Staff Report | DFW Newsflash | November 2017
WASHINGTON — Members of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator today appeared before the House Committee on Homeland Security to discuss the results of the most recent OIG covert testing at airport security checkpoints in a classified briefing. TSA concurs with the DHS OIG findings and is committed to aggressively implementing the recommendations as it continues to raise the baseline for aviation security at airports throughout the country.
“We take the OIG’s findings very seriously and are implementing measures that will improve screening effectiveness at checkpoints,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We are focused on staying ahead of a dynamic threat to aviation with continued investment in the workforce, enhanced procedures, and new technologies,” he added.
TSA is pursuing technology investments to include credential authentication technology, automated screening lanes and computed tomography as well as increased investment in training. The screening capabilities are complemented by additional layers, including vetting, Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) on flights, and the use of canines.
In addition to the OIG tests, TSA conducted tens of thousands of internal tests in 2016, with a similar number of tests in 2017, and continues to make improvements needed to protect the traveling public. Continuous testing is necessary to ensure the agency is effectively protecting the nation’s aviation systems.
“We will invest in our people, continue to improve our processes, and engage new technology to keep transportation systems secure,” concluded Pekoske.
SOURCE: TSA
