Mitigating Insider Threats in the Domestic Aviation System: Policy Options for the Transportation Security Administration
Abstract
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) defines insider threat as the risk posed by workers with inside access and knowledge to exploit vulnerabilities in the nations transportation systems. In recent years, insiders have been leveraged by criminal and terrorist organizations to further nefarious plots in the aviation system. This thesis examines policy options for TSA to mitigate insider threats in the domestic aviation system and discusses the effectiveness of TSAs insider threat programs. This thesis also explores whether TSA can be more effective at insider threat prevention with additional intelligence collection authorities. The insider threat programs of the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United Kingdoms MI5, and federal defense contractor Lockheed Martin are analyzed to identify alternative solutions. At their core, insider threat policies center around three primary areas: security programs, counterintelligence programs, and organizational culture. TSA should establish its own counterintelligence program while continuing to fine-tune its security programs. Integrating counterintelligence and security programs enhances an organizations ability to detect and prevent insider threats. Finally, taking additional steps to establish a strong security ethos within the airport environment will help further harden the target.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1053083
Entities
People
- Brian S. Bean
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School