Airport security takes stock of internal risks

Security Administration (TSA), after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, had put in place multiple layers of security, including crew vetting, as part of a risk-based approach. “We want to have a system in place like TSA where insiders do not become a risk in future,” he said.

Globally, agencies overseeing security at airports have come around to the view that the movement of employees working at airports need to be tracked, an official at the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) said, requesting anonymity. “Whenever an attack is planned, some insider will help those who will plan it from outside. So the people who work at the airport need to be watched,” the official said.

BCAS, which frames guidelines related to aviation security, issues an Airport Entry Pass (AEP) to employees at airports and takes local police help for background checks on airport employees. It will now switch to IB verification in select cases.

“The Ib-led insider risk assessment defines the character, behaviour and vulnerability of an employee, which may not be covered in current police-led verification. It is important for the security of the airports,” said LN Rao, a former Delhi Police officer and security expert.

Some airports run by private operators are testing biometric access to airports for employees.the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which manages 94 of the 100 operational airports, is installing biometric card readers at over 40 airports.

“If someone has not used the AEP for six months, he will be barred from using it again. Biometric access will help us track if an employee, who doesn’t have access to certain areas, is trying to access it or not. Also, off-duty employees won’t be able to enter the terminal building,” said another BCAS official.

BCAS issues over 100,000 permanent passes every year; temporary passes are issued on a daily basis.