globe

Laying Down the Law

TSA enhances screening measures, expands use of ETD technology

In response to the failed Christmas Day bombing by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Transportation Security Administration has mandated enhanced screening measures at airports nationwide for U.S.-bound passengers traveling from or through state sponsors of terrorism and other countries of interest.

Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian national, attempted to detonate an explosive device containing PETN and TATP hidden in his underwear while on board Northwest Airlines flight 253, en route from Amsterdam to Detroit. His trip originated in Lagos, Nigeria. Abdulmutallab has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction; attempted murder within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States; willful attempt to destroy and wreck an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States; willfully placing a destructive device in, upon and in proximity to an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States; and two counts of possession of a firearm/destructive in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted, he faces a life sentence in prison.

The State Department designates four countries as sponsors of terror: Cuba, Sudan, Syria and Iran. These countries have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. The other countries of interest are Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen.

The long-term, sustainable directive states that every U.S-bound traveler who holds a passport issued by, or is traveling from or through, nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest are required to undergo enhanced screening. The TSA has not offered details on the enhanced security procedures. TSA also is expanding the use of explosive trace detection technology within security checkpoints to randomly screen passengers' hands and carry-on luggage. If travelers refuse the ETD swab, they may be subject to additional screening and referral to a law enforcement officer. A TSA blog stated that TSA officials are aware and sensitive to the fact that many travelers may work around chemicals that may result in a positive ETD result. They are cognizant that an alarm does not automatically infer guilt. They have the experience and procedures in place to ascertain those who pose real threats while clearing innocent travelers.

Tried and True

Airports nationwide rely heavily upon Smiths Detection's IONSCAN 500DT, which received TSA certification in 2006. These devices are employed as explosives detection systems for checked baggage and ETD systems for more visible environments such as security checkpoints. With the expanded use of ETD technology, TSA officers will place IONSCAN 500DTs on handcarts for mobile random screening of passengers at security checkpoints, in checkpoint queues and at boarding areas. Officers may swab carry-on luggage or passengers' hands and use the device to test for trace explosive residue. For sanitary purposes, screening swabs are disposed of after each use.

By incorporating two IMS detectors in a single unit, the IONSCAN 500DT is capable of detecting and identifying more than 40 explosives and narcotics during a single analysis. The detectable explosives substances include RDX, PETN, NG, TNT, HMX and TATP. TSA does not calibrate the ETD machines to test for narcotics.

"Explosive trace detection technology is a critical tool in our ability to stay ahead of evolving threats to aviation security," said TSA acting administrator Gale Rossides. "Expanding the use of this technology at checkpoints and at departure gates greatly enhances security to keep the traveling public safe."

Serious Business

The Department of Homeland Security has awarded $15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for the purchase of 400 fixed ETD machines. President Obama's 2011 budget includes an additional $39 million to purchase 800 portable ETD machines.

Funded in part by the ARRA, Morpho Detection has recently signed a contract with TSA to deliver hundreds of Itemiser® DX ETD machines. The contract value is approximately $16 million.

The TSA-certified Itemiser DX is an ion trap mobility spectrometer that has been added to the TSA Qualified Product List for ETD. It is the first trace detector that simultaneously detects positive and negative ions. The desktop detectors will be deployed at airports nationwide to screen checked baggage, passengers and cargo.

"We are especially pleased to have our next-generation Itemiser DX explosive trace detection system chosen by TSA for use at airport checkpoints across the country," said Dennis Cooke, senior vice president and CEO of Morpho Detection Inc.

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

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

  • 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.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.