Evolution of Airport Security and Challenges

Preliminary progression of Airport Security
The beginning of the 1960s to late 80s was often referred to as the ‘Golden Age of Airline Hijacking’. The United States airspace alone saw 159 aircraft hijacked. Security-related incidents tended to be dominated by multiple hijacks, and terrorist bombings by individuals looking for quick political asylum rather than for political leverage. This was necessary to create a global framework for dealing with instances of unauthorized intrusion. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) took a leadership role in developing aviation security policies and measures on an international level beginning with the introduction of magnetic screening devices aimed at detecting guns and other metallic weapons. Soon, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to turn to an unconventional idea—profiling. Based on the passengers based on characteristics such as height, failure to maintain eye contact, or an inadequate level of knowledge or concerns about one’s luggage. Due to the short-term results, the airlines then voluntarily rolled out the profiling program.
On July 17, 1970, New Orleans International Airport in Louisiana became the first airport to use magnetometers to detect weapons or anything made of metal with behavioral profiling of passengers. Security measures have significantly reduced the number of hijackings but have not eliminated the risk as evidenced by the hijackings on 9/11, American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami, and Tianjin Airlines flight 7554. What we did see, however, was a dramatic drop in the number of hijackings as compared with when the airlines relied solely on profiling and human agent discretion.

Current situation
Due to the complexity of airport communities, where several organizations have a variety of responsibilities, it is rather difficult to establish a single institution with ultimate authority that is responsible for managing all safety operations at an airport. Aviation security is now increasingly relying on biometrics, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), checkpoint, hold/hand baggage screening, access control and perimeter security technology and behavioral analysis etc to mitigate aviation security risks. This helps them reduce the workload of individual security staff and focus on high-risk passengers and cargo.
At all levels, security system integration is proving difficult. New technologies have an impact on future labor structures, training programs, and hiring practices at the organizational level.

Challenges today
Due to the growth of loyalty programs, there are now more opportunities for fraudsters to access legitimate consumers’ accounts by phishing scams, hacking weak login credentials, or even corrupting an unreliable internal employee. Drones used for commercial operations and recreational purposes are operating dangerously close to manned aircraft and airports. As a result of growth, they are seeking greater access to airspace. Another concern is that drones might be used to launch a coordinated terrorist attack. Internal airport operations are frequently the target of cyberattacks. Access control and perimeter intrusion systems, network-enabled baggage systems, credential and document management systems (CAD, blueprints), enabled aircraft systems, radar systems, ground radar, facility management, utilities, and supervisory control and data acquisition are the most common examples (SCADA).
A malicious threat to civil aviation comes from within the industry, airport or airline etc. stakeholders, such as employees, former employees, contractors or business associates, who have inside information concerning the organization’s security practice, data and ICT system.

Future of Airport Security
The aviation industry plays a crucial role in obtaining and maintaining a significant amount of valuable data. Additionally, with this data, they not only ensure a seamless passenger experience rather enable even more personalized customer care.
Artificial intelligence (AI), Machine learning and predictive analytics represent the next big wave in airline digitization that uses data, analytics and predictive algorithms to determine a traveler’s propensity to spend and presents airports with a wealth of opportunities. Computerized Tomography or CT Scanners replaced with CT walkways would be able to detect any questionable items carried by passengers or in their luggage as they pass through instead of waiting for the person in front of you to search every inch of their bags and remove all shoes, belts and watches.
The next-generation Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) sets to offer enhanced image resolution by using wideband antennas to provide advanced Automated Threat Recognition (ATR) detection algorithms to detect objects concealed on a passenger’s body without physical contact.
Suspect Detection System (SDS) is an automated interrogation and background check technology to act as a polygraph for catching potential suspects. It will monitor levels of different chemicals in a passenger’s body and use advanced algorithms to determine the threat level. Off-Airport Handling can become the future of hassle-free flying. Passenger baggage is collected from passengers at a convenient time and location, screened either on-site or off-site, and brought to the airport for additional inspection.

Closing Thought
The last decade of airport operations has seen significant results in favor of automation and digitization. Airport operators encounter a range of challenges, altering markets and shifting client expectations. New tactics, technology, and investments are needed to meet these demands and expectations. Airports are looking for constant innovative solutions as decades pass by.