Civil Aviation Security:

Maximizing Modernization Benefits through Systems Integration

BG Smith
Joyce Forman

Course Rationale

Since 9/11, gaps in our nation’s transportation security were met with new technologies, policies, and operational procedures designed to enhance security across all modes of transportation (aviation, maritime, trucking, rail, and mass transit).

With its mission to improve domestic transportation security, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to seek new capabilities and identify emerging technologies for use in threat detection and prevention systems. While a strategic plan remains in development, DHS continues to focus on tactical responses to security gaps. What is currently missing from a technical perspective is an integrated, transportation system-wide, cross-modal concept for information sharing and interoperability. A cultural paradigm shift is essential, a shift in which security consciousness is raised to new levels and on a par with the culture of safety.

Course Description

This course provides a broad perspective of the National Homeland Security Strategy and the U.S. Transportation System security environment with a focus on Civil Aviation security and operations. It will introduce concepts for implementing and achieving aviation security while balancing passengers’ privacy and the negative impacts to the aviation industry.

The primary objective of this course is to discuss the trends, impacts, and implications of evolving policies, operations, and technologies to enhance aviation security. It will discuss current enabling technologies, programs, and operational concepts that address security vulnerabilities in the aviation sector of the transportation system. This course will encourage attendees to examine how security can become intrinsic to all aspects of aviation, which is essential to success and long term health of the aviation industry. Like safety, security must develop to be an integral part of every facet of daily aviation culture, including flight operations, design principles, practices, standards, certification, and information sharing.

The course modules familiarize students with the many interrelated components of aviation transportation security. The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) layered defense strategies, and data sharing initiatives will be explored as well as some current and proposed technology applications. Specific aviation security topics will include: TSA prescreening and credentialing programs (Secure Flight, Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), Registered Traveler, and international crew vetting); the use of smart cards and biometrics; and privacy implications in the use of passenger data and biometrics.

Cost:

One Day Course: $600

FAA employees will be invoiced upon completion of the course. The above-listed cost may be used as an estimate.

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