Security Screening- A Comprehensive Program

Peter C. Williamson

Vice President

Rapiscan Security Products, Inc.

Introduction

Chairman Mica, members of the Subcommittee I thank you for the opportunity to provide this testimony and ask that my full statement be inserted in the record.

Rapiscan Security Products is one of the worlds leading suppliers of systems for the screening of luggage, mail, parcels, cargo and personnel. Our state of the art systems utilize x-ray as well as electromagnetic pulse technology.

Many areas of aviation security have been changed since the unthinkable events of September 11, although security screening has had minimal alterations, if any.  The current screening process is much the same today as it was 4 weeks ago offering a false sense of security to the flying public.  The current security protocol in place at most airports does not utilize the recent advances our industry has made to more effectively screen security threats. If we are to avoid future tragedies, short-term goals must be defined and implemented within the next few months.

Using a multi-layered approach, various technologies should be deployed.  Performance standards for all security personnel should be enacted and enforced.  All personnel, luggage and cargo entering an aircraft must be subjected to search. The first line of defense at standard checkpoint security locations should not be the only line of defense.  Vigilant passenger screening must become a priority.  Only then can we say airline security is improved and safer for the American public.

Performance Standards

In the past few weeks, there have been many discussions, both public and private, with regard to security screening personnel.  Lost in this discussion is the technology currently in place to measure the performance of these people.  Threat Image Protection (TIP) technology was developed some 5-years ago. The advantages of TIP are numerous, one of these being that screeners can see "projected" threats every few minutes providing quick performance feedback as well as motivation to stay alert. Currently, TIP Ready X-rays (TRX) are deployed at almost all Category X and Category 1 security checkpoints, although activation of the TIP software program is still in process. These TIP Ready X-rays must be activated immediately and utilized to measure and subsequently report detection performance.  In addition, deployment schedules for category 2, 3 and 4 airports must be accelerated to standardize the entire system.  Proposed rules and regulations must also be enacted to ensure the report data becomes nothing more than another piece of information.

A great deal of debate regarding the federalization of security screeners has been had in recent weeks, although in the end it will not matter who or what entity is in charge of the security screening personnel, the only matter of importance will be how well their detection performance is monitored and regulated.

TIP Demonstration Slides.

Checked Luggage

For many years, regulators in the U.S. and abroad have discussed and sometimes disagreed with the approach to screening checked baggage loaded onto an aircraft.  Regardless of the approach, each has its own limitations and operational drawbacks that must be supplemented with another level of screening if we are to scrutinize all baggage entering the system.

Where does this leave us?  With an immediate and operationally effective approach:  TIP technology is not, and should not be limited to checkpoint security.  Larger TRX systems can be placed at check-in counters in every major international airport over the next 3 to 6 months.  Not only will this approach ensure that every piece of luggage is searched, it will also serve to establish universal standards for detection performance at all levels of the baggage screening process. Given the maturity level of the technology, we foresee no limitations or restrictions on throughput levels,  which is substantiated by airports worldwide who have used this model for many years.

We believe that TRX checked baggage systems are one part of a comprehensive, layered security program, which will also include the continued use of Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) in conjunction with profiling systems and full passenger bag matching. Explosive Detection Systems can also be used to resolve alarms on the TRX checked baggage systems. This same model can also be used to address cargo screening for items ranging in size from 1-pound to small cargo pallets.

We have all come to realize there is no silver bullet. No single machine offers a solution to the challenges we face. This should not preclude us from implementing a multi-layered program that minimizes our risk.

X-ray Image Demonstration Slides.

Passenger Screening

The terrorist threat is changing and growing. Therefore, it is important to improve all aspects of security not just the conventional areas of concern, such as baggage. Currently passenger screening at airports is limited to metal detectors. High quality metal detectors are available and in use at some airports, although they cannot detect the full range of threats, which may be carried by an individual. There is only one technology commercially available today that can disclose all types of contraband concealed on people's bodies even under clothing and hair, including ceramic and plastic weapons, and explosives; not only metallic items. These devices, known as body scanners utilize a minute dose of ionizing radiation to create images representative of persons and contraband. 

Rapiscan believes that body scanning is another part of a comprehensive, layered security program. Based on readily available information (profiling, trace detection and metal detection alarms), passengers could be separated into smaller groups who merit additional attention. For those subjected to body scans a "same gender" security officer should be assigned to perform image analysis. In fact, passengers should be offered the choice between a body pat down or a body scan. The US Customs Service has used this approach successfully for the past 2-years.

We fully realize there are groups who oppose the use of such a device and we understand the importance of the right to privacy in today's society, although we consider the right to feel safe and secure within our borders to be equally important.

With an aggressive deployment schedule body scanning systems can be placed in every major international airport over the next 6 to 9 months. These systems will have an immediate impact on increasing the security process, as we know it today.

Secure 1000 Demonstration Slides.

Conclusion

Since U.S. airlines are seen as national symbols the threat of attack remains high. For this reason we must deploy available technologies to reduce the risk we face. We know we cannot make the world risk free, but we must protect our citizens, their values and the country's economic strength to the best of our ability. The technology is available today, and to not utilize it to the fullest extent possible would be simply irresponsible on all our parts.