Washington ( CNN ) -- Power it up , or leave it behind . The Transportation Security Administration said Sunday that security screeners at overseas airports may ask U.S.-bound passengers to turn on their electronic devices to prove they work and are n't explosive devices . They wo n't allow devices without power on board planes . The traveler may then undergo additional screening . It 's part of an update to security measures aimed at combating potential new threats from terrorists in the Middle East and Europe . Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson directed the TSA last week to enhance security at overseas airports that have direct flights to the United States . The specifics of the enhanced measures were n't originally released , and it is n't known what other measures the TSA may employ . The TSA also would have to coordinate with the foreign governments which provide security at airports in their countries , along with the airlines and private security companies . `` Our job is to ... try to anticipate the next attack , not simply react to the last one . And so we continually evaluate the world situation , and we know that there remains a terrorist threat to the United States , and aviation security is a large part of that , '' Johnson told NBC 's `` Meet The Press . '' `` This is not something to overreact to or over-speculate about , '' he said . A homeland security official said last week that the changes would primarily focus on airports in Europe and the Middle East . The effort does not involve changes to what travelers can take aboard flights . But passengers may see additional inspections of shoes and electronics , additional use of scanners designed to detect trace amounts of explosives , and another stage of screening at boarding gates , in some cases , the official said . The changes came about based on new intelligence on terror groups trying to build new types of improvised explosives that are harder to detect , the official told CNN . While there was no specific threat prompting the enhancements , U.S. officials are concerned about the possibility that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula might develop bombs which could pass through current security measures undetected . Since hardening cockpit doors and taking other measures after the 9/11 al Qaeda attacks , the U.S. aviation security focus has shifted primarily from hijackings to plastic and other explosives that can be carried aboard a plane or hidden in baggage . The UK Department for Transport confirmed Wednesday that it is stepping up some of its aviation security measures . `` For obvious reasons we will not be commenting in detail on those changes . The majority of passengers should not experience significant disruption , '' a spokesman said . `` The UK has some of the most robust aviation security measures , and we will continue to take all the steps necessary to ensure that public safety is maintained . '' The updated security measures only apply to airports overseas , and Johnson said he does n't think the enhancements will make their way to domestic airports at this time . `` I believe that we 've taken the appropriate measures to deal with the existing situation and not unnecessarily burden the traveling public , '' Johnson told NBC . Tighter security ordered for some U.S.-bound flights . CNN 's Jim Sciutto and Evan Perez contributed to this report .
NEW : `` Our job is to ... try to anticipate the next attack and prevent it from happening. TSA may require passengers en route to United States to turn on their electronics . They want to make sure the devices work and are n't explosives . It 's part of a series of new measures aimed at combating potential new threats overseas .