TSA’s $900 Million Failure

TSA’s $900 Million Failure

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Nov 13, 2013

After spending approximately $1 billion over the span of about 10 years for a program started by TSA to train agents to spot terrorists and criminals from groups of everyday passengers by observing behaviors that may indicate stress, fear or deception, Congress has determined that the Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) program has yet to prove its effectiveness.

TSA’s $900 Million Failure

Perhaps it was the recent shooting at Los Angeles International Airport that helped trigger this decision, but the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report saying that Congress risks wasting more money on this program if it continues to fund it without scientific proof that it works.

Found within the GAO report, “Twenty-one behavior detection officers at four airports said that some behavioral indicators are subjective and that they are working to better define them.”

Wow! Almost one billion dollars to fund a program that is based on the personal feelings and opinions of “trained” TSA agents…seems like money gone down the drain. However, the Department of Homeland Security does not agree with the recommendation to cease funding of the SPOT program, even though “the study that TSA cites in defending this program was fundamentally flawed,” weighed in Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, the ranking Democrat on the transportation security subcommittee.

What do you think?

Do you agree with the Department of Homeland Security that the program should be salvaged?

Or, because all available evidence and data shows that the program cannot be proven effective and that profiling is “probably no better than chance,” should the program be ceased and the funding used in a different way? What better way can these funds be used?

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/13/politics/tsa-terrorist-observation/index.html

http://news.yahoo.com/tsa-screening-report-181448603.html

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/11/tsa-behavior-profiling-not-effective-gao-report-finds/

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    7 Ways You Can Secure a High-Traffic Commercial Security Gate  

    Your commercial security gate is one of your most powerful tools to keep thieves off your property. Without a security gate, your commercial perimeter security plan is all for nothing. Read Now

  • Surveillance Cameras Provide Peace of Mind for New Florida Homeowners

    Managing a large estate is never easy. Tack on 2 acres of property and keeping track of the comings and goings of family and visitors becomes nearly impossible. Needless to say, the new owner of a $10 million spec home in Florida was eager for a simple way to monitor and manage his 15,000-square-foot residence, 2,800-square-foot clubhouse and expansive outdoor areas. Read Now

  • Survey: 72% of CISOs Are Concerned Generative AI Solutions Could Result In Security Breach

    Metomic recently released its “2024 CISO Survey: Insights from the Security Leaders Keeping Critical Business Data Safe.” Metomic surveyed more than 400 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from the U.S. and UK to gain deeper insights on the state of data security. The report includes survey findings on various cybersecurity issues, including security leaders’ top priorities and challenges, SaaS app usage across their organization, and biggest concerns with implementing generative AI solutions. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities 3

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises. 3

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles. 3