In recent years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has taken steps to improve various areas of aviation and surface transportation security required under the TSA Modernization Act; however, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) notes some areas remain lacking.
In a new study released by GAO, they highlighted the good and the bad about TSA’s recent efforts. To begin, they noted that TSA reviews directives to address threats to airlines and foreign airport vulnerabilities. They have made tools to track these vulnerabilities better. Unfortunately, they do not coordinate effectively with industry representatives. In response, the TSA has agreed to better define how to coordinate with air carriers when reviewing directives and when to incorporate directives into security programs.
Passenger screening was another area of concern. Currently, the TSA develops screening rules by considering current intelligence and other factors to determine passengers that need to undergo enhanced screening. Rules reviews spawn from quarterly meetings and then stakeholders are notified of any rule changes. While TSA tracks some data on the resulting rule implementations, GAO determined that such tracking is not comprehensive and additional data sources are necessary.
GAO also found that the TSA does not fully ensure its screening technologies perform as intended after deployment. They certify their ability to meet detection requirements and to meet minimal operation requirements at airports, then go hands-off. GAO recommends subsequent reviews of the equipment.
The last point of concern has to do with surface transportation pipeline security. Better management is needed there, in GAO’s view, largely through the creation of a strategic workforce plan.
The TSA has agreed to review the recommendations made in the GAO report.