The present
Todays passenger and cabin baggage security
screening works, but at great cost to the aviation
industry, to authorities, and to passengers.
Given the predicted growth in air travel, continuously may also benefit from increased revenue
evolving threats, and passengers becoming opportunities through reduced wait times. Both
increasingly dissatisfied with queues and intrusive airlines and airports may be able to offer reduced
measures, todays model is no longer sustainable. connection times through efficient transfer screening.
2
Passenger Screening
3
Cabin Baggage Screening
4
Alternative Detection Methods
and Unpredictability
Concept Passengers generally res-
pond well to dogs and their
Alternative screening methods can enhance use is seen as fairly
deterrence and the overall effectiveness of the unobtrusive compared with
security checkpoint, while at the same time support other checkpoint measures.
operational efficiency and an improved passenger
experience through a layered approach. Unpredictable approaches: The role of
unpredictability is important as checkpoints become
Alternative detection methods include: increasingly constrained and new threats emerge.
Explosive trace detection: Residue left from the Unpredictability in the checkpoint improves
manufacturing, handling or transporting of security effectiveness, ensuring individuals
explosives is hard to remove. ETD equipment can cannot learn security methodologies or
detect trace amounts of explosives on a person, their use coerced or deceived individuals as a
clothes or their belongings. tool for improper intent.
The detection capabilities of
ETD are well recognized and a Benefits
variety of solutions are
available. The portability of Depending on the deployment method used,
these, together with the benefits may include:
unobtrusiveness of the
process, makes ETD an Enhanced detection of threats.
efficient and passenger- Improved checkpoint deterrence value.
friendly way to resolve alarms and/or introduce Flexibility in resource and space allocation.
unpredictability across the checkpoint. Flexibility to adapt screening percentages to the
prevailing threat level.
Explosive detection dogs: Dogs are already Reduced need for more invasive procedures such
deployed wide range of transport settings and can as full pat-downs.
be used to identify passengers who may be
carrying, or have recently been in contact with, Integrated approach
explosive materials.
Alternative screening measures will likely have the
With the ability to easily move about the terminal most value when implemented in an unpredictable
while assessing a large number of passengers in a way, and in coordination with other primary
short space of time, dogs offer greater operational screening approaches.
flexibility than fixed screening equipment.
The combination of measures applied should
The main limitation with using explosive detection ensure that the checkpoint remains as predictable
dogs is the length of time that they can maintain as possible from a passengers perspective, but
effective detection capabilities. unpredictable to those with ill intent.
5
Checkpoint Environment
and Management
Concept Passenger feedback: Solutions to collect and
analyze passenger feedback will enable a
Due to the growing number of passengers, additional constantly improving checkpoint environment.
security requirements, and increasing capacity
constraints, airports are considering innovative ways By implementing a combination of
to keep passengers moving through the checkpoint checkpoint automation, innovative design,
and to optimize their resource utilization. Improvements and repack area reconfiguration, a
in the checkpoint environment are an important participating airport has successfully
element of Smart Security as they could contribute to: increased its passenger security
satisfaction score more than 20%.
Improving the passenger experience through a
faster flow and clearer communication. Results and benefits
Increasing operational efficiency through greater
automation and resource optimization. Trials and implementations at a number of airports
Strengthening security by enabling the introduction have produced the following results:
of new screening technologies and methodologies.
Innovative divest solutions: The utilization of
Coupled with advanced checkpoint environment checkpoint equipment has significantly improved by
solutions, dynamic IT infrastructure (also known as allowing multiple passengers to prepare at once.
a Checkpoint Management System, or CMS) could
help better coordinate and share information, Automated reject lanes: Screeners are
monitor performance, and enable the technical enabled to maintain control of cleared and un-
integration of all checkpoint elements. cleared bags in both a conventional and CIP set
up thanks to automated reject lanes.
Solutions
Environmental improvements: A calm and
Automation: Automatic document scanning, quiet checkpoint environment reduces passenger
tray handling systems, and flow control gates can and staff stress and improves passenger and staff
optimize staff utilization and therefore reduce satisfaction scores through ergonomic features
operating costs. and less industrial-looking lanes.
Configuration: Innovative lane layouts, such as CMS Performance review and assessment:
parallel divestment stations or tray loading Management decisions are supported by easier staff
solutions, can improve throughput and operational performance monitoring, assessment of equipment
efficiency, as well as deliver an improved deployment or modification of processes.
passenger and staff experience.
CMS Resource planning and supply:
Risk-based: Integrating lanes with supporting Efficient resource planning and staff allocation at
technologies, such as radio frequency identi- the checkpoint are allowed thanks to historical
fication (RFID) trays and biometrics can enable and live data feed.
seamless differentiated screening without the
need for dedicated lanes for each passenger type. Integrated approach
Checkpoint design: The checkpoint environ- It is crucial to consider the overall checkpoint
ment can be improved by making it more appeal- automation and design when planning to install CIP,
ing to passengers and staff, resulting in a better passenger security scanners, identity management
security screening experience. or risk-based differentiated screening.
6
Centralized Image
Processing
Concept Results and benefits
In the traditional checkpoint process, every open A significant number of airports have trialed and are
security lane requires an X-ray operator at the same deploying CIP in accordance with their operational
location to scan and assess the contents of hand and regulatory requirements. Depending on the model
luggage and other items as they pass through the deployed and the business needs, CIP can deliver:
machine. Often, however, the machine is not working to
its full capacity, resulting in sub-optimal lane throughput. Increased lane and checkpoint capacity.
Improved resource utilization.
CIP allows all X-ray machines to be networked to Reduced operating costs.
provide airports with an enhanced ability to ensure Delayed capital expenditure related to expanding/
the X-ray machine and the X-ray operators viewing building new security areas.
the images are working to their full capacity. This Improved working conditions for security officers.
makes cabin baggage screening more efficient and Greater flexibility in security officer resourcing and
cost effective. rotations.
Integrated data collection for better checkpoint
In practice, the X-ray image is collected, queued, and management.
presented by an image processing system to the Enhanced passenger experience through shorter
next available officer who can be stationed away from queue time and quicker access to the checkpoint.
the lane in a centralized location or even still within Increased security effectiveness.
the checkpoint. Depending on the X-ray operators
decision, the tray will either be allowed back to the With the introduction of CIP, one airport
passenger for reconciliation, or diverted to a bag has increased its passenger throughput
search point. from 180 passengers per hour on a
conventional lane to over 400 passengers
Solutions per hour on a CIP lane.
7
Risk-based Differentiation
Concept Benefits
The approach to aviation security must evolve to Advanced technology that allows risk-based threat
counter emerging threats. detection is already benefiting the industry by
providing the ability to detect those items that are
Risk-based security is the concept of applying of greatest threat today while future proofing
different measures depending on the assessed against the threats of tomorrow.
level of risk. In the context of the passenger
screening checkpoint, this may mean varying the Data-driven risk-based differentiation models have
way that passengers are screened based on a already been implemented in some States while
number of factors. other stakeholders are still considering the best
differentiation models for their existing and future
Risk-based security initiatives will transition aviation needs.
security from a somewhat predictable model to a
more flexible and targeted concept that will enable Risk-based security practices do not need to be
screening resources to adapt to changing threats. based only on the use of passenger data.
Retaining elements of unpredictability will enhance Nevertheless, the use of data has the potential to
this approach to maximize the security outcome. offer a more objective approach to screening,
enabling resources to be targeted appropriately
Solutions depending on what is known about the passenger.
Risk-based threat detection: As the primary Today, all key aviation stakeholders recognize the
threat to aviation has shifted from metallic items, need for a more risk-based approach to aviation
such as guns and knives, to non-metallic items, security, as the current system will not be
such as solid and liquid explosives, advanced sustainable in the long term.
detection technologies should be integrated within
the checkpoint. Integrated approach
Risk-based passenger differentiation: To The development of risk-based differentiation in
balance the effective use of resources, different aviation security contributes to the efficiency of
security measures can be applied to passengers at security measures deployed at airports by ensuring
the checkpoint. While some passengers will benefit that screening measures are tailored to the risk
from an expedited screening experience, others will profile of each passenger. This is done by switching
be selected for enhanced screening. the detection algorithm of the
security scanner (and/or on the X-
Risk assessment may be achieved through behavior ray machine) or by guiding the
analysis and questioning techniques, ticket purchase passenger toward additional
characteristics or the flight routing. Per passenger verifications. As such, dynamic
pre-screening analysis may also help to categorize lanes or dedicated lanes would
passengers according to risk, either through the use facilitate greater operational
of passenger data, or through membership in a flexibility. This approach could
known traveler program. A combination of the most offset random selection.
appropriate methods for the risk and regulatory
environments can greatly contribute to the By defining the risk in advance, airports are
sustainability of the entire security system. allocating human and financial resources as
required.
8
Facilitating
Knowledge Transfer
Guidance documents
The knowledge gained and lessons learned from Smart Security has demonstrated
that many solutions exist today to make
the Smart Security trials and research activities are
security checkpoints more effective,
summarized into a comprehensive set of guidance
documents that provide a wealth of information and
efficient, and passenger-friendly. Our
best practice examples for stakeholders intending customers want to see these
to introduce Smart Security concepts in an airport innovations adopted by governments
environment. and industry as speedily as possible.
Risk-based
Risk-based
Differentiation:
Risk-based
Differentiation: Differentiation: Workshops and
Filtering Data Management
and Networking
showcase events
Smart Security is not a one-size-fits-all solution;
Passenger Cabin Alternative components can be combined in a wide variety of
Baggage Methods for
Screening Screening Screening configurations. But the set of variables that need to
be considered to define an optimal configuration
given a specific regulatory, business, operational
Centralized and cultural context can be quite challenging.
Checkpoint Checkpoint
Image Management Environment
Processing
To help stakeholders understand how they could
achieve maximum benefits from implementing
Smart Security solutions in their own, specific
9
Whats Next?
10
Potential Future Research
11
This is just the beginning.
Work with us to deliver the future.
smartsecurity@iata.org smartsecurity@aci.aero
www.iata.org/smart-security www.aci.aero/smart-security