TSA Chief: Resisting Scanners Just Means Delays

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Transportation Security Administration (TSA) chief John Pistole is calling on holiday travelers not to participate in National Opt-Out Day, a protest against the full-body scanners that have raised privacy concerns because they produce detailed images of airline passengers’ naked bodies. The organizers of the protest are calling on airline passengers to opt out of being scanned on Wednesday and instead submit to a more time consuming pat down search, in the hopes that forcing TSA agents to conduct a large number of pat downs will create significant delays. Pistole has acknowledged that the protest has the potential to snarl airline travel on what is the busiest travel day of the year, which in turn would only hurt those “who want to go home and see their loved ones.” So far there is little if any indication that passengers are protesting against the scanners by choosing to be patted down by TSA agents. However, Paul Ruden a spokesman for the American Society of Travel Agents, said just one or two airline passengers protesting the scanners would be enough to cause “huge” delays.

By :  Armour National Security Group, LLC

Airport Check-In: Registered Traveler Program Clear is Back

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Some travelers will now be able to skip to the front of the line at security checkpoints at Orlando International Airport. In order to do that, travelers will have to sign up for Clear, a service which screens travelers before they arrive at the airport. When travelers sign up for the program, they pay a $179 fee and submit their fingerprints and iris scan. This information is then stored in Clear’s machines in airports in order to verify the identity of travelers. The service was operated for several years by Verified Identity Pass, though the company eventually declared bankruptcy and ceased operations. Travelers who had valid Clear memberships when Verified Identity Pass folded will be able to use the service for the remaining terms of their memberships.

Operation Nexus

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The New York City Police Department’s Operation Nexus is a nationwide network of   businesses and enterprises joined in an effort to prevent another terrorist attack against our citizens. Our detectives have conducted over 25,000 visits to firms that have joined us in this mutual effort. Members of Operation Nexus are committed to reporting suspicious business encounters that they believe may have possible links to terrorism.

The NYPD believes terrorists may portray themselves as legitimate customers in order to purchase or lease certain materials or equipment, or to undergo certain formalized training to acquire important skills or licenses. There is also a concern that these individuals may simply steal certain types of vehicles, equipment or materials from the inventory of legitimate businesses. Whatever the method, once appropriated these items could then be used to facilitate a terrorist plot.

Through Operation Nexus, the NYPD actively encourages business owners, operators and their employees to apply their particular business and industry knowledge and experience against each customer transaction or encounter to discern anything unusual or suspicious and to report such instances to authorities.

If you agree to join the Operation Nexus network, one of our detectives will explain why certain types of businesses may be attractive to a terrorist operative and provide a list of indicators – specifically tailored to that business — to use as a reference. Once visited, these businesses receive a framed certificate and become participants in the NYPD “Operation Nexus Network” to serve as a first alert mechanism to help protect New York City against the threat of another terror attack. It is important to note that participation in this network is not limited to New York City businesses.

Terrorist attacks do not occur in a vacuum. They require planning and preparation, such as the acquisition of certain materials or training in targeted activities. Terrorist operatives will try to obtain these in the private sector, from businesses both inside and outside of New York City’s geographic boundaries. Moreover, their approach to a business will vary, from entering a store and standing directly in front of a customer-service counter to making an electronic purchase over the Internet at a company’s website.

Executive Protection: The Private-Sector Model Is Broken

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Chief executives often face unique threats that are not faced by company presidents, requiring a different approach to security. Private-sector leaders may be targeted for a variety of reasons, including their wealth and community presence, and business controversies — for instance, companies that perform product testing on animals, make pharmaceuticals, or drill for oil can attract threats. Many executive protection agencies neglect to consider job-specific security requirements, and whether their employees are adequately qualified for the job. J. Goin, CEO of Armour Security, argues in this column that the model for executive protection in the private sector is broken, and that the security industry has failed to offer up real solutions for executives and their families. He says that executive protection must be approached from the ground up. Examine the legitimate risks to the executive and his or her family: Where do they live? How can vulnerable situations be avoided? Is there a pattern or threatening behavior? “This is a wakeup call for the industry — to both private sector providers and corporate security providers — the service offering is predicated on a model that doesn’t apply to them,” says Goin. “Executives don’t live in the ‘presidential’ market place. As security professionals, we need to find the best intersection between conveniences and effective security.”