A review of risk-based security and its impact on TSA PreCheck

Abstract

Since September 11, 2001, the United States has invested a significant amount of resources into improving aviation security operations, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) assuming the responsibilities for security policy-making at commercial airports. This paper reviews the literature that supports policies for risk-based passenger screening procedures and chronicles the analytical analysis leading up to the launch (in October 2011) of the TSA Precheck program, as a first step toward implementing a risk-based security strategy for passenger and baggage screening. Multi-level passenger prescreening is the basis of the A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t mathematical framework behind TSA Precheck; the framework provides a prescriptive control of security operations in settings with limited resources. TSA Precheck assigns each passenger to a risk group, based on the initial perceived risk level (assessed in the prescreening stage), and then calibrates the security measures to mitigate the risk associated with each group. With passengers arriving in real-time and the order of their arrivals uncertain, the resource utilization problem is solved by dynamic programming. A numerical comparison between a risk-based and an equal-risk (i.e., non-risk-based) security model is presented to quantify the benefits of risk-based security.

Post-Pandemic Follow-Up Audit of Security Checkpoints

“…While these technologies are relevant to epidemiological monitoring and e-health [37], to be most aptly integrated at a checkpoint they must be modified in a manner reflective of the lessons learned during the pandemic. Contemporary checkpoint technologies are the result of the technologysocietal evolution of several generations of security systems [2], [21], [30], [38]. Periodic road-mapping is a common practice in identifying trends, needs, and priorities in checkpoint development [26].…”

“…Various intelligent prescreening systems were started from the CAPPS (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System), e.g. Secure Flight and TSA Pre-Check, and classify travelers into high-risk and low-risk traveler types based on information such as demography, flight information, frequent flyer status, and mode of payment for the ticket [21]. Intelligent techniques such as machine reasoning, aim to more actively support security personnel [19].…”

“…For example, the 9/11 attack stimulated R&D specific to biometric-enabled identification [16], self-service kiosks (gates) [17], trusted traveler services [18], biometric-enabled watchlists [19], [20], as well as the harmonization of advanced management techniques --all increasing checkpoint performance [21].…”

Biometrics in the Time of Pandemic: 40% Masked Face Recognition Degradation can be Reduced to 2%

“…Post 9/11 R&D period focused on increasing security, by introducing biometric-enabled ID and trusted traveler service [4], [5], self-service kiosks (gates) [6], [7], biometric-enabled watchlist screening [8], [9], [10], identity de-duplication detection [11], authentication machines [12], [13], implementation and deployment guides and regulations [7], [1], roadmapping [14], human right protection [15], as well as harmonization of advanced management techniques in order to increase a checkpoint performance [16]. The key performance measures remained the travelers' satisfaction with the service such as time of authentication, public acceptance of the biometric traits (face, iris, fingerprints), waiting times, privacy issues, and addressing the language barriers.…”

A Multi-Tier Inspection Queueing System With Finite Capacity for Differentiated Border Control Measures

“…As of March 14, 2021, there are 223 countries and regions with confirmed cases, while the cumulative numbers of COVID-19 infected cases and confirmed deaths increasingly mount to 119,030,459 and 2,640,349 according to the statistical data from World Health Organization (WHO) [4]. In order to avoid the spread of epidemic, most countries and regions have invested resources to carry out epidemic prevention and control tasks related to border control measures [5].…”