Extra Eyes Mean Extra Security

September 2017 marked 16 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001, a date that forever changed the face of airport security. During the past 16 years, we have seen the introduction of stringent baggage restrictions, full-body scanners at airports, and a litany of new regulations from bodies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

A Changing Security Environment

The real question is how security providers can remain one step ahead of the threats: that is, foiling new threats as they arise, rather than being content to have simply closed the security gaps of the past.

No matter how much security has been added or how many gaps we've closed, threats continue to evolve and test us. These new threats make it extremely important that security measures also adapt and grow so that we can face these new threats head-on. 

As recent attacks have demonstrated, there is no room for complacency. Just look at some of the recent examples:

• Despite all the security procedures working perfectly, in January 2017 a shooter in Fort Lauderdale collected his baggage, entered the restroom, loaded his weapon, emerged and killed 5 and injured 6 before surrendering to airport police.
• In March of this year, 17 people died in a suicide bombing at Brussels Zaventem Airport; the attack took place in the check-in area, an unsecured section of the airport with unrestricted access. 
• June of 2017, a gun and bomb attack at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport killed 41 people and injured 239. This, too, raised questions about public access to airports: while the airport employed X-ray scanners at the entrance to the terminal, security checks in the car park were limited.
• The Moscow Airport was attacked in January 2011 by a suicide bomber detonating himself in the arrival area and killing 38 people and injuring over 100 more.

Despite all that has been undertaken to ensure in-flight security, airports themselves have been labelled a "soft target." Factor in the continued threats to planes (underlined by the EgyptAir hijacking in March 2017), and it is clear that security remains a grave concern throughout the aviation sector.

"With the threats to airport security evolving rapidly, it is vital for security providers to take a proactive approach and involve everyone working at the airport."

TapToReport brings a new and exciting tool to airport security by enabling each and every airport worker from vendors and janitors to ticketing and airline personnel to parking and shuttle attendants, every employee can be the real-time eyes and ears of security.

With some simple training workers can discreetly report a myriad of safety and security issues. From the simple spilled drink creating a slip and fall (risk and liability) situation to the excessive and belligerent drinker to the nervous and jittery person who triggers a second look from a trained professional.

TapToReport is easy to implement, cost effective and will prove to be one of the most valuable tools in your security arsenal. Sign up for your free trail today and explore the power of TapToReport.