Airports, Ports, And Borders: Resolving Security Threats

Transportation centers, on any given day, see millions of people — from employees to visitors, from contractors to emergency crews. It is, to put it mildly, complex to run such facilities. For one, you’ll be responsible for the safety and security of the people who work and come through the hub, and for another, you need to make sure it runs efficiently so that it serves its purpose.

Seaports, borders, and airports all facilitate international trade, and not just serve as transportation hubs for travelers. While these local and international facilities do serve as foundations for furthering the global economy, they may also become channels for illegal activities and importing weapons, chemicals, and other dangerous materials that not only create serious threats for the very people who go through these areas but also, for the global community.

 One only needs to look back to the devastation and ruin that 9/11 brought to the U.S. to recognize the importance of having and implementing an integrated security solution, whether it’s for an airport or a seaport. The good news is that aside from the enhanced knowledge about the weakest points in transportation hubs, there are now wide-ranging, advanced technologies to share relevant information and carry out better security. Ports, for one, can invest in screening and scanning hardware, explosive detection technologies, and use the most sophisticated video surveillance to detect criminal activity and potentially dangerous individuals.

Port security providers can offer up tailored solutions perfect for the kind of infrastructures that need them, whether it’s a seaport or an airport. This can begin by assessing the facility’s existing capabilities when it comes to detecting perimeter intrusions, with accessing controls, with running network security, and conducting video surveillance. Is the airport’s security system able to meet industry standards and capable of serving the volume of people and goods that pass through it? Is the marine port’s surveillance system still relevant to its new layout and operational needs? Are there serious weak points in security (borders are especially susceptible to multiple breaches)?

Beyond the advanced technologies, from hardware to software, the reliability and efficiency of airport and marine port security solutions are also affected by the training and experience of the responsible staff. Transportation centers need to be certain that the individuals tasked to access and supervise the facilities have the key knowledge and skills to identify potential threats. A surveillance system may only do so much; in the end, an international airport, a seaport in the Middle East, or a border between two regions will still need that unparalleled and professional instinct that only the best security personnel will possess.

 About the author: Bob Josward is an IT by profession and a part-time writer. He writes informative articles regarding the tech industry. He writes in behalf of restrata.com