Aviation Security: Efforts to Measure Effectiveness and Strengthen Security Programs Page: 2 of 32
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- GAO
SAccountability- Integrity- Reliability
Highlights
Highlights of GAO-04-285T, a report to the
Committee on Government Reform,
House of RepresentativesWhy GAO Did This Study
Commercial aviation has been a
long-standing target for terrorists.
Since the tragic attacts of
September 11, 2001, substantial
changes have been made to
enhance security-including the
creation of the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) and
the federalization of the passenger
screener workforce. However,
despite these changes,
vulnerabilities in aviation security
continue to exist. Accordingly,
GAO was asked to describe TSA's
efforts to (1) measure the
effectiveness of its aviation
security initiatives, (2) strengthen
its passenger screening program,
and (3) address additional
challenges in further enhancing
aviation security.
In prior reports and testimonies,
GAO has made numerous
recommendations to strengthen
aviation security. We also have
ongoing reviews assessing many of
the issues addressed in this
testimony and will issue separate
reports on these areas at a later
date.www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-04-285T.
To view the full product, including the scope
and methodology, click on the link above.
For more information, contact Cathleen A.
Berrick at (202) 512-8777 or
Berrickc@gao.gov.AVIATION SECURITY
Efforts to Measure Effectiveness and
Strengthen Security ProgramsWhat GAO Found
TSA has implemented numerous initiatives designed to enhance aviation
security, but has collected limited information on the effectiveness of these
initiatives in protecting commercial aircraft. Our recent work on passenger
screening found that little testing or other data exist that measure the
performance of screeners in detecting threat objects. However, TSA is taking
steps to collect additional data, including developing a 5-year performance
plan detailing numerous performance measures, as well as fielding the
Threat Image Projection system and increasing screener testing.
In addition to collecting performance data, TSA could further strengthen
passenger screening by fully deploying recurrent and supervisory training
programs, determining the appropriate levels of screeners at the nation's
airports, and improving oversight of the contract screener pilot program.
Although TSA has developed and deployed basic and remedial training
programs, it has not fully developed or deployed recurrent or supervisory
training programs. In addition, TSA acknowledged that its initial staffing
efforts created imbalances at the nation's airports, and that it has taken
limited action to assess the performance of the pilot airports using private,
versus federal, screeners. TSA is undertaking a number of actions to address
these concerns, including strengthening its training program and awarding
contracts to assess its staffing model and the performance of the contract
pilot airports.
TSA faces a number of other challenges as it continues to enhance aviation
security. Significant challenges include implementing the Computer-Assisted
Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II), as well as strengthening
baggage screening, airport perimeter and access controls, and air cargo and
general aviation security. In implementing CAPPS II, TSA must ensure it
addresses concerns surrounding travelers' privacy rights, the accuracy of
databases used by CAPPS II, and obtaining international cooperation needed
for the system to be fully operational. Additional challenges include
integrating explosive detection systems into airport's in-line baggage
handling systems, identifying cost-effective perimeter security technologies,
effectively targeting air cargo for screening, and improving security at
general aviation airports. Further, TSA faces challenges in funding increased
aviation security measures and ensuring that these costs are controlled.
Security Screeners Checking Passengers with a Hand-Held Metal DetectorSource: FAA.
Source: FAA.United States General Accounting Office
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United States. General Accounting Office. Aviation Security: Efforts to Measure Effectiveness and Strengthen Security Programs, text, November 20, 2003; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc290720/m1/2/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.