Report on Aviation Security Threats in Australia
Question
Task: Students are required to submit a formal written assessment of no more than a 1500 words but not less than 1400 words on “Aviation Security & Risk Mitigation Strategies Students are to individually reflect and research on current ( the last 10 years) “Aviation Security Threats” in Australia and what risk management mitigation strategies are in place to reduce the threat or threats you have researched.
Students are to be mindful that when selecting and researching their topic that it is relevant to current trends in Australia
Answer
Introduction
"9/11"attacks were a major turning point for the entire aviation security in the world. It affected multiple countries with respect to their aviation safety guidelines and procedures including that of Australia. Australian residents and facilities were viewed as high-risk targets post-9/11 era due to the country's close ties and ties with the US. In the context of security of aviation, terrorism has been considered to be the primary security threat to the Aviation sector (Kirchofer, 2015). The threats affiliated with aviation typically create fear in passengers and, in the end the negative consequences or negative consequences for an aviation business. This leads to a decrease on the amount of people who use aircrafts as a means of transportation. Additionally, the possibility of cargo transport is diminished.
Threats & Risks
The threats currently threatening aviation only within Australia are not easy to determine since they should be private and have a limited accessibility. The vast amount of research accessible from ICAO or also known as the International Civil Aviation Organization as well as the famous IATA or also known as the International Air Transport Association suggest that present security issues to civil aviation will take these forms:
• Drones attack
• Insider dangers
• Cyber-security incidents (Klenka, 2021)
• Missile attacks
• Laser-light based attacks
• Suicide bomber
• Explosive devices
• Aircraft hijack
• Chemical attacks
• Lone wolf
Security incidents over the last 10 years.
Australia is quite a close ally of United States and has been for a while on high alert for threats by local militants who are returning from battles with the Middle East, since the year 2014. Not only the passengers pose a security threat. This is because, Australian Crime Commission (ACC) has classified the aviation sector as a potential crime route and observed that criminals be able to penetrate the aviation industry to take advantage of weaknesses. This is known as the "trusted insider" threat, whereby an individual or a group associated with aviation can help or carry out aiding a terrorist or criminal act. The threat has only grown due to the increase in radicalisation in Australia. Authorities say they've stopped numerous attacks since then , but there have been a number of "lone wolf" assaults, such as a cafe-related attack in Sydney which left two people hostage and the shooter dead. In addition the attempt to launch an explosioncausing hardware, and eventually take down the given airliner was spoiled by the relevant authorities in the city of Sydney in the year 2017 (Du Cann, 2018). It was not until an Etihad based check-in agent determined to measure Amer Khayat's bag in her carry-on, only then the assailantsmotive was thwarted and the bombs taken out of the cargo (Rubinsztein-Dunlop and Dreadge, 2018). Then, in the following year websites of an Australian company that is responsible for security checks and issue Aviation Security Identity Cards has been compromised. The breach took place on the web site for Aviation ID Australia, a firm that offers Aviation Security Identity Cards (ASIC) to airports across regional Australia. The most recent security incident in Aviation sector of Australia occurred in Melbourne on 9th Nov, 2018, by a marginalised person that was an undercover agent of ISIS.
Threats and their mitigation
The threat of lone wolf types of attacks typically have a the use of high-level violence, similar to the style of copycat attacks, whether it's vehicular murder, knife attack or explosive devices which are employed with the land-side of airport's operations (OktayHuseynova, 2021). The threat is further heightened if the perpetrator happens to be an insider with a thorough understanding regarding airport procedures. The biggest threat to airport security could come from an educated person who could commit suicide, whether through self-inflicted or facilitated by security personnel. The narrative of the incidents and issues concerning Australia's security in aviation revealed a number of flaws in the planning and implementation process which have left critical passengers as well as airline infrastructure be vulnerable to a variety of threats such as terrorist attacks. A series of reports did not adequately determine the danger or recommended changes that had not been implemented , or that appeared to be ineffective when implemented (Schreckengast& Drury, 2015). The possibility of individuals that have been associated with foreign terrorist fighter networks pose a very real security and peace threat. The adversaries aren't bound by boundaries, and are technologically aware and proficient in the use of web and other social networks. To ensure the sustainability of efficient and effective security measures for aviation requires collaboration and coordination across all levels industry, government and all of the aviation security stakeholders.
Transport infrastructures and airports will remain the targets of mass causality attacks in the context of this global media coverage thereby fulfilling the goals of terrorist organizations (Ho-won, 2018). Also, Australian authorities has improved its security since car attacks by blocking access to terminals at all airports. In order to reduce the risk, airports have placed barrier (bollards as well as planters) and altering the flow of traffic, decreasing building distance, and changes towards the density of the population. This can reduce the risk of the number of victims and further damages to buildings which could cause structural damage during a vehicle or truck explosive attack. A greater presence of armed police is seen in major airports across Australia which provides a degree of security against attacks within the areas that border airports on the land (Ho-won, 2018).
The drones used for professional or recreational purposes are becoming more sophisticated, smaller and more user-friendly thereby becoming yet another threat to the public. They are able to not just cause physical harm to aircrafts, but also cause damage to the aircraft itself such as drones laden with high-damage explosives. If the drones happen to collide with the aircraft on the move can cause damage to the aircraft control systems, creating an emergency (Kofanov&Kofanova, 2019). The most crucial phase of aircraft is landing and right then the attack could result in loss of the aircraft. Unauthorized drone flights may create economic problems for the aviation industry. Gatwick airport in London Airportat Gatwick was closed due to an unauthorised drone flying over a period of 36 hours that disrupted 120,000 passengers (Williams, 2021).
The prevention of drone-related threats demands an education for the public about drone flight regulations in or near to the airport's precinct. The creation of an official drone Hotline to report suspicious flights close to airports could help in detecting suspicious flights and then intervention. Electronic countermeasures should also be put in place within the airport's surrounding areas and able to deactivate drones. The latest Commonwealth games in the Gold Coast witnessed the Queensland Police having to deploy the Drone Gun. This particular drone gun works by impeding drones from further traversing by emitting a large volume of electromagnetic waves that confuses and overwhelms the drone, thereby destroying the connection among the pilot and the drone. In the last instance, firing down drones while it is possible could expose persons and property to the risk of collateral injury.
A significant danger to air travel is lasers that are directed towards aircrafts in or in the nearby precinct. Laser pointers has the potential to distract aircraft crew members and cause damage to their eyes which causes blinding temporary, making the crew members incapacitated during critical points of the flight. This is akin to drones, laser pointers are now less expensive to produce and are becoming stronger and more readily accessible. Strategies to prevent such events should originate from government officials. The protection of laser-generated event is a reactionary one, and thereafter the Boeing group suggests eyewear that block the green spectrum light. They also recommend the application of standard operational procedures to limit the effects of lasers. They also suggest to look away from the light source if the incident occurs and readily transfer control of the aircraft to another pilots if they are not affected by the laser. Furthermore, the suggestions include to increase the intensity of lightning in the cockpit and use of Autoland abilities to ensure a complete landing (Williams, 2021).
The threat of insiders is a reality within civil aviation, particularly through the personnel who's capabilities, skills and access to secure areas gives them an advantage in making plans, preparing, and carrying out illegal interference. The particular security vulnerabilities of the aviation industry that involve the involvement of insiders to circumvent security controls needs to be considered in risks assessments as well as mitigation measures. Insider threats is not to be treated as a distinct threat when compared to external threats but rather as a component of every particular type of threat. This should result in a risk assessment that includes both security requirements for personnel as well as physical measures to protect. They should incorporate physical checks, background checks as well as awareness and training reporting procedures and reporting mechanisms, in order to establish an integrated security system that includes complementing measures that allow for the weaknesses of each measure and prevent one-off failures.
The resources available are to be managed in a judicious way, in a proportional and effective manner to ensure that every subsystem of the Airline ecosystem has sufficient resources. It's hard to narrow the focus to a single subsystem or section that requires the greatest attention when it comes to security measures. However, there are certain areas where airports must focus their immediate focus, resources and efforts on, including increasing their awareness of risk and response time; creation of a security culture and human capabilities and the enhancement of their technological resources and innovations as well as the enhancement of quality assurance and oversight as well as the development of collaboration with and cooperation from the various parties all with the common goal of increasing the security of aviation.
Conclusion
Australian aviation security professionals must actively engage with international committees and aviation groups like that of UNCTED and the United Nations Counter Terrorist Executive Directorate to ensure that security measures be up to date and in accordance with international best practice. Additionally, to ensure that complacency doesn't take hold, which could weaken security countermeasures. In order to ensure long-term sustainable security in aviation the security options that are in place should be able to sustain the appropriate amount of aviation security and be in a position to stand up to the ever-changing tactics, strategies and processes while also taking advantage of technological advances. The successful execution of measures to protect yourself will depend on the development of a robust and secure security culture within the airport setting, which can result in the hiring of employees all the way from the top management, to the rest of the employees.
References
Du Cann, G. (2018, December 17). Plane returns to Sydney Airport after claims there are explosives on board. The Sun; The Sun UK. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7998516/bomb-threat-grounds-plane-tiger-flight-melbourne-sydney-airport/
Ho-won, H. (2018). The Study on the Implementation of ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan Review and Propose the Implementation plans of Global Aviation Security Plan in Republic of Korea . Journal of the Aviation Management Society of Korea, 16(3), 73–92. https://doi.org/10.30529/amsok.2018.16.3.005
Kirchofer, C. (2015). International aviation and terrorism: evolving threats, evolving security. Defence Studies, 15(3), 294–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/14702436.2015.1078597
Klenka, M. (2021). Aviation cyber security: legal aspects of cyber threats. Journal of Transportation Security. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12198-021-00232-8 Kofanov, A., &Kofanova, O. (2019). AVIATION FLIGHTS SAFETY AS AN ELEMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY. Electronic Scientific Publication “Public Administration and National Security,”1. https://doi.org/10.25313/2617-572x-2019-1-4868
OktayHuseynova, G. (2021). AVIATION SECURITY IN EUROPEAN UNION. EUROPEAN AVIATION SAFETY AGENCY. SCIENTIFIC WORK, 65(04), 297–300. https://doi.org/10.36719/2663-4619/65/297-300 Rubinsztein-Dunlop, S., & Dredge, S. (2018, April 17). Alleged terrorists linked to Sydney plane bomb plot and IS cell captured in Iraq. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-18/alleged-sydney-bomb-leader-and-is-fighter-arrested-in-iraq/9668012
Schreckengast, S., & Drury, D. (2015). Regional Aviation Early Career Pilot Attributes Study. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace. https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2015.1049
Williams, C. (2021, September 8). Subscribe to The Australian | Newspaper home delivery, website, iPad, iPhone & Android apps. The Australian. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/airports-blind-to-alqaida-threat/news-story/be32e4a4509e9c6a73c19ec40b910b81
