Commercial Integrator + Security Sales July 2024 - 38

INTEGRATOR INSIGHTS by Devin Baize
Security Theater Versus Performing to Standard
THINK BACK on the last few times that you've fl own.
What was it like?
If you're anything like me, you most likely arrived at the
airport two hours before your fl ight was scheduled to board
so you could take part in America's favorite national pastime:
navigating TSA security checkpoints!
As you were in line, inching closer and closer to the ID station,
you most likely overheard the commands that you soon would
have to follow. What was it this time? Shoes off ? Belt in the bin?
Did you put your laptop in a separate bin, or were you yelled
at for failing to remember? Was the full-body scanner down?
Did they make you go through a typical metal detector instead?
What actually works?
According to covert testing performed by the Department
of Homeland Security in recent years, TSA screeners missed
upwards of 95% of drugs, weapons or bombs in mock scenarios.
Security Theater
An apt term that is oſt en thrown around for such measures
is " security theater. " My own personal defi nition of " security
theater " is all show and no substance. A key indicator is a customer
experience survey that the TSA conducted that showed
94% of respondents felt the TSA was performing an adequate
job of keeping air travel safe.
The illusion of safety is there; however, if people knew the
rate of failure, the illusion would surely shatter. So, what can
the TSA do to ensure they are performing to the standards
expected of them?
As experts in the security integration industry, how oſt en do
we ask ourselves this same question? Our customers rely on us
to provide the truth when designing a system for their needs.
Meanwhile, all too oſt en, the latest AI analytic, or " the fi nal
single pane of glass " that will resolve all customer pain points,
bombards us.
Overlooking simple things, such as the egress of a door
or the placement of a camera, can compromise an otherwise-eff
ective solution. A high-security environment can be
hamstrung by the act of installing Wiegand readers in an era
in which Flipper Zero is not only a cheap tool but also - let's
face it - fun.
One last detriment to an otherwise-eff ective system is alarm
fatigue or the lack of notifi cations from the security system.
How oſt en do we return to customers to ask them how their
experience has been? How oſt en do we test these solutions
before deploying them for customers?
I want to leave you with this: If you see something in a design
There's no more obvious example of so-called " security
theater " than TSA security checkpoints at the airport.
or system that makes you say huh?, speak your mind. You
could very well save the customer from some future unknown
headache...or worse.
A Shining Light in the Darkness
As for the TSA, there is a shining light in the darkness. Airplane
manufacturers have greatly increased airplane security through
more secure designs, such as reinforced cockpit doors, secondary
cockpit doors and the ability to unlock lavatory doors from
the outside.
There has also been an increase in the number of air
marshals aboard commercial fl ights to help combat those who
might pass through security checkpoints. Finally, and most
controversially, an increase in anti-terrorist intelligence helps
stop criminals before they can set foot in an airport.
So, rest easy, TSA. And maybe make up your mind on the
whole shoes thing. SSI
DEVIN BAIZE is an IT manager for Preferred Technologies in Dallas. He has seven years of experience in the security integration
industry and has worked with Axis Communications, Hanwha, Mercury, Genetec, and other brands and solutions.
38 Commercial Integrator+Security Sales & Integration | July 2024
DMITRY/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Commercial Integrator + Security Sales July 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Integrator + Security Sales July 2024