Combating Insider Threats in the Aviation Industry
Richard L. Duncan, CPP, IAP Assistant General Manager, Public Safety and Security
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Agenda • Overview • Responsibilities • Definition • Major Threats • Notable U.S. Incidents • Mitigations • Closing Comments
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Overview
101.4 million Total Passengers in 2015
63,000 Employees
6.8 m-sq-ft Terminal Complex 3,700-Acre Campus
Employee Direct Access Points
Airport Operators’ Responsibilities Providing for the safety and security of person and property on an aircraft operating in the air transportation system against an act of: • criminal violence • aircraft piracy • introduction of an unauthorized weapon, explosive or
incendiary device onto an aircraft. (TSR 1542.101)
What is “Insider Threat” An insider threat is a malicious threat to an organization that comes from people within the organization such as employees, former employees, contractors or business associates who have inside information concerning the organization's security practices, data and computer systems.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Major Insider Threats to Aviation • Failing to Comply with Policies, Procedures or
Regulations • Committing Theft of Goods or Services • Committing Acts of Violence • Committing Acts of Smuggling • Committing Acts of Sabotage • Committing Acts of Hijacking • Allowing Others to Commit Criminal or Terrorist Acts
against Airport, Airlines or Others Entities
Notable U.S. Incidents
• 1999: Workers Smuggled Weapons, Drugs and Other Contraband on board Aircraft
• 2007: Workers Smuggled Weapons and Drugs on board Aircraft
• 2014: Current and Former Employees Smuggled Weapons through U.S. Airports
Miami – 1999
“Miami began screening all employees through checkpoints after a 1999 drug smuggling plot in which dozens
of ramp and food workers were arrested.”
“…Miami, which has 30,500 workers with access to cargo and ramp areas, began its screening in 1999…”
“Miami began physically screening its workers every day in 1999, after a rash of thefts and concerns about smuggling.”
Orlando – 2007 Summary “… baggage handlers used their uniforms and identification cards to enter restricted areas and avoid security screeners.”
“Orlando International Airport officials unanimously approved $7 million in security plans that will be used to screen
all employees with access to secure areas.”
“…16,000 employees are being checked whenever they enter a secure area...in response to arrests of airline workers accused of smuggling guns aboard a commercial airliner."
Atlanta – 2014 Summary “… Six people have been arrested as part of a ring smuggling guns and ammunition on planes from Atlanta to New York, in an investigation that revealed a "devastating breach of security,"
“A gun-smuggling ring that brought illegal firearms into Brooklyn via commercial airline flights was dismantled...at least some of those guns were ferried in carry-on bags on flights from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport..."
“… a man carrying a backpack containing 16 firearms with ammunition flew aboard a Delta Air Lines passenger jet to Kennedy International Airport in New York from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta.”
Insider Threat Mitigations Risk-Based Security Measures
• Intelligence and Information
Sharing Program • Employee Vetting • Security Awareness Training • Identity Management System • Access Control • Surveillance System • Compliance and Enforcement
Actions • Random or Full Inspections • Random or Full Employee
Screening
Combating Insider Threats in the Aviation Industry
Richard L. Duncan, CPP, IAP Assistant General Manager, Public Safety and Security
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport