AirporTech Asia 2008
ABSTRACT
Technologically Enhancing the Human Element
Ronen Remetz, Director Operations, ICTS Europe
A few facts, to start with: the tragic events of 9/11 were low-tech terrorist attacks perpetrated by 19 individuals scattered through various large airports in the US; the attempt of Richard Reid, the “shoe bomber,” to blow up a US aircraft was low-tech, and, at least since the moment he arrived to CDG Airport, he acted alone: one terrorist among thousands of innocent passengers and visitors; the same can be said about the two Chechen widows, who in August 2004 succeeded in bringing bombs on board of two different airplanes departing from Moscow and detonated these during their flights, killing a total of 84 passengers and crew.
On another note: while passenger numbers increase constantlythe airport-experience itself remains for most passengers a disturbing, tiresome, unpleasant occurrence, for others it becomes an adventure of epic dimension. It is generally agreed between all parties involved (primarily and most enthusiastically by passengers) that this state of affairs cannot continue indefinitely.
It is obvious to all that airport security is slowing down the flow of departing passengers at airports. The fact that the terrorist threat remains high and that airports and airlines continue to represent an attractive target for terrorists is a matter of general consensus too, among analysts.
We will focus our attention on the bottle-necks that slow down the flow of passengers: not the check-in counters (thatare gradually replaced by kiosks now, and by mobile phones soon,) not the baggage sorting areas, governed by HBS systems and sophisticated baggage sorting and loading systems, not the ever growing distances at huge airports equipped with state-of-the-art fast trains, not even the boarding gates, where passengers arrive already exhausted (and do quite welcome an occasional “slow-down.”) The crucial bottle-necks are the security checkpoints, where all passengers are basically subjected to “egalitarian” security procedures – but let’s remember: these procedures missed the likes of Mohammed Atta and Richard Reid in the not so remote past. We also know that terrorists constantly improve their capabilities and are remarkably creative, while at present time there are no signs for any break-through technological solutions for checkpoints.
Our presentation makes the point that security must be enhanced, and that the airport experience of passengers must radically improve, and that these two factors are inter-reliant and co-dependent. “Better Security for Better Passenger Service!” – is the message.
We will make therefore the point that a minor paradigm shift must take place. We will suggest that the security agent at the passenger security checkpoint must be provided with risk-analysis based information and must enhance the focus on the potentially threatening passenger. A technological supportive system for decision making must assist the checkpoint operator for this purpose. As a result – the checkpoint will display different processing lanes for different risk categories of passengers. While high-risk passengers will be checked with better – but slower – technology, low risk passengers might even be exempted from certain checks. Regulators’ legislation and collaboration is imperative, however the same Regulator will also supply the risk-analysis based information (on high-risk, but possibly also on low-risk passengers,)thus gaining even better, and more direct control over security at airports.
Needless to say that such approach would also focus more attention on illegal immigration and on organized crime. ICTS Europe is already using its own technological development (CPM) for its services of passenger security treatment as well as for document checks and immigration fine prevention. More than 1000 units of decision making supportive systems are deployed in 26 countries around the Globe for the benefit of 35 ICTS Europe clients. These systems are processing about 1 million passengers yearly, have generated a 30% reduction in the processing time of passengers, thus improving security as well as passenger service.
In other words: “Focus on the kinds of Mohammed Atta and Richard Reid – and wave old Granny and her 10-years old grandchild through security.” Or almost…