Boggie Dog

A news report on the DFW area NBC station reveals that lost DISA badges continue to be an ongoing problem.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations...304485391.html

Particulary disturbing is TSA's effort to hide this information from the public by calling this problem Security Sensitive.

I agree that lost or missing SIDA badges presents a security concern. But that concern is that TSA is once again not in control of airport security.

FliesWay2Much

A while back, I found one from DCA on the ground while running on the bike path along the George Washington Parkway. I ran with it over to DCA and tried to give it to the airport cops. He eventually took it from me but the whole thing was a major inconvenience for him.

Section 107

Again, this is being overblown and not presented in meaningful context. (see earlier thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/pract...rport-ids.html)

The more important questions are:
- how many badges were missing that they didn't know were missing?
- were any/how many missing badges used in attempts to enter the SIDA?
- how many people with SIDA access have been disciplined for badge problems (and what is the trend)?

I am not arguing its not a problem - just that it is not as important a problem as those fine advertising folks from that NBC affiliate would like to terrorize you into thinking it is.

Also, airport operators are responsible for the security of the SIDA - not the TSA or FAA or some of the other entities who issue regulations, rules, and policies relevant to airport security.

Boggie Dog

Some of us think it is important that SIDA badges can go missing for weeks or months and not be reported lost/missing. Seems some members of Congress thinks it important too.

Part of an answer to one of your questions is this:

My first question is how does an employee with a lost SIDA badge get into the secure area of the airports?

TSA is overall reposnsible.

TSA may not be issuing SIDA badges but they do approve the airports security plan and are responsible for the overall security posture of the airport.

Server

At first I thought this would be an overblown story by the media, but considering the badges were not reported for weeks or even months undermines the whole point of the badge system technology being put in place. To be able to control access and revoke badges if lost/stolen.

gsoltso

One problem getting any information on this is the SSI/PII regs that only allow certain info to be distributed. Anything with PII attached to it, that is not associated with a crime can't be released due to privacy regs/laws/policies. The numbers should be somewhat easier, but no entity responsible for this type of operation wants to publicize how many badges they are not necessarily in control of. There is also the factor that some of the badges are not reported until a later (in some cases, much later) date - eliminating the ability of the company to effectively address the issue. IMHO, if the individual does not suck it up and report a missing badge immediately, then their access should be revoked, immediately, and further steps should be taken in the terms of punitive action. Some of the items are simply record keeping errors as well, so there is a whole series of challenges that have an impact on the way this system works.

Boggie Dog

If a person has lost their SIDA credential how are they able to access the secure areas of their workplace?

I think TSA's excessive secrecy is done to hide its object failure in security matters from the public and represents a security concern in its own right.

Boggie Dog

This story made it to Fox News this evening (5/26). Apparently it's a lot bigger than just unreported missing SIDA badges across the country but the failure of TSA to implement proper controls to audit this program as required which again demonstrates the incompetecy of the agency.

gsoltso

I have no answer for that. Here and at LAX and even at PHX, the secured areas I went into were on camera, required a badge and bio/code entry for access. I have no idea how one would gain said access without seeing the actual area in question.

Boggie Dog

I didn't really expect you to have an answer and it seems neither does TSA HQ and that is a problem, a big problem.

The answer to the question, to me, are that there are only two likely probabilities.

The employee no longer reports to work

or

The employee is gaining access without complying with the stated security standards.

There are issues with either possibility.

What is amazing is that looking at almost any area of TSA program management TSA fails in its oversight responsibilities yet the public is still being forced to fund TSA's $8,000,000,000.00 dollar annual budget.

FliesWay2Much

Simple: piggybacking. Happens all the time.

Section 107

yet the public is still being forced to fund TSA's $8,000,000.00 dollar annual budget.[/QUOTE]

all in all they do a remarkably good job with only eight million dollars....

Boggie Dog

all in all they do a remarkably good job with only eight million dollars.... [/QUOTE]

Ok, ya got me. Little slip of the zeds.

gsoltso

Both of the situations you indicate above are possible. No system is 100% effective, and TSA is not currently mandated with 100% screening of all employees and all access doors/gates. Most airports have local plans that provide for that access control - although there is currently some pending legislation (I think it is still pending, I have not seen anything on it ove rthe last few days) to make TSA screen all employees and access areas. I do not foresee that passing in the current climate, because it would require at the very least a pretty serious reallocation of resources and equipment coupled with the complete revamp of how employees access their work areas. Larger airports would have to setup checkpoints at access gates at several different locations (such as the access gates for the food trucks/fuel trucks/delivery trucks, etc. It would also require any of the folks working on the airside whether they are maintenance/admin/engineering even military). It would be a fairly large undertaking even though it sounds fairly simple on the face of it.

Entirely possible, although illegal/against regulations.

Wow, we suffered larger than expected budget cuts this year?

all in all they do a remarkably good job with only eight million dollars.... [/QUOTE]

Hah!

Boggie Dog

Doesn't TSA create the regs on who, how, and what is screened? If TSA wanted to screen airport workers all need be done is write a new regulation.

Piggybacking may be illegal so I guess that should not be a concern as nothing illegal ever happens in airports.

If TSA's budget was only $8 million annually that would still be $8 million dollars to much.