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SECURITY 44 airportbusiness May 2017 and other sources of capital to obtain the best return on investment, said Gilliam. "I will again point to our Full Employee Screening program as the biggest bang for our buck, but we also have invested considerably in technology, some of which was supported by federal funds." One of the biggest challenges we face in bal- ancing the need for safety and ensuring a good passenger experience is by far convenience and efficiency, said Pedregon. "LAX has seen a con- sistent increase in the number of travelers and vehicles that pass through our airport annually," he said. As the passenger and cargo numbers increase we are tasked with finding new ways to increase and enhance security without com- promising our guest experience." It's always a balancing act, said Gilliam. "We try to go above and beyond in providing what we call the `Orlando Experience' that elevates our customer's experience at the air- port to the extent that the safety and security measures seem minimized and less intrusive or cumbersome in their overall experience," he said. LAX is using technology, during critical incidents, to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public by providing real-time communication and information through the use of electronic messaging boards, the Nixle subscription messaging service and a wireless emergency notification system that has the ability to ping all smartphones in a specified area with a message, said Pedregon. TECHNOLOGY PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN SECURITY AIRPORT security has changed dramatically since the inception of the TSA program, said Roman. "This includes integration with local and federal law enforcement authorities improvements in technology, training, integrated enhanced and diverse security initiatives and technological physical security measures within the airport operations area," he said. Airport security encompasses multijurisdictional authorities, said Roman, including: f TSA, which is responsible for airline passen- ger screening and security f Municipal, state and airport police author- ities, who provide armed security and surveillance of terminal, baggage, cargo, air operations areas and supporting infra- structure such as aircraft fuel farms, avi- ation communication arrays and and vul- nerable aircraft navigation ground base equipment areas f The FBI, whose responsibilities include investigation of violations of federal aviation law related to criminal offenses, including security breaches f U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, whose primary responsibility includes ensuring that the export and import of goods, and equipment, along with passengers, and crew entry and exit to/from the United States and its territories, are all compliant with federal law as it relates to their area of jurisdiction Within TSA alone, there are numerous security initiatives that are not commonly known or always readily recognized, said Roman. "Many of these were implemented throughout the timeline after the TSA program initiation through the current date," he said. TSA uses Behavior Detection Officers, who are trained to look for behavior that may represent deception, uncharacteristic nervousness or fear when approaching or during the screening process, as opposed to normal passenger reactions ranging from acceptance, annoyance or normal parameter anxiety, said Roman. TSA currently employs approximately 1000 aviation inspectors and 450 Transportation Security cargo inspec- tors, said Roman. "Their goal Is to inspect and investigate the passenger and cargo trans- portation network for protocol compliance and security," he said. There are also Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams, specialized highly trained armed and unarmed teams, said Roman. "They include but are not limited to Federal Air Marshals under the management and control of TSA," he said. "Although their responsibilities include non-airport transportation, they are highly visible law enforcement and action teams throughout airport operations areas includ- ing the terminals, cargo, air operations side and supporting critical infrastructure." TSA has enacted enhanced screening procedures, which includes enhanced interview techniques and enhanced or more aggressive pat-downs, said Roman. "This program has been met with significant controversy in that it permitted the same sex physical pat down inspections of the groin and breast areas. Enacted in 2010, it has undergone refinement and modification." At select international airports, various electronic perimeter security devices, smart technology surveillance systems, explosives detection sys- tems and more are deployed at the perimeter fence that protects air side ground operations area and the runways, said Roman. "Internal fences and counterterror of vehicle barriers have been placed at select international air- ports protecting vital aviation infrastructure such as two-way aircraft to ground communi- cations arrays and aircraft navigation arrays." Passenger luggage and cargo inspections have been increasingly made more robust, using advanced imaging and bomb detection equip- ment, said Roam. "Perimeter inspections of all vehicles and trucks entering the cargo area is also performed by both TSA personnel and pri- vate contractors supervised by TSA," he said. "This is augmented by Customs and Border Patrol Law Enforcement Agents." Joint local law enforcement and FBI Counterterrorism Task Forces often exist at the largest and bus- iest international airports, said Roman. "They are responsible for reviewing the latest intelli- gence, threats, conducting investigations, and disseminating this information to appropriate security personnel on an as needed basis," he said. "They work hand-in-hand with TSA and other security personnel at major airports." Anthony Roman is a pilot and the found- er and CEO of security consultancy Roman & Associates.