Total Airport Security System: Design and Implementation

Introduction to Airport Security Challenges

The secure operation of the aviation system across the globe is one of the most significant factors in the security and economic development of the United States. The world's airspace must also be secured because aviation has become a major target for criminals, terrorists, and hostile nations who increasingly consider it a prime opportunity for exploitation and attack. A stark example of the security threats facing this industry is the 9/11 terror attacks, which highlighted the desire and ability of enemies to inflict considerable harm on the United States. Aviation security is therefore increasingly important in order to protect the country and its citizens from such attacks. According to the Federation of American Scientists (2007), aviation security is realized through a combination of private and public security activities coordinated across the globe to detect, prevent, deter, and defeat threats. Aviation security also requires the development of an airport security system that enhances capabilities to deal with threats at airports.

Airport security in the United States remains largely broken despite government efforts to enhance it in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The American government responded to those attacks by developing a comprehensive aviation security plan focused on enhancing capabilities and measures to deal with threats across the industry. This response included major improvements to existing security methodologies, technologies, and operations through developing security systems in every component of the Aviation Transportation System. The government also created a scalable and dynamic security system with the capability to respond to various levels of threat. These flexible systems incorporated capabilities to respond to a series of present and future threats and to effectively lessen vulnerabilities within the Aviation Transportation System ("Aviation Transportation System Security Plan," 2007). Major components of these flexible systems include increased scrutiny of individuals in the aviation system and improvements in detecting threat objects and explosives.

Despite these efforts, airport security still remains relatively broken. No single security measure is completely fail-safe, and terrorists continue to develop techniques for defeating established security initiatives. In addition, airport security systems are still largely disconnected and bureaucratic, distanced from the very individuals they seek to protect. Hawley (2012) states that preventing security threats at airports requires flexibility and ongoing reevaluation of security threats — a process that also necessitates unwavering public support, which current aviation security systems have failed to generate.

Airports across the United States have experienced significant challenges because of a relatively misguided approach to risk. While these airports have made several efforts to improve security, they have often ended up complicating air travel for passengers and visitors. The best possible measure for addressing current security challenges is therefore to develop and implement a state-of-the-art Airport Security System. This system is oriented towards a primary commercial service airport in the United States — specifically, Greater Rochester International Airport, which is vulnerable to security attacks, particularly cyberattacks. Security components with major flaws at this airport include explosive detectors, X-ray scanners, and time-clock systems. The implementation of a state-of-the-art security system will help enhance security by improving the capabilities to detect, deter, prevent, and defeat security threats.

Airport Layout and Total Airport Security System (TASS)

The state-of-the-art security system to be implemented at this primary commercial airport is the Total Airport Security System (TASS). An airport is a complex and multi-faceted environment characterized by aircraft, cargo, passengers, airport infrastructure, and crew. The complex nature of the airport environment generates a large number of security challenges. TASS is designed to improve surveillance by offering real-time, precise situational awareness to security authorities at the airport.

The concept of Total Airport Security System is based on combining and fusing data from various kinds of real-time sensors and sub-systems operating in various modes (Rusu, n.d.). These sub-systems include fixed and mobile modes appropriate for operation across all environmental conditions at the airport. The array of sensors in this state-of-the-art system is designed based on both existing and new technologies. The integration and fusion of these technologies and sensors creates a centralized system representing an innovative approach to airport security — one that does not interfere with passenger or aircraft flow.

The adoption of TASS reflects an increasing tendency among airports to adopt complex security systems. Currently, more than 700 million passengers travel annually, meaning over 700 million pieces of luggage are screened each year for dangerous items including explosives. TASS facilitates the establishment of an advanced, integrated mechanism for enhanced security by creating a complete airport situational intelligence solution capable of providing real-time, accurate situational awareness for all airport authorities and executives (Das, 2013). As a model of integrated security, TASS comprises a range of systems and sensors designed to interoperate and share intelligence in a timely and coordinated manner.

The effectiveness of TASS in enhancing airport security is attributable to its capability to deal with a wide range of security challenges — including those related to airplanes, terminals, the control tower, vehicles, hangars, passengers, crew, gasoline, and cargo. TASS is the next generation of security intelligence system, adopted by airports such as London's Heathrow Airport. It can be described as a fusion-based airport security intelligence system that provides a whole-airport security and information-sharing solution.

As a fusion-based system, TASS enables location-based video surveillance, which is crucial in enhancing airport security. The surveillance system automatically directs CCTV cameras to a particular location depending on the target location as obtained by an external AVL/APL system. Location-based video surveillance also involves automatic video tracking of a moving target, since the cameras utilized support both soft and hard handover.

Other attributes of TASS include reduced false security warnings, three-dimensional (3D) indoor and outdoor visualization, integration of existing airport security technologies, and no interference with passenger flow. The lack of interference with passenger flow helps avoid delays in check-in and boarding procedures (Hazzani, 2011). Through these guiding attributes, TASS provides numerous benefits for end-users such as security agencies and airport and transportation authorities. For airport and transportation authorities, TASS promotes daily security emphasis — a "security flavor" — and a high level of regulatory compliance. For security agencies, the system promotes an "intelligence flavor," dealing with security components including borders and customs. The intelligence flavor helps prevent security threats before a target arrives at the airport terminal, whereas the security flavor helps prevent threats after the target has arrived.

The Security Force: Selection, Organization, and Training

One of the most important elements for the successful implementation of TASS is the security force. While the system has significant capabilities for enhancing airport security, those capabilities may be undermined if suitable personnel are not in place. Human factors play a crucial role in the adoption, implementation, and use of airport security systems. The security force responsible for implementing the system must therefore be adequately trained and prepared to realize the full potential of TASS in detecting, deterring, preventing, and defeating security threats.

The identification of a suitable security force will be based on selecting individuals with the capability to carry out various tasks appropriately. The selection process will involve examining the level of necessary knowledge and skills, the capability to address a range of security tasks, and compliance with organizational procedures. These elements will serve as crucial employment considerations to help identify a suitable security force.

Since TASS is a relatively new system, its implementation will require selecting employees with the capability to utilize diverse technologies and manage the complexities associated with a fusion-based airport security system. The ability to utilize diverse, complex technologies will therefore be included as a selection criterion for potential candidates.

In essence, the selection process will involve examining the common qualities and characteristics of airport security personnel while incorporating new dimensions tailored to the demands of TASS. Common characteristics of airport security personnel will help determine a suitable pool of candidates, while the new dimensions will be customized based on what the system requires. Through this approach, selected individuals will have the capabilities needed to implement TASS effectively.

The organization of the security force determines the responsibility structure for each individual in the security department. Since airport security forces generally have limited capabilities to operate as a legal police force, the airport will employ a third-party security company to work alongside internal personnel in conducting screening and access control (Yoo, 2009, p. 38). This partnership will not only handle screening and access control but will also address other security issues at the airport, helping to ensure the effective implementation of TASS.

The security force will be organized in different levels corresponding to different levels of security operations. The first level consists of airport security administrative officers who supervise and manage all security operations. These officers — including the designated leader of the third-party security company and the internal leader of the airport's security operations — work collaboratively to ensure smooth operations across all security issues and to handle implementation activities for TASS.

The second level involves security officers who deal with major security tasks and functions, including passenger screening, baggage security control, cargo security, access control, and crisis management. For passenger screening, officers will use both existing and new technologies brought by TASS alongside X-ray machines and metal detectors. For access control, officers will supervise access to restricted aircraft, buildings, and areas. Baggage security control entails examining luggage being loaded at cargo departments. Crisis management involves carrying out tasks designed to handle and respond to emergency situations brought by security incidents. Cargo security involves ensuring control of unaccompanied mail, cargo, and other goods in passenger and cargo aircraft.

The third level focuses on evaluating the overall effectiveness of the system relative to desired security objectives and goals. Security officers at this level provide recommendations for further improvement based on their evaluations. Evaluation tasks include accountability, effectiveness of security, cost efficiency, efficiency in processing, and response to security incidents. Accountability entails ensuring security tasks are carried out relative to the ultimate obligation of improving security, while effectiveness of security relates to job performance — specifically, how effectively officers search for and detect dangerous items, explosives, and weapons (Yoo, 2009, p. 43). Efficiency in processing involves examining decision-making processes, screening speed, and flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. Response to security incidents revolves around the capability to react effectively to unprecedented situations when implementing the new system. Cost efficiency examines the costs of achieving a similar level of security performance compared to the current system.

After selecting suitable individuals, the personnel must be adequately trained to handle all security issues and implement the system. Security teams should not only be selected but also cross-trained to perform suitable tasks, with ongoing evaluation and feedback regarding performance (Harris, 2001).

The first measure is creating an appropriate security training program covering all aspects of the airport's layout and all components of TASS. The program will also address the responsibility structure of security personnel based on the airport's layout and the implementation of the new system.

The second aspect is ensuring that all recruits and individuals in the security department are trained before performing their functions. All security officers and new recruits will receive comprehensive training based on the developed program prior to performing any aviation security duties. This ensures every security officer understands the security needs at the airport, the system being used, and the expectations associated with their specific roles and responsibilities.

Third, training will be tailored to the specific roles, responsibilities, and expectations of individual security officers. One of the major principles of airport security training is ensuring that officers receive only the training that is pertinent to their respective job duties. This approach enhances the overall effectiveness of each individual relative to the broader objectives of the security department.

Conclusion

The security of an airport is an important aspect of ensuring the overall security of a country. Airport security is a complex, multi-faceted process involving various personnel, systems, and components. In light of the evolving nature of security threats and risks in the modern world, the establishment of a state-of-the-art airport security system is crucial to enhancing airport security. For a primary commercial airport in the United States such as Greater Rochester International Airport, the most appropriate state-of-the-art solution is the Total Airport Security System. TASS enhances security because it is a fusion-based intelligence and surveillance system that coordinates security components and operations across the airport, providing real-time situational awareness and enabling a comprehensive, integrated response to the full range of security threats facing modern aviation.