The Blog @ Homeland Security

A press release from the Department of Homeland Security:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)... launched The Blog @ Homeland Security, a new addition to the Department’s web presence designed to increase transparency and facilitate the dialogue between DHS and the American public.

“The Blog reflects our ongoing commitment to communicate directly with the American people about the Department’s efforts across the country and around the world,” said DHS Secretary Napolitano.

The Blog will include frequent updates on the Department’s activities, including breaking news, public events and new initiatives.

The inaugural post, found at http://www.dhs.gov/theblog, features a video message from Secretary Napolitano outlining the Department’s five overarching responsibilities and an invitation for visitors to comment on and provide suggestions for The Blog.

Australian airport security

A new website is available with valuable airport security information for air travelers. From eTravel Blackboard:

The Department of Infrastructure launched TravelSECURE, a new web site which educates domestic and international travellers about the security measures in place at Australian airports.

TravelSecure provides information about liquid, aerosol and gel restrictions, prohibited items, and travelers with special needs. You'll also find a list of airports where checked baggage screening takes place, and a section with information for travel agents.

Whole Body Imaging Technology That Protects Privacy

The use of whole body imaging at airport security checkpoints has been somewhat controversial. Some feel the images of your body without clothes is an invasion of privacy. Sean Martin sent in the following, which looks at an alternative:

www.elmatadorfilms.com/Millivision0606.wmv

This video will take about a minute and a half to watch; it shows & tells the whole story!

In light of the passage of a bill last Thursday by Congress, I wanted to bring Millivision to your attention. Millivision, a Massachusetts based company, offers a less invasive alternative “whole-body imaging” technology to that which is currently being used in several airports, and is at the heart of this legislation as well as a national petition drive spurred by outrage from civil liberties advocates.

The bill bans the types of whole body imaging tools currently being used at airports as a primary screening tool. It equates these methods of whole body imaging to a visual strip search. The controversial screening devices, among them - active millimeter wave imagers, display images that show explicit anatomical details of you and your children’s bodies. Millivision provides a safe, private, cost effective solution to global terrorism, detecting items not found by conventional metal detection –EG: plastic and ceramic weapons or explosives, and liquids.

Millivision’s Automatic Threat Detection (ATD) and video imaging software turns the millimeter wave image into a video image so that the screenersees you CLOTHED and the presence and location of concealed threats are highlighted in red. Millivision technology uses a passivemillimeter wave technology – passive technology does NOT USE ANY RADIATION. This safer and more private technology is also more cost-effective in that in requires less man power and screeners than other technology. Below please find two articles related to Thursday’s vote, we are also including a video of how this technology works.

The Millivision imager can be used effectively in facilities such as airports, courthouses, federal buildings, jails - to keep officers and other prisoners safe, and in operations centers for critical infrastructure and utilities and is currently being used in Boston’s MBTA transit police prisoner lock-up at the command center for a large utility company, and a pilot will begin at a federal building in Washington D.C. in the coming weeks.

Security coming to general aviation

AINonline reports in TSA Airport Security Badging 12 Days Away that starting June 1, 2009 new airport badging requirements go into effect.

This requirement expands the airport identification process to include private aircraft owners, GA maintenance providers, FBO employees, flight instructors, flight school students and other airport tenants needing unescorted access to the airport operations area (AOA).

There are those who debate the method used by the TSA to implement this rule, and it only applies at airports that also serve commercial air carriers.  In a mixed GA/commercial setting, I guess it makes sense that all who use the facility are similarly credentialed. Otherwise it seems like a pretty big security hole.

Percolating is the broader issue of the effectiveness of "airline style" security at general aviation airports, something the TSA is looking to do. Requiring private pilots to screen their passengers the way airlines do is not viewed favorably by the GA community.

New passport requirement June 1, 2009

The rules for acceptable identification for entry (or re-entry) into the United States changes June 1, 2009.

Beginning June 1, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda by land or sea will be required to have a passport, passport card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pertaining to specific populations and situations.

The RFID-enabled U.S. Passport Card is intended for citizens who live along the border and cross frequently. It is not valid for air travel.  Young children must also have appropriate identification, so parents are advised to understand the requirements.

Source: The Huntsville Times, Passport rules will change on June 1.

Better security for Canada's airports

Last year, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police report said organized crime groups were operating at Canadian airports and moving drugs and guns through them. (See Organized Crime Groups Breach Airport Security In Canada in the Friends of Ours blog.)

In response, the RCMP and Transport Canada have agreed to do something about it.  According to the Edmonton Sun in New plan inked to beef up airport security:

The two agencies signed [an] agreement last week to bolster information-sharing and see expanded background checks for workers with access to secure areas at major airports.

It seems that part of the problem has been the ability of criminals to secure jobs at the airports, giving them inside access.  Hopefully this measure will have an effect and reduce criminal activity at Canadian airports.

Then again, maybe organized crime is better suited than anyone else to keep terrorists out of the airports.

Naw, probably a bad idea.

GE offers fast screening and explosives detection

easyBOURSE reports in GE Unveils High-Speed Baggage-Screening System For Airports the development of a baggage screening machine that operates at twice the speed of other systems. Not only that, but this device also detects explosives.

GE... said the system uses three-dimensional imaging technology initially developed for the health-care industry. Computer software then analyzes the high-definition images for density, mass and other factors that could denote concealed explosives.

This thing can scan up to 1,000 bage per hour and will cost more than existing machines, which list for about $1.2 million.  The TSA is currently negotiating with GE for a five-year, sole source contract valued at about $330 million.