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Remarks by Jacques Duchesneau, C.M., President and CEO, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
Filter, Wall or Sieve: Finding the Right Security Panel
CAC/ACI-NA Management Conference
November 16, 2005
Check against delivery
The question today is "Filter, Wall or Sieve: Finding the Right Security Balance".
Some would have you believe that our system acts as a sieve. I stand here, firmly today- and can tell you that our system acts as a filter. Our screening officers, and our partners at the airport, work very hard to prevent the bad guys from boarding flights.
We are without a doubt more secure today than we were before 9/11. Is there more than can be done? The answer to that question is a resounding YES.
Today I would like to discuss how our system acts as a filter and then I would like to talk briefly about how we can improve the system. CATSA is not without its challenges, however the agency we have built is more than ready to forge ahead and tackle these challenges, as well as others that may come its way.
Allow me to explain.
We are a security organization and our fundamental challenge is to protect passengers through a layered security system, our goal is to ensure that threat items do not get on board aircraft. This is accomplished through our six responsibilities.
In addition to pre-board screening of passengers and luggage, CATSA is responsible for t he acquisition, deployment, operation and maintenance of sophisticated explosives detection systems at airports; contracting for RCMP policing services on selected flights and all flights to Reagan National Airport; the implementation of a restricted area identification card; the screening of non-passengers entering airport restricted areas; and contributions for supplemental airport policing services.
Each of these programs is a crucial component of the overall aviation security mission- to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system as assigned by the government. These programs work independently and together to ensure the integrity of the system and to deter terrorist attacks.
In just three and a half short years, we have been successful in accomplishing these six responsibilities.
There is no question that Canada has put in place one of the best aviation security systems in the world today. I am also sure you would all agree that it is an improved system since 9/11.
There is no question that Canada has put in place one of the best aviation security systems in the world today. We have installed state-of-the-art screening equipment and instituted some of the world's best training for screening officers. We invest over $4,000 in the training of each screening officer, having doubled and even tripled the amount of training given compared to pre 9/11 levels. We are a recognized world leader in the implementation of biometric security cards and are leading the way in bringing together countries, including the US, UK, Australia and Israel to share best practices.
We screen over 37 million passengers a year, over 60 million pieces of checked luggage and approximately 2,600 airport workers every day.
Another accomplishment that we are very proud of is the establishment of the Security Communications Centre. The Security Communications Centre was created to improve the coordination of information between headquarters and the regions, to enhance service delivery and to act as a "command centre" in the event of an emergency.
These are just some of our achievements in making the aviation system in Canada more secure. The sheer number of air passengers - which has increased to 1.9 billion1 in 2004 up from 1.7 billion in 2003 - indicates that we have done a good job in making the traveling public feel safer.
That being said, there is always more than can be done. We know that terrorists will seek to exploit weaknesses in our transportation system and in our security measures. We also know that terrorists will adapt to the security measures we have put in place. No security system will ever be 100% effective. We in the security community all understand that. However, this reality must not stop us from trying to achieve this success rate just the same. The death of one more innocent civilian at the hands of terrorists is one too many.
For example, these recent media reports stated that our technology is unable to screen lead-lined film bags. This is simply not true. We have tested our equipment with such bags again and again, and each time you can clearly see the contents of the bag.
Screening officers have a tough job to do. As highly trained officers, they have only a few seconds to determine whether or not the content of a passenger's bag poses a danger to the aircraft. They use a combination of technology and judgement in terms of what they see and determine whether the object is a threat item or not.
No individual system can ever be 100 per cent fool proof. Can we at CATSA improve our screening systems? Can the whole air transport system be improved? Absolutely!
As I said before, we have one of the best aviation security systems in the world- one that is built on partnerships with security service providers, airlines, airport authorities and the law enforcement community. While we each have our own individual responsibilities to ensure the security of air transport, it is also our collective responsibility to ensure confidence in our system.
CATSA is absolutely committed to improving the system- we have to. We cannot remain static. Terrorists are constantly evolving, and we must also evolve.
In my opening remarks, I said I would like to talk to you about how we can improve the system. CATSA must be proactive in proposing and implementing effective responses to emerging threats. As an accountable aviation security authority, we are using four key principles to guide our decision-making, structure our operations and steer our work.
Allow me to explain:
• Operational flexibility;
• Financial flexibility;
• Access to actionable intelligence; and,
• Working effectively with our partners and the Government of Canada
Given the unpredictability and rapid change reflected in terrorist events around the world, our security approach must be based on flexibility and adaptability. More and more we are moving towards a risk-based system-- one in which we understand our risks well and apply our limited resources to.
We need to identify security gaps, propose solutions and take action to close the gaps in collaboration with Transport Canada .
We are working towards the re-engineering of screening operations, emphasizing alignment to risk.
For example, rather than putting all passengers through the same screening process, we are looking at ways to focus our energy and resources on high-risk passengers. Only a very minute percentage of the traveling public pose a real threat. We need to focus our energies on this percentage and make things easier for the 80-year-old grandmothers and two-year-old children.
We will continue to work with Transport Canada and our aviation stakeholders to achieve a common-sense approach to prohibited items.
We cannot allow terrorists to use the predictability of our security measures to their advantage in planning or carrying out an attack.
It is no secret, in the security community that information sharing and access to timely intelligence is key. Having this type of information will allow us to evaluate risks and consequences, factor in known and unknown terrorist threats and acknowledge this in the design of our programs.
Strong collaborative relationships are essential to ensure that we are an agile security authority. CATSA will continue to work cooperatively and effectively with government partners, in particular Transport Canada , to enhance relations to ensure open communications and the reciprocity required to facilitate a common security agenda.
We must also continue to work cooperatively with airports, airlines and service providers in order to ensure the security of the traveling public.
We have accomplished a lot in three and a half short years and we fully acknowledge that our work is not done. Security systems must evolve and more can always be done to improve the system.
We have to look at ways to enhance our operational and financial flexibility, to improve our access to actionable intelligence and to ensure our relationships with our partners and stakeholders are always based on mutual cooperation- ensuring the security of the traveling public and the best quality customer service for Canadians. Our best ally is the people we are trying to protect and we cannot lose sight of this!
Even though customer service is an important aspect in our job, security will never take a back seat.
Working with our partners; service providers, airports, airlines and Transport Canada, we have made air travel more secure in Canada.
The steps we are taking send a message, in no uncertain terms, that terror will not have the last word; that we are not helpless in its face nor paralyzed by its grasp. That we are ready to do whatever is required to enhance the security of air travel for citizens around the world.
Thank You.1- ICAO Journal (Vol. 60, Number 5, 2005): Annual Review of Civil Aviation 2004
