Aviation Security
GSN looks at efforts by the Transportation Security Administration, better known as TSA, to enhance airport security with the help of metal detectors, security cameras and various biometrics, while paying close attention to the privacy issues that surround each governmental step to improve security.
TSA wants better X-ray gear for air cargo inspections
March 25th, 2008
As it continues to look for ways to tighten security for air cargo, TSA has launched a market research effort to find companies that produce X-ray equipment that can detect potential threats inside cargo pieces, parcels and pallets.
Re-established aviation security panel seeks new members
March 20th, 2008
TSA has decided to "re-establish" its Aviation Security Advisory Committee and has invited applications from prospective members who have "background and experience" in at least one of the nine constituency groups affected by aviation security.
DHS seeks better bioforensic tools
March 17th, 2008
The federal government’s forensic specialists, who would be called to the scene of a suspected bio-agent attack, want better tools to identify the agents they find and to compare those agents with other bio-agents they might collect at a suspected terrorist’s home laboratory.
Terror response: RAND study evaluates "novel" threats
March 14th, 2008
If a terrorist group has the potential to commit a specific type of attack – but has not proven it can do so – does that justify major changes in homeland security spending? Not necessarily, according to a new RAND Corp. study.
Aircraft arriving from south must land at San Antonio International Airport
March 12th, 2008
San Antonio International Airport in Texas will soon be added the list of designated airports at which certain small, unscheduled aircraft arriving from the south, across the U.S./Mexican border, must land for Customs and Border Protection processing.
TSA to outsource its screener training program
March 4th, 2008
TSA wants to find a training company that can help manage its "Specialized Security Training" program, which educates its workforce of more than 45,000 airport screeners, including 9,000 to 12,000 new employees who come aboard each year.
TSA launches search for the perfect laptop bag
March 4th, 2008
Relief may be on the way for the one-quarter of the flying public who routinely carry laptop computers through airport security checkpoints and currently are required to remove their laptops from their protective carrying bags.
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NIST to accredit biometrics labs
February 29th, 2008
With the use of fingerprint, facial, retinal, voice recognition and other biometrics becoming more common for what is known as "Personal Identification Verification" (PIV), DHS has decided to establish a network of independent, third-party laboratories that can test the performance of equipment used for these biometrics purposes.
