There are numerous methods and procedures for ensuring the safety of passengers and airport property when it comes to airport security. As a result, airport security needs to be on high alert. Therefore, there are essential directions like security audit, explosive and drugs detection canines, training of employees, creation of safety checks, and the expansion of cyber security measures addressed in this paper.
Before deciding which areas of an airport require development or updating, it is critical to inspect equipment and cross-check systems. A security audit will reveal what functions well and what does not. The audit process comes in handy in identifying specific dangers to airport security (Naji et al., 2018). As a result, management will become aware of potential hazards and therefore put in measures to curb these hazards. The vulnerability assessment will be discussed once it is completed. Inspections, assessments, and suggestions will generate actionable observations and recommendations. Protective steps will be implemented to ensure the property’s safety. Security audits can, however, be expensive and demanding for the airport. However, the benefits are more than the cost of conducting the audit and implementing the recommendations.
While conducting the audit, make a point of looking for security videotapes. Fewer conflicts occur as a result of increased border security. Customers and screening line employees have a history of getting into heated arguments. The first step in onboarding new employees is determining what causes security breaches. Security footage is frequently used in personal injury and insurance claims (Naji et al., 2018). Any other type of evidence is always preferable to video evidence. Regularly examining their employees’ daily routines will assist them in becoming familiar with the procedures of their respective departments.
A security breach at an airport may arise due to insufficient location monitoring. As a result, the building’s outside and inside should be guarded. The airport should, therefore, implement security inspections and patrols. The most significant disadvantage of this technique is the high expense of security inspections and patrols. While CCTV cameras are becoming more prevalent in many firms, they cannot compete with human personnel regarding service quality. There should be a random or predetermined timetable for security vehicle patrols around the perimeter of the facility in order to keep it safe. Mobile patrol units are a preferable solution in locations where full-time guards are not required. These persons must always be prepared to act due to their constant mobility. The security system’s inability to move freely may expose vulnerabilities in its defenses (Naji et al., 2018). To maintain an eye on the property, having someone drive around the perimeter in a car may be advantageous. When criminals flee, authorities are less likely to apprehend them, the armed guards will therefore be able to stop criminals from infiltrating the airport.
A security checkpoint should be placed before clients are allowed into the screening lanes. Aircraft facilities are not just at risk from passengers. Outsiders and coworkers alike should be viewed with caution. Security risks can be reduced by performing ID checks at multiple locations. The screening procedure can be sped up by increasing the number of pre-security checkpoints. Choosing a trustworthy security partner is critical. Airport security must be well-trained and well-prepared to handle the influx of passengers. With the proper security collaboration, one can ensure that customers have a positive experience while protecting the people and assets. It is critical to find a security partner who can adjust or adapt their strategies to airport security challenges within the shortest time possible.
Body scanners are commonly used in airport security, but they are slow, inaccurate, and may pose health risks. They could also endanger safety due to their inaccuracy in detecting foreign materials (Hunt et al., 2021). Many experts say pat-downs should be used only as a last resort in an emergency. Autonomous luggage lanes will help speed up the procedure and save time. Bags and other items are inspected for explosives in these new lanes before scanning by the X-ray machine. A separate line has been set up for loads that have been labeled as risky. Passing through the central street with baggage and clients takes less time. Improving the effectiveness of screening lanes increases the efficiency of security efforts and increases customer satisfaction. It expedites screening and makes passengers more comfortable.
A canine explosive and drug detection dog is the most effective method of detecting explosives and drugs smuggled into a country via airports. The dogs have been trained to recognize dangerous chemicals in a disaster. As a result, day-to-day activities at the facility will be minimally impacted due to their ability to perform under challenging settings. They have been known to board flights, albeit briefly. Dogs are generally recognized as the most reliable and adaptable solution for bomb detection (Farr et al., 2021). There is an increasing demand for highly competent explosives detection canines worldwide. When it comes to training and deployment, many puppies do not meet the stringent behavioral standards necessary to attain mission-specific skills. Regardless of the circumstance, these dogs are up to the task. They have a chance of success due to their interaction with the trainers. They can thus be used in conjunction with existing security measures that are already in place but are unable to identify bombs or illegal narcotics.
Improved cyber-resilience through implementing security measures in airports is vital in enhancing the airport’s security. Studies on the cyber security of these systems have been carried out by researchers, worldwide standard organizations, and regulatory bodies in recent years. To safeguard a system against cyberattacks, designers must first identify attack vectors. This knowledge is vital in helping system designers develop safe strategies. (Hunt et al., 2021). Therefore, it is critical to ensure that no loopholes can make the vulnerable systems hackers to gaining access to the servers.
One of the most common ways for hackers to access computers and networks is through an attack vector. Hackers employ attack vectors to exploit system flaws, including those caused by human error. Various attack methods, including code injection and other types of cyberattacks using networks, portable devices, and other media, can compromise airport security cameras (Hunt et al., 2021). Identifying attack vectors can be accomplished by examining the system’s design and potential cyber threats and thorough penetration testing. As a first step toward narrowing the scope of applicable cyber security requirements, the following tasks are undertaken in this research: They are used to assess attack vector elements. The cyber security model is used to determine the security level of an airport, a target system, and a system. Investigating known flaws in the cameras and performing penetration tests to look for suspicious activity
After the previous tests have been performed, the issue of technological security may be addressed. It may be performed by either repairing malfunctioning equipment and systems within the airport or resolving issues such as increasing the buffers in the security system firewall to keep hackers at bay, among other things. In order to improve the overall security of the airport, it was also required to acquire new equipment or collaborate with a more up-to-date security system.
Airport security systems have made it simpler to apprehend drug smugglers, but new methods of smuggling drugs aboard planes are continuously being developed. In addition to illegally smuggling drugs, airport security Employees play a critical role in the success of any given organization. Airport staff are no exception; it is, therefore, crucial for the management to ensure the staff is well versed with their duties and responsibilities. Personnel has been trained to look for other prohibited items on planes (Naji et al., 2018). Prior attempts to smuggle gold, antiquities and even exotic animals have been foiled by airport security. Airports have additional security procedures in place once a jet has landed in addition to the pre-flight inspections. It is becoming increasingly difficult to prevent unauthorized access to airports, airlines, and their information as hackers develop new and more sophisticated techniques of assaulting aviation networks and ATC systems. Cybersecurity has become a severe concern for the aviation sector because of its increasing reliance on digital technologies. Authorities and airlines are spending much money on cyber-security measures to secure the air transportation industry from cyber-attacks. In the case of a mass shooting at the airport, airport security protects passengers.
In the absence of security measures, criminals would have the ability to attack the airport. With the intention to deter criminals from conducting similar acts in the future, airport security measures have been implemented. The advancement of technology has led to an increase in the employment of sophisticated tools and technologies by airports to combat possible risks to passengers and make air travel more secure on some of the most powerful equipment available today.
References
Farr, B. D., Otto, C. M., & Szymczak, J. E. (2021). Expert perspectives on the performance of explosive detection canines: operational requirements. Animals, 11(7), 1976.
Hunt, K., Agarwal, P., & Zhuang, J. (2021). Technology adoption for airport security: Modeling public disclosure and secrecy in an attacker-defender game. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 207, 107355.
Naji, M., Abdelhalim, S., Al-Ani, A., & Al-Kilidar, H. (2018). Airport security screening process: a review. CICTP 2017: Transportation Reform and Change—Equity, Inclusiveness, Sharing, and Innovation, 3978-3988.