DHS inspector general John Roth has told a House hearing that 14 years after the inception of TSAhe is “deeply concerned about its ability to execute its important mission.”
He said that since 2004, after TSA became part of the then-new DHS—it was originally part of the Transportation Department—his office has issued more than 100 audit and inspection reports carrying hundreds of recommendations to improve the agency. These include covert penetration tests testing the agency’s ability to prevent simulated explosives and weapons from clearing checkpoints, which have revealed “vulnerabilities caused by human and technology-based failures.”
“Our audits have repeatedly found that human error— often a simple failure to follow protocol—poses significant vulnerabilities,” he said. Further, despite the billions spent on aviation security technology, “our testing of certain systems has revealed no resulting improvement.”
Other areas of concern include how TSA plans for, buys, develops and maintains equipment; potential for misuse of the expedited PreCheck screening system; continued vulnerabilities in baggage screening equipment; unreliability of the behavior detection program; cybersecurity; and more.
“The integrity of TSA’s workforce is also an important factor in the safety of our airports, as well as the public’s trust in TSA’s handling of their personal belongings. Although only a small percentage of TSA employees have committed crimes or engaged in other egregious misconduct, even a few publicized cases of wrongdoing can affect the public’s confidence and potentially undermine deterrence,” he said.