United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2001-09-20 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:GAO-01-1162T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-1162T P0b002ee180377ecb f:d011162t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-1162T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-1162T GAO-01-1162T Air traffic control systems Airports Facility security Internal controls Law enforcement personnel Safety standards Transportation safety Computer security FAA Air Traffic Control System Testimony A01944 A safe and secure civil aviation system is a critical component of the nation's overall security, physical infrastructure, and economic foundation. Billions of dollars and myriad programs and policies have been devoted to achieving such a system. Although it is not fully known at this time what actually occurred or what all the weaknesses in the nation's aviation security apparatus are that contributed to the horrendous events on September 11, 2001, it is clear that serious weaknesses exist in our aviation security system and that their impact can be far more devastating than previously imagined. As reported last year, GAO's review of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of air traffic control (ATC) computer systems showed that FAA had not followed some critical aspects of its own security requirements. Specifically, FAA had not ensured that ATC buildings and facilities were secure, that the systems themselves were protected, and that the contractors who access these systems had undergone background checks. Controls for limiting access to secure areas, including aircraft, have not always worked as intended. GAO's special agents used fictitious law enforcement badges and credentials to gain access to secure areas, bypass security checkpoints at two airports, and walk unescorted to aircraft departure gates. Tests of screeners revealed significant weaknesses as measured in their ability to detect threat objects located on passengers or contained in their carry-on luggage. Screening operations in Belgium, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom--countries whose systems GAO has examined--differ from this country's in some significant ways. Their screening operations require more extensive qualifications and training for screeners, include higher pay and better benefits, and often include different screening techniques, such as "pat-downs" of some passengers. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-1162T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-1162T.htm GAO-01-1162T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-1162T Testimony GAO-01-1162T; Aviation Security: Terrorist Acts Demonstrate Urgent Need to Improve Security at the Nation's Airports; Air traffic control systems Airports Facility security Internal controls Law enforcement personnel Safety standards Transportation safety Computer security FAA Air Traffic Control System