Safe Passage Security Training Blog

Concealment is the act of hiding or preventing something from being known. It happens more often than we’d like, ranging from minor infractions to major threats to our security. The unknown variable of who may or may not try to sneak items passed the checkpoint constantly requires security personnel to be on guard.

Fortunately, personnel are trained to detect anomalies and pick up on various concealment methods used by these offenders. Let’s discuss concealment and some creative tactics observed in the industry that all checkpoint staff should be aware of.

Mailroom screening is an important part of keeping your critical infrastructure facility secure. As an essential part of the community, you cannot afford to have any disruptions to your day to day operations.

Whether you are a bank, correctional facility, school, or courthouse, your mailroom is responsible for processing incoming and outgoing mail. Ensuring operations around this are kept safe is imperative. With a proactive approach, you’ll be prepared to protect your facility, staff, and assets in case of an attack.

Today’s passenger and cabin baggage screening process is functional and airports manage to get by, but it is not sustainable in the long run given the industry’s predicted growth. The current screening model is inefficient and comes at the cost of many within the industry including airlines and passengers. For the past few years, several airports have shifted their attention to Smart Security solutions to handle the screening of passengers and their belongings.

Smart Security is a joint initiative of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI). Its goal is to streamline the passenger journey from curb to airside. The idea of Smart Security has been around for a few years now and the industry is just now able to implement these ideas into practical solutions without sacrificing safety and security.

Security checkpoints exist as a measure of precaution to protect certain areas, only allowing specified individuals and items through the threshold. We’ve all experienced these points of inspection at least once in our lives. Many people tend to think of an airport security checkpoint, but it may also include checkpoints at secure buildings, government facilities, courthouses, correctional facilities, etc.

We often expect a smooth transition through the checkpoint, but many of us know from experience that this is not always the case. There are many bottlenecks that can occur including blockages caused by the public, staff, and current process.

Suicide bombings can occur anywhere. When we hear about them, they typically occur in North African countries or the Middle East region. One of the latest attacks occurred in Kabul, Afghanistan on the morning of May 31 in the city’s diplomatic quarters, killing at least 90 people and injuring more than 400.

At times, they occur in Asian or Western regions such as the attack in Manchester, UK which occurred shortly after a concert concluded on May 22, killing 22 and injuring dozens. In another incident just two days later, a pair of suicide bombers killed three police officers outside a bus terminal in Jakarta, Indonesia.

No one can tell where and when a suicide bomber will strike. That’s why incidents like these are such a shock and difficult to cope with. It does not matter where in the world you are, it’s clear that the threat of the suicide bomber has grown greater and become more widespread.

For years terrorists have called on followers, affiliates, and sympathizers to use any means necessary to harm those who do not follow their ideals. For those who are unable to build their own bombs or acquire the necessary weapons to carry out attacks, the use of vehicles has been recommended to cause damage and harm people.

We’ve seen it time and time again. Terrorists and lone wolfs drive trucks, lorries, and other vehicles through large crowds, injuring and killing the defenseless. It’s an ugly terrorism tactic that has gained momentum in the past few years. Even in just the last few months, we’ve witnessed a handful of these vehicle attacks worldwide. Let’s look back at the most recent incidents and discuss this new terrorism trend of using vehicles as a weapon.

One of the primary weapons of choice for terrorists and lone wolf attackers has been the Improvised Explosive Device, or IED. These dangerous, homemade devices are typically constructed from common household items making them rather inexpensive to build. Nevertheless, IEDs can pack a powerful punch and have been known to cause an extraordinary amount of damage and loss of life.

Consequently, security checkpoint personnel must always be on high alert for the IED threat. If allowed to pass through a checkpoint, the device will certainly be used with malicious intent. At a fundamental core, security personnel must gain a basic understanding of improvised explosive devices and how they are constructed in order to recognize when one is presented before them.

By the end of 2016, over 3.7 billion passengers will travel this year. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), forecasts for 2035 will nearly double at 7.2 billion air passengers travelling in a single year.

The biggest driver of air travel demand is expected to be the Asia-Pacific region whereby more than half of aviation’s new passengers will come from over the next 20 years. A key concern for the aviation industry is that the region’s current infrastructure will not be able to keep pace with the forecasted passenger growth. In fact, some runways and airport terminals in the region are approaching capacity limits or already over capacity. Any plans for building new airport infrastructures must happen soon.

Whether you’ve realized it or not, X-ray security screeners exist everywhere. That’s because X-ray screening technology is present in so many industries. We can find X-ray screeners at airports, cargo facilities, courthouses, schools, correctional facilities, immigration agencies, special events, and more.

These X-ray operators work endlessly to protect the surrounding people and infrastructures from harm by inspecting belongings, packages, and goods flowing through. They are trained to detect contraband, weapons, explosive devices, and drugs. Every day, X-ray security screeners put themselves in potentially dangerous situations and risk their lives to protect us.

There are many threats that exist in our world. One of which is terrorism. Terrorism is the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political, social, or criminal gains. International terrorism and domestic terrorism both fall under this umbrella.

Recently though, it seems as if domestic terrorism has been on the rise. We hear more and more about homegrown terrorists causing devastation within their own nation. The threat is all too real and it’s happening right here in your own country.