TSA Unveils Guidelines to Safeguard US Transportation Systems

As a focus on health and safety standards is the top priority due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released its key objectives to improve and safeguard transportation systems in the United States.

During TSA Administrator David Pekoske’s “Administrator’s Intent 2.0” presentation, he laid out a guide for the agency and its workforce over the next two years on managing new global security risks to safeguard all modes of transportation.

The objectives address security threats across seven broad categories, including insider risk, surface transportation, checkpoint strategies, workforce support, cybersecurity, outcome-oriented policy management and utilization of TSA’s security authorities.

“I am proud of the hard work and achievements TSA has made over the previous two years as a result of the first Administrator’s Intent released in 2018, and am confident in our dedicated professionals as we reprioritize our efforts on emerging threats,” Pekoske said in a statement. “Administrator’s Intent 2.0 builds upon the successes achieved to date and acknowledges the agility and adaptability necessary in our ongoing response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.”

The agency is looking to educate its employees on the possible threats and create a vigilant workforce trained to protect the traveling public. The objectives were also developed with input from government and industry partners.

Pekoske’s presentation revealed priorities for implementation through fiscal year 2022, as well as the steps to guide the employees who safeguard all modes of transportation by raising the baseline of aviation security.

Earlier this week, a TSA whistleblower said airport screeners were not adequately trained on how to handle the pandemic and he even witnessed agency officials ordering management not to hand out stockpiled N95 respirator masks in March.