Combatting Aviation Insider Threat with Security Convergence Technology

A Growing Vulnerability

Airports face a critical vulnerability in the form of insider threats. While the focus has traditionally been on countering external threats, insiders have posted major gaps in airport security. These individuals, often intelligent airport employees, have privileged access to critical infrastructure and possess valuable knowledge of an airport’s vulnerabilities. As airports invest millions in security measures against external threats, the need for a multi-faceted approach that addresses both internal and external dangers becomes increasingly evident.

The Truth Unveiled

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have invested significant time and effort in securing critical infrastructure and key resources, including airports. However, the evolving threat landscape demands innovative security measures. Recent studies conducted by DHS, the FBI and other agencies reveal that insiders are not only exploited by terrorists but are also perpetrating their own acts of sabotage. To effectively combat insider threat, airports must adopt dynamic risk management and cutting-edge technology that eliminates silos and manual processes.

Hidden Damages

Insider threats can cause extensive damage to critical physical, logical and security systems, eroding trust in airport security. In recent cases, insiders facilitated smuggling operations, engaged in terrorism-related activities and exploited security loopholes by manufacturing fake security badges. These incidents highlight the ease with which insiders can access sensitive areas, emphasizing the urgent need for resolution.

From Risk Management to Prevention

Airports often adopt a “manage risk” approach, reacting to threats rather than preventing them. This reactive stance disrupts airport operations and fails to provide comprehensive security. A proactive prevention approach that leverages technology and intelligence is crucial. By embracing automation and advanced tools, airports can refine their security approach and stay ahead of evolving insider threat behaviors.

Behavioral trends provide statistical information to monitor/manage:

Suspicious behavior: Multiple alerts by the same individual
Criminal activity: Use of revoked/destroyed cards
Security violations: Piggybacking and unauthorized escorting
Operational and procedural issues: Door and alarm malfunctions
Number of alerts over a daily/weekly/monthly period

How Limited Security Amplifies the Need for Automation

The greatest harm often stems from intelligent threat actors within an airport’s workforce. Traditional manual detection methods cannot effectively predict hidden criminal agendas. Limited approaches to preventing insider threats, such as credentialing and vetting processes, fall short. Automation, combined with continuous risk monitoring and comprehensive vetting, offers a more robust solution. By analyzing behavior across IT, physical and control systems, airports can detect and mitigate emerging threats and significantly reduce the probability of insider activities.

Resolving Pain Points

Airports face numerous challenges, but proven methodologies exist to address them effectively. Common pain points include managing multiple identities, document management and resolution of lost, stolen, or expired badges. Automation solutions can detect repeat badge swipe attempts, monitor behavior anomalies, and resolve discrepancies across physical and logical access control systems. By leveraging cyber-physical convergence technology, airports can bridge gaps, detect blended threats, and improve their ability to manage and respond to incidents.

What else can Airport Guardian do for you?

Monitor activity of badge holders on watch lists at all secured doors and vehicle gates
Monitor PACS duress, doors held, doors forced open and pull-station alarms at secured access doors and vehicle gates
Detect security badge attempts into Customs and Border Protection (CBP) secured areas
Tracking for badges that have not been used at access control points in a specified amount of time (i.e. 3 months)
Reporting of lack of access transactions at doors and vehicle gates to determine operability
Ensure continuous compliance with all TSA regulations, standards and processes

An Effective Response to Insider Threat and Incident Management

Detecting insider threats is challenging, and their impact is often realized only after the damage is done. Insider Threat protection software that monitors privileged user activity, correlates IT with physical access, and conducts frequent background checks is vital in preventing insider threats. Such software enables risk analysis before granting access, facilitates immediate removal of physical access upon termination and offers comprehensive incident management capabilities. Alert Enterprise Airport Guardian’s insider threat features provide these essential capabilities, empowering airports to proactively detect and mitigate insider threats.

With Airport Guardian you can:

Automate response and allow first responders to gain situational intelligence via integration of CCTV cameras, duress alarms and geo-spatial infrastructure maps
Automate activity and behavior monitoring across airport technology infrastructure
Enable airport security and operations to detect, deter and respond to insider threats through automated risk analysis, prevention and remediation
Prevention, detection and resolution of information leak and sabotage in real-time

Airport Guardian benefits:

Comprehensive and thorough prevention of insider threat
Ability to conduct risk analysis prior to provisioning access
Built-in risk management into processes
Active policy enforcement delivers true security
Reduction in time and cost for detecting and resolving risk

Find the perfect aviation solution for your organization here, or contact us to learn more.

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At Alert Enterprise, trust is at the center of everything we do. We bring people, processes, data and technology together in true security convergence.