Aviation Security

     As of late, there has been an increasing amount of prominent threats emerging to oppose the aviation industry. One of these, are the threats from insiders. This has been labeled as a major threat to aviation via the Department of Homeland Security. An insiders is considered anyone who has insider knowledge or access to information that can be utilized to exploit the vulnerabilities of the aviation industry. Due to their close proximity and easy access to important information and locations, insiders have been deemed a top priority in evaluating threat sources. An insider could be "personnel employed by governments, airports, airlines, and other aviation stakeholders, including vendors, suppliers, and sub-contractors that may have unescorted access to aircraft or secure areas in airports or in sensitive locations off airports" and it is estimated that they number approximately 1.8 million (Homeland Security, 2018). An example of an insider attack occurred in July of 2019 when an American Airlines mechanic tampered with the air data module system on a departing flight. Luckily, the tampering was discovered prior to takeoff, and the flight was cancelled. The mechanic later plead guilty for attempted destruction of an aircraft. 

    TSA as a 20 layered security program, and while most are designed to prevent external threats from passengers, others are used to prevent threats from inside as well. For example, crew vetting, which is a security threat assessment performed for all members of aviation crews, is a very important process in determining the trustworthiness and reliability of aviation employees. Similarly, behavior detection programs are in place in order to catch any suspicious or out of place activities or behaviors being exhibited by employees and crew members as an early avoidance technique for preventing inside threats. Additionally, random employee screening is used to prevent weapons and contraband from being used or passed to other passengers within the airport. Finally, airport police and TSA officials are always on the lookout for unusual behaviors and actions from fellow employees.

Resources: 

DHS. (2018). National strategy for aviation security. National Strategy for Aviation Security | Homeland Security.https://www.dhs.gov/publication/national-strategy-aviation-security

Former American Airlines mechanic sentenced to prison for attempting to destroy an aircraft. The United States Department of Justice. (2020, March 4). https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/former-american-airlines-mechanic-sentenced-prison-attempting-destroy-aircraft#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20court%20record,to%20depart%20MIA%20for%20Nassau%2C

TSA. (2017, August 1). Inside look: TSA layers of security. Inside Look: TSA Layers of Security | Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2017/08/01/inside-look-tsa-layers-security