Aviation Security Threats Quiz

Aviation Security Threats

• Threat Assessment: Threat is the probability of an attack. Factors determining threat include motive, intent, and capability.
  • Motive: Political, personal, religious, hate-motivated, prisoner release.
  • Intent: Kill, injure, destroy, damage reputation, damage economy.
  • Capability: Bombing, hijacking, shooting, etc.

Targeting Civil Aviation

• High-Profile Industry: Civil Aviation is a high-profile industry that draws attention and can cause a large impact with a limited risk of attack. Creating a large visible reaction from governments is an effective method for terrorists.
• Forceful Government Action: Attacks on civil aviation frequently force governments to react in a desired way.
• High Casualties: Attacks can cause numerous deaths and injuries.
• Large Impact, Low Risk: Attacks have significant impact with minimal risk for the perpetrators due to the target's high-profile nature.

Threat Actors

• Terrorists: Possess political, financial, or religious motives and often intend to kill many people.
• Criminals: Motivated by financial gain (e.g., commercial or financial).
• Refugees/Asylum Seekers: May pose a threat due to desperation.
• Mentally Ill Individuals: Pose a threat due to unpredictable behaviors which may target others.
• Protestors: Can disrupt operations or act as decoys or sources of information during protests.
• Journalists: Can be highly motivated and may be used by terrorist groups to gather information or for extreme journalistic purposes.

Threat Types

• Unlawful Seizure/Hijacking: Seizure in the cabin followed by hijacking/taking over cockpit once in the air. Best opportunity is at 500 ft (full fuel, empty aisles, passengers seated).
• Ground-Based Attack: Use of ground-to-air missiles.
• Bomb on Board: Any passenger or their belongings that are not screened or shown missing should be treated as suspicious.
• Airport Sabotage/Attack: Attacks on the airport itself.
• Off-Airport Locations: Attacks targeting catering facilities, cargo operations, and related locations.
• Screening Interference/Systems Attacks: Interference or attacks on airport or related systems during or after screening.

Cargo Security

• Known Cargo: Cargo that has been screened and sealed.
• Unknown Cargo: Cargo with broken seals—should be returned for screening.

Insider Threats

• Planning and Smuggling: Insiders might assist in planning attacks or smuggling items through exploiting insider access.
• Managing Insider Threats: It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent insider threats. Suspicious activity should be reported promptly to management and security.
  • Appropriate Reporting Channels: Immediate reports should be made to security departments, legal advisors, and relevant authorities.

Threat Assessment & Communication

• Assessment Authority: The Ministry of Interior (MOI) and Kuwait National Intelligence Agencies assess threats. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) receives and then shares this information with Kuwait Airways (KAC).
• Threat Levels: Three-tiered threat levels (Red, Orange, Green) inform decision making for operations.
  • Red: High threat level—operations cease.
  • Orange: Medium threat—operations continue but with increased caution.
  • Green: Low threat—normal operations continue.

Aviation Security Roles & Responsibilities

• DGCA: Highest authority in aviation security, setting policy and overseeing enforcement, with associated documents (NCASP, NCASTP, NCASQCP).
• Kuwait Airways(KAC): Implements guidelines and policies set by the DGCA, with their associated documents (KASP, STP, SQCP).
  • Cross-Departmental Cooperation: Policies and implementation involve policing, screening, customs, and immigration.
• ICAO (Annex 17): Highest international authority in aviation security.

Personal Security Responsibilities

• Awareness & Knowledge: Awareness of surroundings, knowledge of procedures and security protocols.
• Actionable Attitude: Willingness to report suspicious behavior.
• Security ID checks: Check IDs for picture, validity, and issuing department, report missing IDs.
  • Passenger IDs: Include passport/civil ID and boarding pass. Security questions to passengers are encouraged.
  • Vehicle Passes: Vehicles also require passes, including temporary permits that must be displayed.
• Staff Screening: Staff have specific restricted/prohibited items such as explosives, firearms (under MOI Z1 procedure), sharp objects, blunt objects, and stunning devices (under MOI Z1 procedures). Security has zero tolerance policies.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

• Suspicious Items: Maintain safety by keeping people back, and questioning ownership, monitoring and reporting to security.
• Unattended Items: Follow procedures for checking, reporting, and handling.
• Suspicious Behavior: Watch for unusual activity (near sensitive areas, video/photo taking, questioning security procedures), report to security.
• Threat Communication: Threats can arrive via different channels (phone, text, face-to-face, social media, mail/email).
  • Responding to Threats: Remain calm, gather information, record time and other details, keep the line open whilst gathering information and providing it to security team.
• Five W's (Life-Saving Questions): Where is it? When will it go off? What does it look like? Who are you? Why are you doing this?

Threat Levels—Actionable Information

• Red: Stop operations based on credible threats.
• Amber: Heighten security measures; credible but not definitive threat exists.
• Green: Normal operations proceed; minimal threat detected.

Test your knowledge on the various aviation security threats and the factors that contribute to threat assessment. This quiz covers motives, intentions, and the targeting of civil aviation, providing insights into how attacks can force government actions. Understand the dynamics of risks associated with civil aviation in detail.