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Transportation Security Administration: More Clarity on the Authority of Federal Security Directors Is Needed

GAO-05-935 Published: Sep 23, 2005. Publicly Released: Oct 24, 2005.
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Highlights

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) assigned Federal Security Directors (FSD) to oversee security, including the screening of passengers and their baggage, at the nation's more than 440 commercial airports. FSDs must work closely with stakeholders to ensure that airports are adequately protected and prepared in the event of a terrorist attack. This report addresses (1) the roles and responsibilities of FSDs and the clarity of their authority relative to that of other airport stakeholders during security incidents, (2) the extent to which FSDs formed and facilitated partnerships with airport stakeholders, and (3) FSDs' views of key changes TSA made to better support or empower the FSD position.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Transportation Security Administration To clarify the authority of the Federal Security Director during various security incidents and help ensure a consistent understanding of the authority of FSDs among FSDs, their staff, and airport stakeholders, the Secretary of Homeland Security should direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration to update TSA's Delegation of Authority to FSDs to clearly reflect the authority of FSDs relative to other airport stakeholders during security incidents.
Closed – Implemented
Agency issued an updated Delegation of Authority in accordance with GAO's recommendation.
Transportation Security Administration To clarify the authority of the Federal Security Director during various security incidents and help ensure a consistent understanding of the authority of FSDs among FSDs, their staff, and airport stakeholders, the Secretary of Homeland Security should direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration to communicate the authority of the FSD position, as warranted, to FSDs and all airport stakeholders.
Closed – Implemented
Agency communicated the authority of the FSD in accordance with GAO's recommendation.

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Topics

Agency missionsAirport securityAviation securityCommercial aviationTransportation securityCounterterrorismFederal employeesInternal controlsPolicy evaluationPolicies and proceduresStakeholder consultations