In a recent trial by the Red Teams of DHS, officials disguised as passengers and underwent security checks at airports. Almost 95% of the times, the screeners failed to detect potential weapons and banned items on the agents, reported ABC News.
The report stated that in one of the incidents, the screeners stopped an undercover agent after an alarm was set off, but failed to find a fake explosive device on his back during a follow-on pat down. Reportedly, the screeners failed 67 of the 70 tests.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
DHS secretary Jeh Johnson said he had instructed TSA to revise its standard operating procedures for screening immediately and also carry out more tests to re-evaluate the situation in all airports across the country.
Airports will also go through random covert tests to validate their measures.
Johnson said: "The numbers in these reports never look good out of context, but they are a critical element in the continual evolution of our aviation security.
"We take these findings very seriously in our continued effort to test, measure and enhance our capabilities and techniques as threats evolve."
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe federal directors of all airports across the country will be informed about the findings of the tests.
TSA will also need to conduct training programmes for both transportation security officers and supervisory personnel to make them better prepared to deal with the vulnerabilities revealed through the tests.
The two agencies will overlook the status of the measures and would ensure that the steps are being implemented.
