Executive Summary

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Congress will likely pass needed legislation to boost security at U.S. airports. While weighing the merits of measures such as installing secure cockpit doors, expanding the air marshal program, and increasing the effectiveness of airport security personnel, Congress should also give serious consideration to significantly expanding the use of cutting-edge, advanced information technologies to help make our airports more secure. There are a host of technologies, such as biometric authentication, (for example, finger print or automatic facial recognition), radio-frequency tags (on baggage), and better luggage and passenger scanning technologies that are ready now to play key roles in enhancing security. Installing modern technology in airports sounds expensive, but it need not be. In most cases, particularly relating to passenger and personnel identification systems, the technology is already in use in commercial settings and can be deployed for a modest financial commitment. Given the other monetary, non-security benefits of technology, such investments make eminent sense.

It is too early to determine exactly how the hijackers were able to perpetrate their heinous crimes, but it is important to design a security system to thwart a wide array of threats and address a myriad of vulnerabilities. For example, even though the hijackers did not place bombs on the planes, there is still a need for a better system to match baggage to passengers on board. Likewise, we don't know if the terrorists were assisted by individuals posing as ground workers, but regardless, there is a need to be do a better job of controlling access to secure areas.

As the Progressive Policy Institute has asserted in prior reports, New Economy policy makers should turn to technology when trying to solve pressing issues. And the problem of airline security is no different: To be effective, airline security in the 21st century must employ technology of the 21st century.

Recommendations

Since September 11, at least four separate bills have been introduced in Congress to enhance airport security. Congress is expected to act as early as this week to pass legislation. Most bills address issues such as deploying sky marshals, federalizing airport security screening, reducing the number of carry-on bags, and the like. We are aware of only one bill, S. 1429, introduced by Senator John Edwards (D-NC), that addresses the issue of technology. For example, the legislation requires airports to strengthen access control points in secure areas, "by using biometric or similar technologies that identify individuals based on unique personal characteristics." The Edwards bill, which deals primarily with controlling access to secure areas, also calls on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to "deploy the most up-to-date technology that is available and certified for inspecting passengers, baggage, and cargo for chemical, biological, or similar substance(s)."

A new aviation security system for the 21st century must fully incorporate the latest technologies. And while installing modern technology in airports sounds expensive, in most cases it is not. As Congress and the administration consider new aviation security legislation, PPI believes that any new law should:

• require airports and airlines to adopt advanced security technologies, including passenger identification systems using smart cards and biometric authentication systems (e.g., systems that identify a person on the basis of a unique physical characteristic, such as their fingerprint or shape of their face);
• direct the FAA to evaluate the technical feasibility, costs, and benefits of upgrading airport scanning technology;
• provide funding for the deployment of these technologies by U.S. airports and U.S. airlines;
• provide funding to create a facial identification system in airports linked to databases of suspected terrorists and other wanted criminals. This requires updating and integrating law enforcement databases and ensuring that they include facial biometric information;
• require that any biometric or smart card applications being deployed with federal funding are compatible and inter-operable with a wide array of governmental and commercial areas, not just airlines and airports.

Conclusion

New technologies, including better scanning and biometric authentication and identification are not a panacea to airport security problems. However, correctly deployed, they can play a key role in enhancing airport security, along with working to minimize the added inconvenience that new security measures will involve. In drafting and passing an airline security bill, Congress needs to take seriously the promise of technology, and allocate sufficient funds to upgrade the nation's airports for the 21st century.

Blueprint Keywords: Extra Detection

Robert D. Atkinson is Vice President of the Progressive Policy Institute and Director of PPI's Technology & New Economy Project.