have continual access to NOTAM postings at each airport in the country.
For more information, contact IAPSC.
