Ever Vigilant - Lessons learned but the fight goes on


Not surprisingly, the events of 9/11 shot security to the top of the agenda for airlines, airports, governments and border agencies. Measures that had previously seemed perfectly satisfactory were, at a stroke, revealed to be inadequate against the forces of terrorism.


Ten years on, in response to both 9/11 and subsequent, thankfully thwarted attacks, a raft of enhanced security measures have been introduced to try to ensure that the terrorist is identified and apprehended before departure.


Prior to 9/11 there was limited screening of people travelling to the US apart from the visa process and checks carried out on departure and on arrival at US immigration. Provision of advance passenger information (API) was voluntary and its quality and accuracy often left much to be desired. There was virtually no advance screening or inter-agency-intelligence sharing and no biometrics captured


Today, data provided through API, Passenger Name Records (PNR) and biometrics is deemed crucial. PNR data analysis helps to detect people on watch lists up to 72 hours before their departure. Furthermore, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses PNR information to pinpoint previously unknown, high-risk passengers by checking their movements against established terrorist travel patterns. Watch lists and databases now incorporate biographic and biometric information and can be shared with relevant agencies at home and overseas.


Would-be visitors to the US under the Visa Waiver Program must now go through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program. Similarly, every single passenger planning to fly into, out of, or within the US is pre-screened against government watch lists under the DHS Secure Flight program.


Technological developments have contributed to the strengthening of security, but increased international cooperation, intelligence-sharing and a multilayered approach to screening is fundamental to success.


Perhaps the main lesson to be learned is that information-sharing is vital to security. However, the ability to correctly interpret and disseminate this information among all relevant agencies is crucial if security is to be maximised.


The US leads the way in this respect and ARINC has been a long-standing partner to US CBP and DHS, supporting the use of API and PNR. ARINC continues to work with a range of international stakeholders and those in the US and takes great pride in the contribution it is able to make to help keep borders safe, and to assist in meeting the ever changing threats to national security.


Please contact emea@arinc.com for more information 40 www.arinc.com/secure August 2011 Aviationsecurityinternational


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