1st Edition
Airport and Aviation Security U.S. Policy and Strategy in the Age of Global Terrorism
The response of the U.S. federal government to the events of September 11, 2001 has reflected the challenge of striking a balance between implementing security measures to deter terrorist attacks while at the same time limiting disruption to air commerce. Airport and Aviation Security: U.S. Policy and Strategy in the Age of Global Terrorism is a comprehensive reference that examines the persistent threats to aviation security that led up to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, describes subsequent terror plots against aviation assets, and explores U.S. efforts to counter and mitigate these threats.
Addressing the homeland security challenges facing the U.S. in the age of terrorism, this text explores:
- Security protocol prior to 9/11
- Precursors to 9/11
- The rising threat of Al Qaeda
- Tactical and congressional response to 9/11, including new legislation
- The broader context of risk assessment
- Intelligence gathering
- Airport security, including passenger, baggage, and employee screening
- Airline in-flight security measures
- Airport perimeter security
- The threat of shoulder-fired missiles
- Security for GA (general aviation) operations and airports
Beginning with a historical backdrop describing the dawn of the age of global terrorism in the 1960s and continuing up until the present time, the book demonstrates the broad social and political context underlying recent changes in the aviation security system as a direct result of the 9/11 attacks. Coverage examines ongoing threats and vulnerabilities to the aviation infrastructure, including an exploration of how past terrorist incidents have come to shape U.S. policy and strategy.
Pre-9/11 Threats to Aviation Security and the U.S. Policy Response
The Significance of Aviation Terrorism
The Late 1960s and Early 1970s: The Dawn of the Age of Global Terrorism
The Looming Menace of Aircraft Bombings
The 1980s: The Shifting Threat
The 1990s: The Failure to Imagine and Adequately Prepare
The 9/11 Attacks and the Ensuing Policy Debate
Precursors to 9/11
Bojinka Plot
Rising Threat of Al Qaeda
Buildup to 9/11
Preattack Phase: Terrorists in our Midst
9/11 Attacks
Tactical Response on September 11, 2001
DOT Rapid Response Teams
Congressional Response to the 9/11 Attacks
Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA, P.L. 107-71)
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296)
Vision 100: The Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176)
Policy Refinement in Response to the Evolving Terrorist Threat
The 9/11 Commission and Its Impact on Aviation Security Policy
Aviation Security-Related Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission
National Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458)
TSA Regulations to Strengthen Air Cargo and the Push for 100% Cargo Screening
Lingering Congressional Policy Concerns
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-53)
Continuing Terrorist Threat
Evolving Terror Threat
Homegrown Terrorist Threats in the United States
An Asymmetric Threat Intent on Diminishing Our Resolve
Cost of Protecting Aviation
The U.S. Strategy for Combating Terror Threats to the Aviation Domain
Pre-9/11 Approaches to Aviation Security
Post-9/11 Actions Addressing Aviation Security Policy and Strategy
The National Aviation Security Policy
Security Threats to Aviation
The Risk-Based Framework
Strategic Objectives
Strategic Actions
Strategic Roles and Responsibilities
Aviation Mode-Specific Plans
The Air Domain Surveillance and Intelligence Integration Plan
The International Outreach and International Aviation Threat Reduction Plans
The Aviation Operational Threat Response Plan
The Domestic Outreach Plan
Issues for Consideration
Evaluating and Managing Security Risks
Risk Assessment Methods
Using the Risk-Based Framework to Determine a Risk Valuation and Assess Costs and Benefits
Approaches for Developing Complex Models of Risk in the Aviation Security Domain
Mitigating Aviation Security Risk
The Multilayered Approach to Aviation Security
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mitigation Measures and Security Systems
Assessing the Impact of Security Measures on Air Transportation System Efficiency
Mitigating the Consequences of an Attack
Exploiting Intelligence and Counterterrorism Information
An Overview of Intelligence Gathering and Analysis
Intelligence Reforms in Response to the Global Terror Threat
TSA’s Role in Transportation Security Intelligence
Tracking Terrorist Travel in the Aviation Mode
Airline Passenger Prescreening and Terrorist Watch Lists
Policy Issues Related to Passenger Prescreening and Terrorist Watch List Checks
Future Directions for Exploiting Intelligence Information to Strengthen Aviation Security
Using Intelligence Information to Identify Terrorist Networks
Data Fusion in the Aviation Environment
Passenger and Baggage Screening
Policy Considerations for Aviation Security Screening
Checkpoint Screening Human Performance
Potential Impacts of Respecting Privacy on Screening Performance
Covert Testing
Threat Image Projection
X-Ray Imagery and Carry-On Baggage Screening Performance
Passenger Checkpoint Efficiency
The Evolution of Checkpoint Design
Next Generation Checkpoint Technologies
Screening Airport Workers
Screening and Vetting of Airline Crews
Checked Baggage Screening
Proposed Strategy for Baggage Screening Optimization
Options for Reducing Baggage
Firearms in Checked Baggage
Screener Workforce Issues
Screener Retention
Airline In-Flight Security Measures
Hardened Cockpit Doors
Secondary Flight Deck Barriers
Flight Deck Access Procedures
Video Surveillance of the Airliner Cabin and Improved Cabin-Cockpit Communications
Uninterruptable Aircraft Transponders
Future Systems for Aircraft Surveillance
The Federal Air Marshal Service
Armed Pilots and Crew Security Training
Consideration of Less-Than-Lethal Weapons for In-Flight Security
Security Training for Airline Crews
Armed Law Enforcement on Airliners
Handling Disruptive Passengers and Other In-Flight Security Incidents
Possible Terrorist Probing Incidents
Responding to In-Flight Security Threats
Mitigating the In-Flight Explosives Threat and Improving Aircraft Survivability
In-Flight Chemical and Biological Threats
Commercial Airport Access Controls and Perimeter Security
Security Risk in the Airport Environment
Commercial Airport Security Program Concepts
Airport Security Technology Investment
Airport Security Programs
Airport Security Terminology
Airport Security Risk Categories
Evaluating Airport Compliance with Security Requirements
Airport Physical Security and Security Technologies
Airport Perimeter Security and Access Control Measures
Surveillance Technologies
Patrolling the Airfield and the Airport Perimeter
Security Awareness Training
Law Enforcement Support
Access Control Measures
Background Check Requirements
Biometric Technologies for Credentialing and Access Controls
Planning, Design, and Construction Guidelines for Commercial Airport Security
Critical Incident Management and Response
References
Mitigating the Threat of Shoulder-Fired Missiles and Other Standoff Weapons
The Proliferation of Shoulder-Fired Weapons and the Terrorist Threat They Pose
The Vulnerability of Commercial Airliners
Assessing the Potential Consequences of a Standoff Attack
U.S. Policy and Strategic Approaches
Ground-Based Countermeasures
Air Cargo Security
Security Risks Posed by Air Cargo
Screening versus Physical Inspection of Cargo Shipments
Security in the All-Cargo Environment
Physical Screening and Inspection
Canine Explosives Detection Teams
Cargo Screening Technology
Cost of Cargo Screening and Inspection
Technologies for Effectively Securing the Supply Chain
Physical Security of Air Cargo Facilities
Inspection and Oversight of Air Cargo Facilities
Security Training for Air Cargo Personnel
Increased Control over Access to Aircraft and Cargo Facilities
Security for GA Operations and Airports
What Is GA?
The Economic Impact of GA
The Security Challenge Posed by GA
Security Vulnerabilities
The Terrorist Threat
Potential Consequences of an Attack Using GA Aircraft
Options for Mitigation of GA Security Risks
Airport Access Controls
Background Checks and Vetting
Physical Security Measures for Airports
Physical Security Measures for Aircraft
Securing Agricultural Aviation Operations
Flight School Security
Security Practices for Business and Charter Aviation
Vetting and Tracking GA Flights at the U.S. Borders
Airspace Restrictions
Airspace Restrictions around Washington, DC
Security-Related Flight Restrictions Throughout the United States
Policy Issues Regarding Airspace Restrictions
Index
Biography
Bart Elias is a specialist in aviation policy for the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) in Washington, DC.
Elias is uniquely qualified to write this text. … Lessons learned in this book will help in any security program.
— Derek Knights, CPP, PCI in Security Management"To date I have read no better executive‐level examination of asymmetric, home‐grown, and insider terrorist threats."
—General Aviation Security Magazine