The modern airport is a feat of advanced technology, skilled collaboration, and sharp timing. If just one thing goes wrong, the error will cause a ripple effect that impacts everyone.
Airport security becomes tighter and tighter with each passing year. These locations are kept under strict protocols to ensure the safety of passengers and workers. With today’s security systems, airports are able to stay up and running even in the face of curveballs.
What are the different types of airport security and how do they work? We’ll break down the inner functions of the airport to give you the bigger picture.
What Protects an Airport?
No airport is complete without a set of regularly updated security systems. The margin for human error isn’t able to be reduced to zero, which is where artificial intelligence comes in.
Screening Protocol Vets Passengers Thoroughly
Not just anyone or anything is let onto an airplane. Dangerous people need to be kept away from passengers. Certain foods, materials, and ingredients are hazardous when brought into the wrong environment.
Screening protocol is separated into hold baggage screening and passenger pre-board screening. Hold baggage screening processes luggage using a blend of x-ray systems, detection systems, and personalized attention.
Passenger pre-board screening uses metal detection alongside general passport and identification checks.
CCTV Systems Keep a Close Eye on Everyone
CCTV is a well-known tool in any security toolbox. Airport CCTV systems run around the clock to catch malicious parties, lost luggage, or strange behavior.
Today’s CCTV systems are linked with complex biometric scanning to spot even minute details.
High Security Bollards and Vehicle Barriers to Prevent Vehicle Access
If it’s not broken, there’s no need to fix it. Vehicle security bollards and barriers are a classic security measure installed around the airport and terminals to prevent unwanted vehicle intrusion.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Vehicle Barriers
The best security is adaptable. We’ve been in the business for nearly a century providing businesses and residential areas the tools needed to stay safe.
Do Airports Have Private Security?
Not all airports have private security, though this resource is becoming more popular as of late. Due to strict pandemic protocol and changing laws, private security adds a layer of protection.
Private security is also extremely flexible, allowing airports to continue running when traditional employees are unable to work.
What is the Process for Airport Security?
Airport security is a tried-and-true process to ensure everyone moves safely throughout the world. While rules and regulations change slightly in different countries, the underlying foundation is the same.
- Scan your luggage
- Pass through a metal detector
- Review your boarding pass
- Double-check additional identification such as passport, visa, or individual passes
- Dispose of any objects such as gels, liquids, or flammable materials
What are the Security Guards at Airports Called?
The formal term for security guards at airports is TSA, short for Transportation Security Administration. They’re also called transportation security officers.
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What are the Main Functions of Aviation Security?
Aviation security needs to remain hypervigilant in the event of a natural disaster, data breach, or accident. These workers patrol the airport and regularly review airport technology to ensure everyone is kept as safe as possible.
Day-to-day functions of aviation security include (but aren’t limited to):
- Providing ongoing security protection for individual passengers or groups
- Assisting aviation, aircraft, or motorists
- Screening and searching passengers
- Answering questions
- Providing escorts
How Can Airport Security be Improved?
Airport security is constantly undergoing revisions on both the technology and employee front. There are always better ways to keep passengers safe and happy on their flight.
There are a few additional ways airport security can be tightened.
Additional ID Checks
Never put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to airport security. While ID checks are needed during the screening process, they should also be required throughout the entire facility.
Boost Canine Training Protocol
Did you know a dog’s sense of smell is over forty times stronger than a human’s? This powerful olfactory sense is indispensable for spotting hazardous materials, explosives, and weapons.
Airport security should boost its EDD feature (Canine Explosive Dog Detection) to continue spotting threats early. These dogs are able to work in all kinds of difficult weather and form tight bonds with their trainers.
Perform Regular Security Audits
Audits are vital parts of any ongoing business function. This function ensures you’re constantly checking for weak spots on an ongoing basis, rather than waiting for something to go wrong.
Your security audit should check features such as:
- Technology analytics
- Key and lock capabilities
- Assessments of the airport grounds
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Add BBRSS High Security Bollards to vulnerable pedestrian areas and crash rated vehicle barriers to access control points for various critical utilities of the airport, such as fuel deposits and utilities sites.
Conclusion
The different types of airport security available today add up to a larger picture. Several features combine for maximum effect rather than relying on one stale process.
Airport security is a term that involves both security guards and airport technology. Screening protocol, CCTV systems, and security bollards are staples of any functioning airport. Airport security guards work from dawn ‘til dusk screening passengers, escorting workers, and watching for threats.
Now is the best time to boost your security measures. Contact us today for consultation on security, protection, and traffic management.