	Background

The security of the U.S. commercial aviation system has been a long- standing concern. Limited Information Exists on the Effectiveness of Aviation Security Initiatives

TSA has implemented numerous initiatives designed to enhance aviation  security, but it has collected limited information on the effectiveness of  these initiatives, particularly its passenger screening program. Challenges in Strengthening TSA’s Passenger Screening Program

In addition to collecting performance data on the effectiveness of its  passenger screening program, TSA can strengthen other areas of the  program to help improve screeners’ ability to detect threat objects. Since that report was issued, TSA has  identified a number of actions it has taken or plans to take to address  these concerns. To help accomplish  this, TSA has developed and deployed basic and remedial screener training  programs. Although TSA has deployed basic and remedial training programs, it has  not fully developed or deployed recurrent or supervisory training  programs to ensure that screeners are effectively trained and supervised. TSA  officials acknowledged that their initial staffing efforts created imbalances  in the screener workforce, and reported that as they work to further  reduce the screener workforce, they will solicit input from the Federal  Security Directors as well as airport and air carrier officials. Assessment of Contract Screening Pilot Program

Consistent with ATSA, TSA implemented a pilot program using contract  screeners at five commercial airports. These challenges include implementing the new Computer- Assisted Passenger Prescreening System; strengthening baggage  screening, airport perimeter and access controls, air cargo, and general  aviation security; managing the costs of aviation security initiatives; and  managing human capital. Among the most significant are the following:    concerns about travelers’ privacy rights and the safeguards established to  protect passenger data;  the accuracy of the databases being used by the CAPPS II system and  whether inaccuracies could generate a high number of false positives and  erroneously prevent or delay passengers from boarding their flights; the length of time that data will be retained by TSA; the availability of a redress process through which passengers could get  erroneous information corrected;   concerns that identify theft, in which someone steals relevant data and  impersonates another individual to obtain that person’s low risk score,  may not be detected and thereby negate the security benefits of the  system; and   obtaining the international cooperation needed for CAPPS II to be fully  effective, as some countries consider the passenger information required  by CAPPS II as a potential violation of their privacy laws. However, TSA faced  challenges in meeting the mandated implementation date. In addition to fielding the EDS systems at airports, difficulties exist in  integrating these systems into airport baggage-handling systems. TSA  is taking some additional action to strengthen security at general aviation  airports, including developing a risk-based self-assessment tool for general  aviation airports to use in identifying security concerns. Aviation Security Funding

TSA faces two key funding and accountability challenges in securing the  commercial aviation system: (1) paying for increased aviation security,  and (2) ensuring that these costs are controlled. Aviation Security: Progress since September 11, 2001, and the  Challenges Ahead. Aviation Security: Terrorist Acts Demonstrate Urgent Need to Improve  Security at the Nation’s Airports.
Why GAO Did This Study

Commercial aviation has been a long-standing target for terrorists. Since the tragic attacts of September 11, 2001, substantial changes have been made to enhance security--including the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the federalization of the passenger screener workforce. However, despite these changes, vulnerabilities in aviation security continue to exist. Accordingly, GAO was asked to describe TSA's efforts to (1) measure the effectiveness of its aviation security initiatives, (2) strengthen its passenger screening program, and (3) address additional challenges in further enhancing aviation security.

What GAO Found

TSA has implemented numerous initiatives designed to enhance aviation security, but has collected limited information on the effectiveness of these initiatives in protecting commercial aircraft. Our recent work on passenger screening found that little testing or other data exist that measure the performance of screeners in detecting threat objects. However, TSA is taking steps to collect additional data, including developing a 5-year performance plan detailing numerous performance measures, as well as fielding the Threat Image Projection system and increasing screener testing. In addition to collecting performance data, TSA could further strengthen passenger screening by fully deploying recurrent and supervisory training programs, determining the appropriate levels of screeners at the nation's airports, and improving oversight of the contract screener pilot program. Although TSA has developed and deployed basic and remedial training programs, it has not fully developed or deployed recurrent or supervisory training programs. In addition, TSA acknowledged that its initial staffing efforts created imbalances at the nation's airports, and that it has taken limited action to assess the performance of the pilot airports using private, versus federal, screeners. TSA is undertaking a number of actions to address these concerns, including strengthening its training program and awarding contracts to assess its staffing model and the performance of the contract pilot airports. TSA faces a number of other challenges as it continues to enhance aviation security. Significant challenges include implementing the Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II), as well as strengthening baggage screening, airport perimeter and access controls, and air cargo and general aviation security. In implementing CAPPS II, TSA must ensure it addresses concerns surrounding travelers' privacy rights, the accuracy of databases used by CAPPS II, and obtaining international cooperation needed for the system to be fully operational. Additional challenges include integrating explosive detection systems into airport's in-line baggage handling systems, identifying cost-effective perimeter security technologies, effectively targeting air cargo for screening, and improving security at general aviation airports. Further, TSA faces challenges in funding increased aviation security measures and ensuring that these costs are controlled.