Building on research and development, and strategic capability plans developed the previous two years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Thursday published a technology investment plan that among other things outlines in general the system architecture of the Airport of the Future and related technology gaps, initiatives and concepts.
For the most part, the plan’s Airport of the Future vision, which is broader than the usual Checkpoint of the Future moniker the agency has used, has been outlined in previous documents and official statements, which “envisions a future defined by intelligence-driven, risk-based screening procedures and enhanced technology that will enable TSA to employ a flexible, adaptable, and robust multi-layered approach to detecting an evolving range of threats.”
But the new congressionally-mandated Strategic Five-Year Investment Plan for Aviation Security does say the agency is in the early stages of developing a system architecture that will aid in the development of capabilities in the architecture domains of business, including strategy, process and operations, information, to include the design of data and interfaces, applied IT, which includes IT infrastructure and data flow, and security equipment, which includes all components of the security screening system.
“Over the next few years, TSA will focus on developing a comprehensive system architecture that will allow TSA to proactively identify gaps and define capabilities at a system level,” the 50-page plan says. “TSA will collaborate with industry to develop this shared vision of the future state of aviation security where business, data, and next-generation platforms combine to enable near-real time decision-making and response capabilities to combat emerging and evolving threats.”
Peter Neffenger, the TSA Administrator, said in a statement accompanying the “forward-looking” plan that it “supports implementation of best practices and improved transparency with regard to security technology acquisition plans.”
Current non-prioritized technology gaps identified in the plan that are driving technology investment are enhancing the ability to resolve alarms, enhancing operators’ ability to screen passengers’ carry-on and checked baggage, supporting risk-based screening throughput goals, enhancing the ability to verify a passenger’s identification and determine vetting status, minimizing physical contact with passengers, reducing divestiture screening requirements, better identifying and screening a passenger and his baggage based on an assigned risk level, enhancing the integration of systems to support risk-based screening, support remote access and data collection from security equipment, and enhancing the ability to adjust security posture based on risk.
Various technology initiatives and innovative concepts underway include the Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology-led APEX Screen at Speed program, which includes TSA and is aimed at the future checkpoint and the Dynamic Aviation Risk Management Solution (DARMS), which is aimed at assessing the risk of an individual for each flight. Other initiatives include one led by Sandia National Laboratory to develop the Open Threat Assessment Platform, a prototype X-ray system based on open interfaces and standard data formats.
TSA also says it is exploring expanding the use of biometrics for various uses such as crew access control, passenger authentication, and integration of passenger risk levels with screening equipment.
The plan provides general timelines for when certain capabilities could be introduced. For example, in the next one to three years it expects credential authentication technology, enhanced algorithms for body scanners, and enhanced interoperability and standardized systems to be achieved. In three to five years it foresees greater use of biometrics, DARMS and even capabilities that are part of the Apex Screen at Speed program.
The plan describes the TSA’s technology investment framework, including how it assesses risk, analyzes capability needs, the components to the acquisition life-cycle, the current security technology acquisition programs and associated equipment, recapitalization plans, and its cyber security challenges.
TSA operates and maintains more than 15,000 pieces of transportation security equipment, and at least 2,400 of these will be reaching their end-of-life in the next five years, the plan says. Despite budget reductions, the agency must still plan to recapitalize these aging items “to enable mission success,” the plan says.
The plan lists the amounts and a type of security equipment deployed, and provides a timeframe for their life expectancy. For example, explosive detection systems used to screen checked baggage have a 15-year life expectancy, which is five years more than TSA thought when it began deploying the technology in the wake of 9/11.
The plan also provides general plans for recapitalizing security equipment out to FY ’20. For example, over the next five years TSA plans to buy between 39 and 87 EDS systems annually. In Beginning in FY ’17, the agency plans to purchase 296 next-generation Advanced Technology X-ray systems for screening carry-on bags, followed by 233 the following year, 169 in FY ’19 and 196 in FY ’20.