Technology and Terorrism by Paul Wilkinson

Author:Paul Wilkinson [Wilkinson, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, General, Political Science
ISBN: 9781136298387
Google: XRQ-xYlfTrgC
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2012-12-06T03:35:56+00:00

Application of Technology to Aviation Security

RODNEY WALLIS

This paper suggests that the air transport industry may have failed to maximize the security benefits available through 'high-tech' developments despite its dependence on technological advances in all other areas of its operations. It highlights passenger and baggage reconciliation as the 'bedrock of any defence against the baggage bomber' and cites the introduction of computer-based, automated matching programmes at Frankfurt's International Airport to demonstrate their feasible application at major gateways. Consideration is given in the text to the role and viability of the X-ray as a security tool; warns against 'cosmetic' security; touches upon vapour analysis techniques as a means to detect improvised explosive devices and discusses computer-based access controls. Despite the various technological advances, the paper suggests the human element will remain a key ingredient in the aviation security mix.

In my various papers published during the 11 years I was Director of Security at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), I gave clear indication of my belief in a systems approach to aviation security. There is no 'silver bullet' to use against the terrorist: thus a building block approach to maximise our defences is essential. This paper is just one aspect of aviation security and is presented in that context.

In many respects, the application of technology to aviation security can be considered a story of missed opportunities. Yet, Civil Aviation, of all the service industries, must be perceived as the most technologically minded. From the supersonic Concorde spearheading a multi-billion pound investment in aircraft to the multifarious computer systems developed to handle passenger acceptance processes or to deal with the complex accounting systems, 'high-tech' dominates thinking in the world of civil aviation. The industry depends on state-of-the-art equipment to move people and their baggage through the major international airports. Similar equipment is a necessity to account for passengers purchases of tickets and to transfer money between airlines and travel agents and from one country to another. Such technology helps simplify processes which make it possible for a passenger to buy a ticket in one country for travel to and through many others and on several different airlines. Here is technology being applied to the commercial world of air transportation.

None of it would be possible without the application of technology to all facets of airline and airport operations. Given such obvious and visible evolution, it would be instructive to conclude that similar technological development has been applied to the security of aircraft and airports and to the passengers and crew. It would also be natural for the general public to assume that just as pilots and accounting staff are professionally trained to maximise the benefits of the new age technology, so too are the personnel appointed to provide security services to the international air companies and to airports. Regrettably, any such assumption on a global basis would be incorrect.

High-tech is applied to aircraft to make them fly faster and further carrying ever larger payloads. The driving force is profitability. The effect of improved performance is easy both to measure and to comprehend.

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