GAO Report Finds TSA Needs to Strengthen Security of Commercial Airport Perimeters and Access Controls
The General Accounting Office (GAO) has issued a report to Congressional requesters entitled, Aviation Security: Further Steps Needed to Strengthen the Security of Commercial Airport Perimeters and Access and Controls.
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GAO states that in the two years since the passage of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), the TSA has primarily focused its efforts on improving aviation security through enhanced passenger and baggage screening. ATSA also contained provisions directing TSA to take actions to improve the security of airport perimeters, access controls, and airport workers.
According to the GAO, this report assesses TSA's efforts to (1) evaluate the security of airport perimeters and the controls that limit access into secured airport areas, (2) help airports implement and enhance perimeter security and access controls by providing funding and technical guidance, and (3) implement measures to reduce the potential security risk posed by airport workers.
With respect to the TSA's efforts, the GAO made the following findings (see report for complete details):
Security of airport perimeters and access controls. TSA is conducting compliance inspections and vulnerability assessments at selected airports which, although not complete, have identified perimeter and access control security concerns. However, the GAO states that TSA officials acknowledged that it has not been determined how the results of these evaluations will be used to make improvements to the entire commercial airport system.
Providing help to airports to implement perimeter security and access controls. GAO states that TSA has helped some airport operators enhance perimeter and access control security by providing funds for security equipment, such as electronic surveillance systems. However, GAO notes, among other observations, that the TSA has not developed a plan for implementing new technologies or balancing the costs and effectiveness of these technologies with the security needs of individual airport operators and the commercial airport system as a whole.
Security risks posed by airport workers. The TSA has taken some steps to reduce the potential security risks posed by airport workers. However, GAO found that TSA had elected not to fully address all related ATSA requirements. Specifically, among other issues, TSA does not require fingerprint-based criminal history checks and security awareness training for all airport workers, as called for in ATSA. GAO notes that TSA has not developed a plan detailing when and how it intends to address these challenges.
As a result of its findings, GAO recommends that the Secretary of Homeland Security direct TSA's Administrator to develop and provide Congress with a plan for meeting the requirements of ATSA and taking other actions to improve airport security.
TSA Generally Agrees With GAO's Recommendations
In response to the GAO, TSA issued a statement explaining that it generally agrees with the report and its recommendations. However, TSA does note that the majority of issues raised by GAO already have TSA projects or efforts underway to address them. TSA added that the report ignored many of the efforts that TSA has under taken to enhance security in commercial aviation.
GAO Report (GAO-04-728, dated 06/04/04) available at http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-04-728
TSA Statement (dated 06/08/04) available athttp://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800ac831