Airport Security Operations - CFR Title 49

Airport Security Operations Overview

• Subpart C of Title 49 CFR Part 1542 outlines essential security methods for Secured Areas, the AOA, SIDA, and access control systems.
• Access control systems manage who has keys to secure locks, accommodating numerous personnel with different access needs across extensive airport facilities.

Access Control Systems

• Complexity of systems integrates locks, keys, CCTV, fire alarms, and potentially biometrics while complying with federal regulations.
• Important for successful access control to accurately identify who needs access at any time and to account for each individual’s requirements.

Authorized Signatories

• Authorized Signatories determine access levels for airport users, particularly in large commercial airports with numerous Aircraft Operators, tenants, and contractors.
• Each Signatory must be trained as per Security Directive, allowing them to issue ID badges and modify access levels.

User Categories

• Airports typically classify users into five categories:
  • Aircraft Operators (airlines and cargo carriers)
  • Tenants (businesses with leases like shops and government agencies)
  • Vendors (unleased entities needing access for service and delivery)
  • Contractors (temporary or long-term workers)
  • Airport staff (the owners/operators)

Intake Process

• Initial intake meetings with new users establish expectations regarding access needs, security training, identity verification, and ID badge issuance.
• Necessary elements discussed include ASP sections, security training, Criminal History Record Checks, and confidentiality agreements.

Access Control and Security Areas

• Security Areas are designed primarily to protect scheduled passenger aircraft as High-Value Targets (HVTs).
• Implementing extensive high-security measures across the entire airport can be cost-prohibitive, so security levels are prioritized based on the areas and needs.

Airport Security Architectures

• Security consideration spans personnel flow, screening processes, separation of sensitive areas, and blast mitigation measures.
• Access control involves a combination of physical locks and electronic systems, including access/ID media, PINs, and biometrics.

Security Measures Enforcement

• Access Control and Alarm Monitoring System (ACAMS) logs all access attempts and oversees authorization for entry into secure areas.
• ACAMS does not control passenger movement but monitors authorized personnel flow to prevent unauthorized access.

Security Planning and Vulnerability Assessments

• Consideration for law enforcement and safety personnel in facility design is crucial for effective security measures.
• Physical security is governed by regulations and needs assessments, taking into account existing vulnerabilities and protection requirements.

Threat Mitigation

• Airports must prepare for potential threats, such as active shooter scenarios and security breaches, emphasizing the need for adequate law enforcement presence.
• Perimeter defenses (fencing, access gates) are the first line of defense, supported by advanced technologies for threat detection.

Conclusion

• All security elements, from access control to emergency responses, must be integrated into a comprehensive airport security strategy that caters to the unique layout and operations of each facility.### Security Areas and Identification
• Identifiable boundaries are essential for effective management of security areas.
• Key security areas include Secured Areas, Security Identification Display Areas (SIDA), Airport Operations Areas (AOA), and Sterile Areas.
• Non-public areas should also be clearly defined to enhance facility protection.

Facility Protection Measures

• Personnel protection measures include mobile/fixed security and law enforcement patrols.
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) influences offender behavior to prevent criminal acts by modifying the environment.
• Conducting threat or vulnerability assessments helps determine necessary security levels, guided by TSA's security guidelines.

Airfield Layout

• Airports are divided into three main areas: Airside, Landside, and Terminal.
• Airside/landside boundary integrity is crucial to minimize unauthorized access and security threats.
• Effective airside security involves physical barriers, access control, surveillance, and security procedures.

Airside Security

• The airside encompasses runways, taxiways, aircraft parking, navigational aids, and cargo operations.
• Access to the airside is regulated through gates and doors linked to the terminal.
• Security areas on airside are subject to regulations under 49 CFR 1542, ensuring total non-public access.

Landside Security

• Landside facilitates access for passengers and the public to terminals and includes parking, walkways, and ground transport.
• Security concerns exist due to proximity to critical infrastructure (e.g., schools, military facilities).
• Glide paths for aircraft must remain clear, influencing law enforcement and security patrol actions.

Terminal Design and Function

• Terminal buildings facilitate passenger boarding and deplaning, ticketing, baggage handling, and security screening.
• Centrally located terminals provide a buffer against external threats, enhancing security.
• The concept of “distance” is vital to implement systems that detect, delay, and respond to unauthorized access.

Patrol Requirements

• The Airport Security Program (ASP) should outline the requirements for security patrols, often involving operations, maintenance, and law enforcement.
• Patrols must be flexible and unpredictable to effectively prevent security breaches.

Additional Security Considerations

• Adoption of the term “Restricted Area” is permissible under the ASP, but must be defined clearly.
• CPTED techniques range from simple (like outdoor lighting) to complex strategies for facility protection.
• Blast protection measures in terminal design include standoff distances, barricades, and reinforced materials to mitigate vehicle-borne threats.