Aviation and airport security

Another View on TSA’s Risk Assessment Methodology

April 25, 2009

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recently published a year long study on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) use of risk assessment methodologies to drive resource allocations. The bottom line, according to GAO, is that TSA’s risk assessment capabilities are found wanting. But instead of being defensive about the findings, all of us should feel pretty good about how TSA has proceeded to determine risk priorities thus far.

FLUX UNVEILED

Security Debrief |

April 24, 2009

I was fortunate enough to attend the joint announcement yesterday ay JFK International Airport with CBP and the Dutch government of the FLUX Alliance, the new joint international trusted traveler program. The brand name links CBP’s Global Entry program and the Dutch Privium program into a unified application process with reciprocal privileges for U.S. and Dutch citizens. It’s a great development.

TSA to lift restrictions on liquids and gels aboard aircraft

Media Watch |

April 16, 2009

What lies ahead for airport security this year – This Just In – Budget Travel The TSA’s goal is to lift the restrictions on carrying liquids, aerosols, and gels aboard aircraft. Toward that end, the TSA has been rolling out new luggage screening machines that can tell the difference between a harmless drink and a […]

TSA a model of Government 2.0

Media Watch |

April 16, 2009

How did the Transportation Security Administration get so good at blogging? – By Christopher Beam – Slate Magazine The Transportation Security Administration’s blog, Evolution of Security, is everything the TSA is not—lighthearted, informative, responsive, and devoted to the needs and concerns of its customers. It may also be the best model for government to engage […]

Air Cargo World Exclusive Webcast: Analysis of the New Government Mandate for 100% Screening of Air Cargo

Security Debrief |

April 14, 2009

How is the air cargo industry preparing itself to implement the U.S. Government’s mandate for screening 100 percent of all international inbound cargo aboard passenger aircraft by August 2010? That’s the number one question for the air freight industry as it faces the challenge of meeting the 2007 Homeland Security law. Listen to an expert panel of security and industry experts in this exclusive webcast discuss how the air cargo mandates will impact security and trade.

Cargo Decline — Not the Time for 100 Percent Scanning

admin |

April 7, 2009

Today’s USA Today features a compelling video on the Port of Savannah. This port, like many ports in America is suffering tremendously from the economic slump. Given these challenges to America’s ports, it seems illogical to implement the 100 percent scanning mandate.

April 7: What will TSA do with 1 billion in stimulus funding?

Media Watch |

April 7, 2009

April 7: What will TSA do with 1 billion in stimulus funding? The Transportation Security Administration is getting $1 billion in taxpayer money from the latest stimulus package. What does the agency plan to do with all that money? And what exactly will it do to stimulate the economy? We get details from Gale Rossides, […]

Secure Flight is a Milestone Achievement – A Credit to All Parties

Security Debrief |

April 3, 2009

Recently, the TSA has begun the initial launch of Secure Flight which gives the agency the ability to mitigate risk in a significant way. Authorities have known since then that checking passenger behaviors and backgrounds is an important key in defeating the terrorists.

The Recent Tirade Against DHS

admin |

March 19, 2009

What’s with members of Congress beating up on the front line officer’s of the Department of Homeland security in recent days? Yesterday contributor Chris Battle wrote about Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s tirade against ICE agents on this blog, and this morning the Washington Post details Rep. Pete DeFazio’s impatience with transportation security officers in Portland, Ore. and just last week it was Senator David Vitter’s antics at Dulles that made the papers.

"The human factor remains a key to defending airports from explosives"

Security Debrief |

March 19, 2009

Security Debrief contributor, Ellen Howe, spoke with Randy Larsen and David McIntyre of Homeland Security: Inside & Out, about the need for human intelligence in the fight against explosives in airports.

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