The FAA held a safety summit in Washington last week and while the meeting’s focus was on operational safety, one can easily draw a parallel line to physical safety. "As a safety professional, if you are comfortable, it probably means you’re missing something," acting FAA administrator Billy Nolen stated. "There’s no question that aviation is amazingly safe, but vigilance can never take a day off."
Strengthening aviation security in the areas of anti-terrorism, physical security, and asset protection is critical in keeping the traveling public safe as we continue to face evolving threats. Increasing security protocols at the perimeter of the airport, around aircraft and in passenger areas is key to the fortification of vulnerabilities, during which the implementation of processes and procedures must be realized to resolve any identified deficiencies.
It is important to implement proactive physical security measures to improve deterrence, detection, and the delay of malicious behaviors, while improving response and recovery capabilities before disaster strikes as opposed to reacting to one.
Knightscope firmly believes that it can assist in hardening America’s airport properties, especially since current standards to support mitigation through security technology generally focus on communications, detection, and surveillance – all areas in which Knightscope excels. And much of the technology used to mitigate risks is distributed to a central control center to provide better situational awareness to appropriate law enforcement and/or security personnel.
Let’s face it, passengers want a stress and worry-free traveling experience and the manner in which that is provide begins long before the TSA checkpoint. An effective airport security program starts at the roadway leading onto airport property and extends all the way to takeoff, with multiple complementary layers combined to create a single, comprehensive screening process.
Provide a consistent physical presence in all parking lots and parking structures with multiple Knightscope K5 Outdoor Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) like those patrolling a major airport parking facility in California. Place emphasis on the graphics designed for the ASR itself and hang signage throughout the deployment to convey the appropriate authority. Help deter negative behavior by consistent utilization of the ASR’s patrol lights, strobe, patrol sounds, and randomized broadcast announcements. Strategically place K1 Blue Light Towers or K1 Blue Light Emergency Phones throughout parking lots and structures to summon assistance when needed, whether a crisis or just trying to locate a vehicle.
Capture BOLOs (Be-on-the-Lookout) with a K1 Tower or Hemisphere ASR at each ingress/egress point for people, license plates and mobile device signals on your user-generated watch list. Inform visitors that the area is being monitored with clear signage throughout the area. Make appropriate welcome and departure greetings on a schedule and announce the time of day each hour.
Expand the visibility further with a roaming indoor K3 ASR that provides eye-level video and broadcast announcements that remind passengers of TSA procedures. The intercom feature may also be utilized to address specific travelers.
Your team is already exhausted from running the operations at the airport with way too many alerts, escalations, and ongoing investigations. Why not upgrade to Knightscope+ and allow us to take some of the workload off your shoulders? We can do the remote monitoring on your behalf and escalate issues according to the agreed upon post orders.
These recommendations are not solely for large, commercial airports either. They can equally be applied, though on a smaller scale, to the nearly 5,000 general aviation airports available for public use. If you would like to learn more, take a few moments to visit with one of our experts and discover how we can help you elevate your security posture by booking a meeting today.
