Airport Security…A Perspective Contrasting Technological &

Human Factors

Mark E. Denari, SAIC

Airport Security – Post 9/11

The Environment – I

• Threats to U.S. air transportation system, commercial aviation and airports remain high

• Aircraft – still No. 1 target• Terminals and facilities – also prime target

• Aviation security continues to be proactive, responsive and evolving to counter potential and emerging threats

• Integrators and government continue to “push” technology providers to develop products to improve and enhance security

• Some technologies developing more rapidly than others

Airport Security – Post 9/11

Statutory Regulations

• General

• TSA and airports must provide for safety and security of persons and property on an aircraft operating in air transportation or interstate air transportation against an act of criminal violence, aircraft piracy, and the introduction of an unauthorized weapon, explosive or incendiary onto an aircraft

TSA = Transportation Security Administration

Airport Security – Post 9/11

Statutory Regulations (cont’d)

• TSA• Technologically and/or physically screen all passengers and

property to ensure that threat objects and/or prohibited items do not enter airport’s sterile area

• Airport – 49 CFR Part 1542• Airport operator must prevent and detect unauthorized entry,

presence, and movement of individuals and ground vehicles into and within security-controlled areas

Airport Security – Post 9/11

Improvements and Enhancements

• TSA

• Checked Baggage Inspection Systems – “in-line” EDS

• Advanced technology (AT) deployment – X-ray & whole body imaging (WBI)

• Federal Screening Force – better trained and more aware

EDS = Explosives Detection Systems

Airport Security – Post 9/11

Improvements and Enhancements (cont’d)

• Airports• Security systems – upgrades

• Video Surveillance System (VSS) – analog to digital• Access Control System (ACS) – more efficient and capable• Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) – very limited

deployment• Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS) – very limited

deployment• Credentialing and identity management – coming onboard

• Personnel – better understanding and more aware

Airport Security – Post 9/11

The Environment – II

• TSA• 100 percent EDS screening of all checked baggage• Passenger Screening Checkpoint – detect weapons, explosives &

other potential threat objects (remove capability)• Screening/Inspection personnel – TSO, BDO, K-9, TSI, other

EDS = Explosives Detection Systems

Airport Security – Post 9/11

The Environment – II (cont’d)

• Airports• Security systems/technology

• ACS – effective card or smart card access system• VSS – monitoring & forensics

• Airport Security Program (ASP)• TSA-approved to comply with AVSEC regulations, policies & procedures• Provides direction & guidelines for security operations

• Security Operations• Airport personnel, law enforcement & contract security personnel• Patrols, random inspections, access control monitoring, other• ASP participants - Airport, air carriers, non-aviation tenants, contractors &

others

Airport Security – Post 9/11

The Environment – III

• Security environmental conditions – all airports• 1 – Airfield perimeter (fence or barrier)• 2 – Perimeter vehicle access gates (to security controlled area)• 3 – Terminal employee access doors (to security controlled area)• 4 – Passenger screening checkpoints (to sterile area)• 5 – Terminal lobby areas (public area)• 6 – Terminal curbs and roadways

• Airport operator … must prevent and detect unauthorized entry of persons and/or vehicles – conditions 1, 2 and 3

• TSA … condition 4• Conditions 5 and 6 – major challenges

Airport Security – Post 9/11

Contrasting Security “Apparatus”

• Passenger and property screening (TSA responsibility) – Condition 4

• Threat prevention and detection – technology “centric” • Advanced technology (AT) deployed at passenger screening

checkpoints

• Airport security (airport – operator responsibility) – Conditions 1,2 and 3

• Threat prevention and detection – human “centric”• Security system – physical security, ID display, challenging,

awareness and training• Little, if any, effectiveness with advanced technologies – ACS and

VSSACS = Access Control System VSS = Video Surveillance System

Airport Security – Post 9/11

Challenges

• Controlling access at terminal and perimeter gate access points

• Rely heavily on human performance – accessing and securing doors and gates

• Potential for human failure

• Preventing and detecting unauthorized access to security controlled areas

• Rely heavily on human involvement and awareness• “System” challenged – most airside personnel involved in high-

tempo air carrier operations • Very limited airport resources available for security operations

Airport Security – Post 9/11

Addressing Challenges

• Leverage existing, widely deployed, security systems and technologies

• Specifically, Digital Video Surveillance System (DVMS)• Deployed at terminal employee access doors and perimeter

vehicle access gates• Develop and implement advanced video analytics (VA)

• Various algorithms detect behaviors related to security environmental conditions…”piggybacking,” loitering, object left behind, others

• High probability of detection (PD) vs. low false-alarm rate (FAR)

• Shifts Video Surveillance System (VSS) from monitoring system to detection system

• Security force multiplier

Terminals: VSS/VIDEO ANALYTICS, ACS, biometrics Terminals: VSS/VIDEO ANALYTICS, ACS, biometrics

Enhancing Detection – Video AnalyticsEnhancing Detection – Video Analytics

Airside/Perimeter: PIDS - VSS/VIDEO ANALYTICSAirside/Perimeter: PIDS - VSS/VIDEO ANALYTICS

Landside/Roadways: VSS/VIDEO ANALYTICS, data sensorsLandside/Roadways: VSS/VIDEO ANALYTICS, data sensorsPublic Areas: VSS/VIDEO ANALYTICSPublic Areas: VSS/VIDEO ANALYTICS

Human “Tailgating”

Vehicle Intrusion

Loitering InsideSuspicious Vehicle

ACS = Access Control System VSS = Video Surveillance System PIDS = Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems

Airport Security – Post 9/11

Final Points

• Video analytic companies need to “push the envelope”… we can do this!

• Government, integrators/solutions companies, technology providers – need to work collaboratively and proactively

• Have vision and mission – “the art of the possible”• Constantly assess current and emerging threats• Strive to increase reliance on technology and decrease it on

humans• Continue to champion funding support from internal and

external sources