TSA has launched an outreach to airport operators on its Airport Security Innovations Project.
Supported by the Homeland Security studies & analysis Institute (HSsaI), TSA Transportation Security Network Management (TSNM), Commercial Aviation, Airports, will identify commercial airport operators' innovative security measures that exceed Part 1542 requirements or are employed in a particularly effective manner.
TSA said the intent of the project is to:
Identify innovative security measures in use at commercial airports;
Enhance TSA's understanding of the various factors airport operators consider when making security resource allocation decisions;
Provide airport operators with a reference document of the innovative security measures and a proof-of-concept tool that will assist security resource allocation decisions.
Working with AAAE, ACI-NA and Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network, TSA said it has clarified that this project is not an inspection, a vulnerability assessment, a special emphasis assessment or a compliance and enforcement tool. The agency emphasized that the intent is to identify innovative security measures currently in use throughout the industry.
In the near future, airport executives will receive a survey, via e-mail, from their federal security director. TSA requests that airport executives or a member of their security team complete the survey and return it to TSNMAirports@dhs.gov. Once HSsaI reviews the survey returns, the agency said it will begin contacting airports for additional information and/or requesting a visit to airports to further research innovative security measures.
In advance of receiving the survey, TSA is asking airport executives to review the project overview document (available on AAAE's Web site at http://www.aaae.org/?e=showFile&l=WBFNPJ), which will provide additional information and answer initial questions about the project. The TSA point of contact is Dawn Lucini, branch chief, airport policy, TSNM Commercial Aviation, Airports. She can be reached at dawn.lucini@dhs.gov or (571) 227-2017.
