TSA s Initiatives to Enhance Hassle-Free Security

TSA s Initiatives to Enhance Hassle-Free Security

Inception of TSA TSA was created in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to strengthen the security of the nation's transportation systems. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act established our agency and gave it three major mandates: Responsibility for security for all modes of transportation Recruit, assess, hire, train, and deploy Security Officers for 450 commercial airports from Guam to Alaska to Puerto Rico in 12 months Provide 100 percent screening of all checked luggage for explosives by December 31, 2002. The Transportation Security Administration s mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. Slide 2

Layered Security Approach TSA uses layers of security as part of a risk based approach to protecting passengers and our nation s transportation systems. Each layer alone is capable of stopping a terrorist attack, but in combination, defenses compound to create a much stronger system. Although checkpoint operations are the most visible layer, they represent just one part of TSA s security system. Slide 3

Risk Based Passenger Security Overview TSA is undertaking efforts to focus its resources and improve the passenger experience at airport security checkpoints by applying new intelligence driven, risk based screening procedures and enhancing its use of technology. Guiding Principles of Risk Based Security 1. The majority of airline passengers are low risk. 2. The more information available on each passenger, the easier it is to assess risk. 3. Behavior detection and interviewing techniques should be strengthened in the screening process. 4. TSA must accelerate its efforts to optimize screening processes and use of technology to gain system wide efficiencies. 5. Increase security by focusing on unknowns; expedite known/trusted travelers. Slide 4

Risk Based Security Initiatives As these initiatives prove successful, these changes could allow officers to better focus their efforts on passengers who are more likely to pose a risk to transportation. TSA evaluates data from all initiatives towards the ultimate goal of delivering the most effective security in the most efficient manner. Initiative Description Status as of May 2013 Honor Flight Network Under 12 Policy decision to exempt Veterans on chartered Honor Flights from physical screening. Modified procedures enabling passengers 12 years of age and younger to keep shoes on. Procedures provide officers additional options to resolve alarms for children. Nationwide implementation completed in Summer 2011 Nationwide implementation completed in Fall 2011 Known Crew Member Enables officers to positively verify the identity and employment status of airline pilots and flight attendants to expedite physical screening at designated access points. 29 airports, 73 access points 40 participating airlines (est.) Flight attendants on participating airlines able to access since early October Over 25,000 flight crew screened per day Over 75 Modified procedures enabling passengers 75 and older to keep shoes and light outer garments on during the screening process. Procedures provide officers additional options to resolve alarms in an effort to reduce, though not eliminate, pat downs for passengers 75 and over. Nationwide implementation completed in May 2012 Slide 5

Risk Based Security Initiatives, Continued Initiative Description Status as of May 2013 TSA Pre Department of Defense Passengers become eligible for expedited screening to access TSA Pre expedited screening lanes through membership in U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler programs (i.e, Global Entry) or through partner airlines by meeting eligibility and opt in criteria. If TSA determines a passenger is qualified, information is embedded in the passenger s boarding pass. On December 18, 2012, TSA Pre achieved the 2012 year end goal to be at 35 of the nation s busiest airports, with additional activity planned for 2013. Service members in the U.S. Armed Forces with active CAC cards are eligible to receive expedited screening through the TSA Pre lane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Dulles International Airport, Honolulu International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International, Seattle Tacoma International Airport, St. Louis International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Baltimore Washington International. Over 8.5 million TSA Pre passengers screened to date 5 airline partners, additional to follow 40 airports Delta active at 32 airports American active at 29 airports Alaska active at 17 airports US Airways active at 27 airports United active at 29 airports 9 pilot airports 11 checkpoints Managed Inclusion TSA identifies passengers for TSA Pre expedited screening through use of Passenger Screening Canines and Behavior Detection Officers. The proof of concept is currently active at Indianapolis International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Honolulu International Airport, and Miami International Airport. 4 proof of concept airports, more to follow Slide 6

Expedited Passenger Screening Concept By placing more focus on pre screening, TSA is able to expedite physical screening for known passengers while increasing system wide effectiveness. Expanded Prescreening Real Time Threat Assessment Risk Based Physical Screening Passenger Reservation Airline System Secure Flight K 9 BDO TDC Security Checkpoint Passengers provide data to TSA Secure Flight through airline systems Secure Flight conducts watch list matching and analyzes passenger risk Airline places risk designation in boarding pass Behavior detection Identity document verification TSO directs passenger to screening lane Differentiated screening procedures and technology application Random and Unpredictable Screening Procedures Slide 7

TSA Pre Locations View the latest map on www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/rbs.shtm Slide 8

Risk Based Air Cargo Security Initiatives Effective December 3, 2012, TSA and industry met the requirements of the Implementing Recommendations of 9/11 Act, requiring cargo uplifted on passenger aircraft inbound to the U.S. to be screened at 100% through a riskbased approach. Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Pilot National Cargo Security Program (NCSP) Recognition National Explosives Detection Canine Security Program (K9SP) Recognition 9

Risk Based Air Cargo Security Initiatives: ACAS Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Pilot Initial discussions between TSA and Customs and Border Protection held following passage of 9/11 Act; gained attention and momentum following Yemen attempts Involves waybill data submission prior to departure for flights to the United States Enables identification of potentially high risk cargo before it is placed on the aircraft More rigorous screening/searching techniques applied Other items still screened, but more expeditiously Still in the data collection and analysis stage; regulatory actions to follow once all types of air cargo operations are incorporated 10

Risk Based Air Cargo Security Initiatives: NCSP Recognition National Cargo Security Program (NCSP) Recognition: Enables establishment of true supply chain security Involves system to system comparison of Cargo Security measures Facility security Personnel security Training Screening Chain of custody Compliance/oversight When recognition is achieved, rescreening becomes unnecessary Duplicative approaches are eradicated and movement becomes streamlined 11

Risk Based Air Cargo Security Initiatives: K9SP National Explosives Detection Canine Security Program (K9SP) Recognition K9s considered the optimal explosive detection technology Newest initiative underway in TSA International Cargo Involves cross walk of detection capabilities Materials Quantities Proximity Discussions underway regarding free running versus vapor capture methods 12

What Does All This Mean? The Bottom Lines: 1. Risk mitigation, not elimination, is the goal 2. Most passengers and cargo do not pose a risk 3. By identifying those passengers and goods that are not likely to be instruments of terrorism, we can ensure their movement is quick, efficient, and as hassle-free as possible 13