Airline security new

Introduction

India stepped up its airport India stepped up its airport security after the 1999 security after the 1999 Kandahar hijacking. Kandahar hijacking.

The Central Industrial The Central Industrial Security Force, a paramilitary Security Force, a paramilitary organisation is in charge of organisation is in charge of airport security under the airport security under the regulatory frame work of the regulatory frame work of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Bureau of Civil Aviation Security ( Ministry of Civil Security ( Ministry of Civil Aviation Security). Aviation Security).

CISF formed an Airport CISF formed an Airport Security Group to protect Security Group to protect Indian airports. Indian airports.

Every airport has now been Every airport has now been given an APSU (Airport given an APSU (Airport Security Unit), a trained unit Security Unit), a trained unit to counter unlawful to counter unlawful interference with civil interference with civil aviation. aviation.

Apart from the CISF every Apart from the CISF every airline has an aviation airline has an aviation security force which is a security force which is a separate department.separate department.

- The CISF controls airport security at all commercial airports in India. -Airport security, in the past, was under the control of the Airport Police (under the State Government).-However, following the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999, the topic of handing over security of the airports to the CISF was first proposed. -While this proposal lay low for the next two years, the Central Government woke up to the security threat after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States of America and decided to implement the suggestion.-The Jaipur Airport was the first airport that came under the CISF's control on 03rd feb 2000. -Following this, majority of the commercial airports in India were brought under its purview.-As of now CISF is protecting a total of 54 international and domestic airports in the country.

Issues of Airport SecurityAirport Security has various layers to prevent possible Airport Security has various layers to prevent possible breaches, but total security is not completely possible. breaches, but total security is not completely possible. We Should follow a layered approach to We Should follow a layered approach to

(a) Airport security such as bomb sniffing dogs, biological (a) Airport security such as bomb sniffing dogs, biological / chemical detectors, closed circuit TVs/ chemical detectors, closed circuit TVs

(b) Security checkpoints such as screening passengers by (b) Security checkpoints such as screening passengers by observation techniques, boarding pass check, observation techniques, boarding pass check, identification check, metal detectors, trace portals, carry-identification check, metal detectors, trace portals, carry-on baggage screening, checked baggage screening, and on baggage screening, checked baggage screening, and secondary screening of individuals. Still then, absolute secondary screening of individuals. Still then, absolute security is a myth. There are always weak areas that can security is a myth. There are always weak areas that can be exploited by experienced professionals. However, if the be exploited by experienced professionals. However, if the layers of a security system are working together, threats layers of a security system are working together, threats can be significantly minimized.can be significantly minimized.

Since each airport is unique in physical and operational Since each airport is unique in physical and operational characteristics, we need to check how a commercial characteristics, we need to check how a commercial service airport will meet its daily regulatory requirements service airport will meet its daily regulatory requirements for the three essential areas: landside, terminal and for the three essential areas: landside, terminal and airside. airside.

The landside area has commercial and private vehicle The landside area has commercial and private vehicle areaarea

The terminal area has public, non-public, and sterile The terminal area has public, non-public, and sterile areasareas

The airside area has secured areas, air operations areas, The airside area has secured areas, air operations areas, and security identification display areas.and security identification display areas.

The implementation of security processes in these areas The implementation of security processes in these areas depend heavily on technology and (some) training. depend heavily on technology and (some) training.

TechnologyTechnology is a necessary tool in the field of airport security.Technology is a necessary tool in the field of airport security.

The advances of airport security technology enhance the overall security process, not only as The advances of airport security technology enhance the overall security process, not only as a deterrent, but also to provide a greater range of observation and detection. a deterrent, but also to provide a greater range of observation and detection.

Examples of technological advances today in the aviation industry related to passenger Examples of technological advances today in the aviation industry related to passenger boarding (within the airport terminal building) include explosive detection, full body boarding (within the airport terminal building) include explosive detection, full body scanners, x-ray equipment, observation cameras, metal detectors, and other advanced scanners, x-ray equipment, observation cameras, metal detectors, and other advanced equipment. equipment.

On the outside of the terminal, several other types of technologies are used, which include, On the outside of the terminal, several other types of technologies are used, which include,

Airport surface detection equipment(ASDE)Airport surface detection equipment(ASDE)

Airport movement area safety system(AMASS) Airport movement area safety system(AMASS)

Precision runway monitoring(PRM)Precision runway monitoring(PRM)

Ground safety tracking and reporting system(GSTRS) Ground safety tracking and reporting system(GSTRS)

Runway status lights(RWSL)Runway status lights(RWSL)

However, technology is only one layer of security and cannot be a sole point of protection.However, technology is only one layer of security and cannot be a sole point of protection.

Only a proper multi-tiered security operation can achieve the ultimate goal of safety of Only a proper multi-tiered security operation can achieve the ultimate goal of safety of passengers, airport personnel and the airport itself.passengers, airport personnel and the airport itself.

The equipment also needs to be operated by properly trained, qualified personnel.The equipment also needs to be operated by properly trained, qualified personnel.

Furthermore, the equipment being utilized should be tested, maintained, and calibrated Furthermore, the equipment being utilized should be tested, maintained, and calibrated regularly to avoid any incidents Although technology is a great tool, there is no substitute for regularly to avoid any incidents Although technology is a great tool, there is no substitute for highly trained and qualified security professionals.highly trained and qualified security professionals.

Training

- Professional security, especially in - Professional security, especially in the aviation industry, requires the aviation industry, requires special skills, knowledge and special skills, knowledge and abilities.abilities.

- Security personnel must have the - Security personnel must have the ability to identify potential ability to identify potential elements of improvised explosive elements of improvised explosive devices. devices.

- Other critical abilities of an - Other critical abilities of an airport security professional airport security professional include the detection of include the detection of questionable behavior, questionable behavior, interpersonal communication to be interpersonal communication to be proactive in quicklyproactive in quickly

- Developing a rapport with people - Developing a rapport with people in order to determine whether or in order to determine whether or not an individual may be involved in not an individual may be involved in terrorist activity, and how to assess terrorist activity, and how to assess multiple threat possibilities.multiple threat possibilities.

- The hiring of unqualified - The hiring of unqualified personnel is the first step in the personnel is the first step in the defeat of a multi-tiered security defeat of a multi-tiered security operation.operation.

- The only way to obtain this - The only way to obtain this knowledge is through extensive and knowledge is through extensive and continued training and education continued training and education from qualified and experienced from qualified and experienced instructors, not through instructors, not through bureaucratic management.bureaucratic management.

Improving Airport Security

Provide basic security training to all Provide basic security training to all airport personnel including ticket agents and airport personnel including ticket agents and baggage handlers.baggage handlers.

A longer, more comprehensive training A longer, more comprehensive training program that includes live training scenarios, program that includes live training scenarios, counter-terrorist tactics, etc. counter-terrorist tactics, etc.

Furthermore, training should be on a Furthermore, training should be on a continuing basis at least monthly. continuing basis at least monthly.

It is also absolutely essential that aviation It is also absolutely essential that aviation security professionals are proficient with any security professionals are proficient with any equipment used on a daily basis, or other equipment used on a daily basis, or other equipment used in the event of an emergency equipment used in the event of an emergency situation.situation.

For example, any unusual situation requiring For example, any unusual situation requiring immediate action, security professionals immediate action, security professionals must be able to handle the situation.must be able to handle the situation.

Shutting down airport operations scares Shutting down airport operations scares passengers while waiting for law enforcement passengers while waiting for law enforcement to arrive seems to be the current tactic used to arrive seems to be the current tactic used in airport security, which is very in airport security, which is very unprofessional.unprofessional.

Raise standards of physical fitness that Raise standards of physical fitness that involve an agility test equivalent to any other involve an agility test equivalent to any other government agent or law enforcement government agent or law enforcement position including defensive tactics and position including defensive tactics and firearm trainingfirearm training

Conclusion

Given the threat of terrorism we are facing today, Given the threat of terrorism we are facing today, it is absolutely necessary to improve security in it is absolutely necessary to improve security in the aviation industry including airports.the aviation industry including airports.

Worldwide travel is convenient and relatively Worldwide travel is convenient and relatively inexpensive, a key element in the proliferation of inexpensive, a key element in the proliferation of terrorist networks throughout the world. terrorist networks throughout the world.

Despite advances in technology in airport Despite advances in technology in airport security, there is no substitute for highly trained security, there is no substitute for highly trained and qualified personnel. and qualified personnel.

In the aviation security industry, technology is In the aviation security industry, technology is only one layer of security and human factors of only one layer of security and human factors of security cannot be overlooked or minimized. security cannot be overlooked or minimized.

Over reliance on technology is a trap that leaves Over reliance on technology is a trap that leaves passengers, aircrews, and airport personnel passengers, aircrews, and airport personnel vulnerable to a terrorist attack. vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

Over reliance on technology is a trap that leaves Over reliance on technology is a trap that leaves passengers, aircrews, and airport personnel passengers, aircrews, and airport personnel vulnerable to a terrorist attack. vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

Contrary to popular belief, giving aviation Contrary to popular belief, giving aviation security officers’ badges and expensive equipment security officers’ badges and expensive equipment does not make them professionals. does not make them professionals.

Until adequate modifications to the aviation Until adequate modifications to the aviation security system are implemented, we are all living security system are implemented, we are all living with a false sense of security.with a false sense of security.

Any Questions