Press Release
For Immediate Release
9 December 2009
ACTE Calls for a Full Investigation of TSA Online Security Manual Release
Alexandria, VA -- The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is calling for a full investigation of data security processes following the inadvertent online posting of a sensitive 93-page security manual by the Transportation Security Administration. According to published sources, the manual detailed screening procedures for diplomats, CIA personnel, and law enforcement officials, listed potential screening weaknesses, and cited remarkably low statistics for screened baggage and black light checked travel documents. According to a statement issue today by ACTE President Richard Crum, an accidental security breach of this magnitude is unacceptable considering the billions of dollars that have been spent to safeguard the nation’s air transport system.
“We expect that the agency solely responsible for the protection of hundreds of millions of travelers would have a multi-level fail-safe procedure for preventing the release of sensitive information to the internet -- even between federal agencies,” said Crum. “The TSA has been given less than satisfactory marks for data protection by the General Accounting Office for years. The time has come for Congress to seriously consider more oversight for the TSA, and its procedures, especially where data and the internet are concerned.”
While the TSA has since stated that the manual is dated and that parts of it were alleged to be redacted, journalists had no difficulty in gaining access to sensitive details. Crum pointed out that this is not the first time that sensitive information has found it way to internet regarding airline security procedures and that the problem seems to be a recurrent one. (Traveler data, including social security numbers, were previously released to the internet by a government contractor during a presentation of the CAPPSII program.)
In a communication to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood last month, Crum cited the necessity of making air transport security a priority in any dialogue to be considered by a Federal Advisory Committee on the Future of Aviation. In addition to the problems created by the leaking of this manual, Crum also expressed surprise at the conservative number of bags that are physically checked for explosives and the potential weaknesses that exist in search procedures for various individuals.
“While there would never be a good time for a document like this to be released to the internet, it will now be necessary to immediately tighten up any weak areas identified in the TSA manual, basically going to a far more stringent set of procedures, without any preparation, two weeks before the surge of holiday travel,” said Crum. “Undoubtedly there will be a cost for all this, and I sincerely hope no one is considering passing it on to the airlines or to the traveler.”
ABOUT ACTE:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €463 billion business travel industry. Our members serve more than 12 million business travellers worldwide. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has representation in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com