Seeing Clearly: Security Detection Insights and Trends

The US Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) new requirements for enhanced measures related to personal electronic devices (PEDs) are now fully in swing in a range of last point of departure (LPD) airports globally. As a result, TSA has rolled back a full PED ban previously imposed on airlines operating from select Middle Eastern locations.  

A quick recap of the last six months: TSA first issued a PED ban for select locations, hinting that computed tomography or CT systems at checkpoint could allow electronics to fly. US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kelly then spoke of a full ban for airlines inbound from foreign locations. Finally, the ban was turned off and airlines and airports hustled to implement additional security procedures with existing and available technology. 

For detection technology solution providers, this uncertainty must be incredibly confusing. Having written two prior blog entries on the topic for regulators and security operators, this final entry focuses on considerations for technology providers as they grapple with an ever-changing landscape.

June 29, 2017

As anticipated, on Wednesday the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued new requirements for 180 domestic and foreign airlines operating from 280 Last Point of Departure airports inbound to the U.S.  Fortunately, airport operators and airlines outside of the U.S. were spared a full ban on electronics, at least for the near future.  This said, the new measures are sure to wreak havoc on airport operations and cause delays in U.S.-bound traffic.

I wrote an article a few weeks ago outlining considerations for regulators as they contemplated imposing a full ban.  This follow-on article focuses on considerations for airport operators as they deal with the operational realities associated with the new requirements issued this week.

(Written on a laptop on a flight from Paris to Denver.)

The US government has hinted at the expansion of a current laptop ban, which is currently applied to ten locations in the Middle East and Africa. Airline and government stakeholders gathered at the beginning of June in Cancun to discuss a possible way forward.

All of this feels very familiar.

In January of 2017, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Industry Community for Aviation, Travel and Tourism published a white paper, Digital Borders: Enabling a Secure, Seamless and Personalized Journey. Although the focus is mostly on border security, there are several key insights for the aviation security (AVSEC) community to consider.

Last September's UN Security Council’s unanimous adoption of Resolution 2309 sent a strong message to the world. Declaring the global aviation system as being of vital importance to economic development and prosperity, the resolution urged Member States to “strengthen security screening procedures and maximize the promotion, utilization and sharing of new technologies and innovative techniques that maximize the capability to detect explosives and other threats.”
A great statement of purpose – but what comes next? How do the nations of the world come together and collaborate to enhance aviation security at all levels? What is the first step?