Architecting Airport Security - Coursework Example

AIRPORT SECURITY DESIGN by Student’s name Code+ course name Professor’s name University name City, State Date Airport Security Design Security and peaceful co-existence between people from different parts of the world is crucial and important if development has to realise. With the latest development in technology, every aspect of our lives has changed tremendously. Technology has been widely in many countries in the world. Communication has been made easier and faster. Although this is seen as a greater achievement, it poses threat that most people, government and societies have failed to tackle. Many crimes are now being organized online such as cyber-crime, hacking, among others. Most governments have found it hard to deal with crimes organized on the internet. Demonstrations such as those experienced in Arab countries were also highly organized and the communication was done through the internet with sophisticated algorithms. All these pose a threat to the peaceful coexistence between communities. To make sure that people and different communities live in peace, there is need for the governments, and any other entity to make sure that security for its citizens is observed. Airport security systems are designed to fish out any security threat, to detect any foreign materials, which may be a threat to the security of other passengers and to the citizens of the country of destination. To make sure that all the systems are working properly, security personnel in the airports make sure that every person pass through installed security checks and make sure that they are clean and free from any security check. Drugs and terrorisms have been a major security threat to many authorities. In most airports, although everyone goes through the security checks, they have witnessed drugs passing through the checks. Terrorists pass explosive materials undetected and even people carrying unauthorised weapons through the security checks threatening and interfering with the security and rights of other citizens. For one to be cleared for flight there are many concerned entities and one have to pass through their security checks and pass them. These entities are the airlines, US immigration, US custom, and flight security checkpoints. The overall goal is to make sure that there are no security threats to the passengers and to the country of entry. All these entities have their own security policies. The airline companies have invested heavily on making sure that those using their aircrafts are not threat to others. Most airlines have adopted commuter-aided passengers pre-screening systems. These systems are designed to check on all the passengers, those who are wanted by the authorities, and those who are also wanted due to international criminal activities engagement among others. One is supposed to submit relevant information to the authorities for cross checking to make sure that those wanted by the authorities do not travel through their airline and be a problem to others. The information includes personal information such as country of origin, past travelling records, and past criminal records. Other security policies include training and educating all employees in all aspects of their safety and security related responsibilities so that they are able to detect any security threat. They also seek to set specific measurable and obtainable objectives for safety and security performances and continuously improve safety and security standards and practices. Passengers are also reminded to take care of their own security by reporting any persons they suspect or know that can compromise security of the air ports. They are also encouraged no to carry with them things that pose security threats to other passengers. In addition, airline companies nowadays share information about their passengers with security personnel to boost security. They share the birth dates and names of the passengers with security personnel so that they can be matched during security checks. It is also a security policy by the airlines to make sure that all the passengers have paid and pass through the required procedures. The other entity being airport management authorities are also actively involved in making sure that there is enough security for all people. They are responsible for designing the airport security systems. These systems are strategically placed to make sure that not only those who are traveling are monitored but also the employees in the airports. These systems include cameras, fire detectors among others. Metal detectors are also placed in strategic places to detect any unauthorized metals that may be tried to be sneaked in the airplanes. Other security policies include working together with other industry players to lift bans on some chemicals, liquids, and gels that are not allowed in the aircrafts. Some of these materials are not a threat and airlines have worked hard to put in place ways of checking and screening those chemicals. Another security policy is full authorization in general use of security scanners. These scanners help in scanning for any materials which may be of a threat to others. The transport security agencies have also banned some items from being carried when flying. These objects are seen as probable threats to the passengers. Some of these items include sporting goods, firearms, explosives, and flammable materials, sharp objects, disabling chemicals, guns, and any other dangerous items that the authority may see as a threat to the security of the passengers. It is also a security policy for all the passengers to pass through all the security checks that are put in place, for them to be screened and their luggage to be checked of any security threatening objects. Passengers are supposed to pass through different security checks starting from checking of whether they have relevant documentation and whether they have paid. This is then followed by security checks where they are screened of any prohibited materials. This is then followed by their luggage being x-rayed to check on what is inside. In some cases, jackets are also screened to check whether they may be used to pass some weapons to the aeroplanes. In additions, some passengers may be required to remove their boots so that they are screened. Possible Attackers In the last two decades, terrorism attacks have been a major concern on the airplane although not many became a reality; with 9/11 incidence opening eyes of many security organs. Terrorisms have been a threat to many passengers using airplanes for domestic and international travels. Security personnel have intensified security checks by use of computers to fish out possible terrorists or any material that may be used by terrorists to threaten security of the passengers. Although terrorism attacks in some countries have reduced, they still pose a threat to peace and security of aircrafts (Alexander & Martin 2008, p.4). Other possible attackers include militias. Flying on some places such as Syria has become dangerous and most airline traffics tend to keep off some of the areas. Other threats include people who may be planning to revenge on the government, mentally disturbed passengers among others. Others include insurgencies in countries that have been experiencing war and civil unrest. Besides the usual possible attackers, there are some emerging trends in the world of technologies. Attackers and terrorists have adopted technologies to further their security threatening activities. They are using sophisticated technologies to beat the authorities on their activities. Cyber-crimes and hacking have become a threat to the development of our technologies. Airport systems need to be protected from such criminals who can easily get control of the systems through hacking. Modern weaponry is also posing threats to the airline industry. Use of long-range missiles by some countries is also threatening the security of air transport. Some airplanes belonging to some countries may not be able to pass through certain airspaces due to their relationship with other countries. Terrorist are motivated by their political and religious beliefs. Most terrorists are funded by some organizations such as Al Qaida among others. Most of terrorists are brainwashed to believe that the terrorism acts they do is in accordance with their belief. Due to the success they had in planning the 9/11 bomb attack the security of the passengers in the aircrafts, the airport have been boosted to clearly check on every passenger and determine the level of their security check. Terrorists have succeeded in many occasions to threaten peace. Militias may be motivated to hijack aeroplanes so that they may be paid ransom to fund their activities. Authorities have to put extra security measures to make sure that those using the airport are guaranteed of their safety. In many countries where the problem of militia and insurgencies are rampant, tight security measures have been put in the airport. All passengers, workers, and airport security personnel need to be checked if the security of the people in the airport, in the airplanes or any other places is to be guaranteed. In modern world, technologies have become accessible to almost anyone who has money to purchase them. There are people who are selling some of the security threatening technologies to unauthorized people threatening the peaceful coexistence of the people. With all these, capabilities among attackers who may target airplanes and passengers have increased tremendously. Technologies that are not detectable by scanners have been developed, signal jammers have also found their way to the black market and these can be an avenue which may be used by many people who may be planning to attack airplanes. There are also employees of airport who may have questionable integrity issues and are corrupt and may be used by terrorist to pass some items that are not allowed in the airplanes. All these need to be addressed so that all the passengers feel secure when in the airports and when in board. There is needed to come up with integrated security system that will restore security, reduce threats and still observe personal privacy. In conclusion, security systems in the airports need to be perfected if the passengers are to be safe. With the current rate of development in technology, there are high possibilities that some of those technologies will find their ways into the wrong hand. When they do so, such technologies may be utilized for terrorism acts and kill or injure innocent people. There is then a need to make sure that, airport security system is capable of neutralising such threats and make the airport and air transport a better and secure way to travel. F A C metal detectors Containment area A= pre-screening area B= passengers inspection C= screening area D= custom desk E= bomb detectors in bags and luggage F= move the bags and luggage The proposed design, besides offering advanced pre-screening option, will give security personnel less work as much of the screening is automatic. Pre-screening offers a chance to detect any prohibited materials. In addition to the automatic detection, security guards will frisk all persons entering the airport through the main entrance. In this design it is very hard to pass without being detected. References Alexander, M. & Martin, C. (2008). Immigration policy and the terrorist threat in Canada and the United States. Read More

The overall goal is to make sure that there are no security threats to the passengers and to the country of entry. All these entities have their own security policies. The airline companies have invested heavily on making sure that those using their aircrafts are not threat to others. Most airlines have adopted commuter-aided passengers pre-screening systems. These systems are designed to check on all the passengers, those who are wanted by the authorities, and those who are also wanted due to international criminal activities engagement among others.

One is supposed to submit relevant information to the authorities for cross checking to make sure that those wanted by the authorities do not travel through their airline and be a problem to others. The information includes personal information such as country of origin, past travelling records, and past criminal records. Other security policies include training and educating all employees in all aspects of their safety and security related responsibilities so that they are able to detect any security threat.

They also seek to set specific measurable and obtainable objectives for safety and security performances and continuously improve safety and security standards and practices. Passengers are also reminded to take care of their own security by reporting any persons they suspect or know that can compromise security of the air ports. They are also encouraged no to carry with them things that pose security threats to other passengers. In addition, airline companies nowadays share information about their passengers with security personnel to boost security.

They share the birth dates and names of the passengers with security personnel so that they can be matched during security checks. It is also a security policy by the airlines to make sure that all the passengers have paid and pass through the required procedures. The other entity being airport management authorities are also actively involved in making sure that there is enough security for all people. They are responsible for designing the airport security systems. These systems are strategically placed to make sure that not only those who are traveling are monitored but also the employees in the airports.

These systems include cameras, fire detectors among others. Metal detectors are also placed in strategic places to detect any unauthorized metals that may be tried to be sneaked in the airplanes. Other security policies include working together with other industry players to lift bans on some chemicals, liquids, and gels that are not allowed in the aircrafts. Some of these materials are not a threat and airlines have worked hard to put in place ways of checking and screening those chemicals. Another security policy is full authorization in general use of security scanners.

These scanners help in scanning for any materials which may be of a threat to others. The transport security agencies have also banned some items from being carried when flying. These objects are seen as probable threats to the passengers. Some of these items include sporting goods, firearms, explosives, and flammable materials, sharp objects, disabling chemicals, guns, and any other dangerous items that the authority may see as a threat to the security of the passengers. It is also a security policy for all the passengers to pass through all the security checks that are put in place, for them to be screened and their luggage to be checked of any security threatening objects.

Passengers are supposed to pass through different security checks starting from checking of whether they have relevant documentation and whether they have paid. This is then followed by security checks where they are screened of any prohibited materials. This is then followed by their luggage being x-rayed to check on what is inside. In some cases, jackets are also screened to check whether they may be used to pass some weapons to the aeroplanes. In additions, some passengers may be required to remove their boots so that they are screened.

Read More