Risk Assessment Report - Assignment Example

(2010). This assessment report discusses some of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with Transportation security Administration (TSA), the nature of the risks as well as their potential mitigations. One of the main risks that are currently facing TSA is the vulnerability of the organizations resource allocation process. This is particularly because TSA an agency has not been providing proper documentation that indicates how they develop their budget justifications based on risk analysis to justify or prioritize activities.

For example, although the current assessment activities at TSA have independently addressed various individual risk components such as vulnerabilities and threats, they have failed to combine the main components of risk and develop a readable risk assessment as always required by the NIPP. Generally NIPP requires that credible risk assessments in organizations should not only be documented but must also include the three main components of risks so that they can effectively be used to support the processes of resource prioritization, planning and risk assessment at the national level.

Another potential risk facing Transportation security administration (TSA) is the insider activities that may compromise the security of the agency’s sensitive information and data. This is attributed to the fact the TSA often depends on sensitive information regarding transport and security to meet some of its objectives. As an organization charged with the duty of providing effective and efficient security for passengers and freight transportation, TSA has its own predicament concerning goods and passengers security.

Unsecured website has been a damning discovery on the company as clients personal information is exposed to identity theft. In December 2009, an employee working with the TSA posted a sensitive manual titled screening management SOP on confidential airport showing plan to a URL on the FedBizOpps website. This manual was first exposed but taken down though the breach raised eyebrows with questions arising on the security practices being compromised. Five TSA employees were thus placed on forced leave over the scandal.

According to many analysts, another critical risk that of the organization faces is risk of destruction of its infrastructure and air craft hijacking. Destruction of the airline and rail infrastructure is a risk as such distraction from by vandalizes and terrorists can result to major loss and paralyze the whole transport sector. Hijacking of either highway motorists or aircraft on the other hand by terrorists or other criminals poses a major risk. This does only result to the loss of life but also a major economic loss.

Another risk is that of highway hijackings as well as threat to security of the public (Hutto, 2009). Generally such risks often involves outcome of a given cause that has a likelihood of resulting to destruction. Transportation Security Administration is one of such agency that is charged with the responsibility of ensuring security of the travelling public. By virtue of its operations is likely to be affected negatively by any risk.