Tag Archive for Sensitive Security Information

United States

House Oversight Committee Report: Psuedo-Classification of Executive Branch Documents

While the SSI designation can protect sensitive information, it is also vulnerable to misuse. Bipartisan concerns about the use of the SSI designation by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have existed since the promulgation of the SSI regulations in 2004. Through its investigation, the Committee obtained witness testimony and documents that show possible misuse of the SSI designation by TSA. Witnesses detailed instances in which TSA barred the release of SSI documents against the advice of TSA’s SSI Office. TSA also released SSI documents against the advice of career staff in the SSI Office. The Committee’s investigation revealed that coordination challenges exist among the TSA Administrator, TSA’s Office of Public Affairs (OPA), and TSA’s SSI Office.

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Transportation Security Administration

(SSI) TSA Passenger Aircraft Cargo Screening and Security Measures Emergency Amendment

In October 2010, terrorists concealed explosives in cargo bound for the United States. Terrorists continue to pursue such tactics to attack the United States and U.S. interests overseas involving commercial aircraft. The measures described in this Emergency Amendment (EA) are required to detect and deter unauthorized explosives in cargo. When implemented, this EA cancels and supersedes EA 1546-10-07 series. The measures contained in this EA are in addition to the requirements of the foreign air carrier’s TSA-accepted security program and all other EAs currently in effect for its operations.

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Transportation Security Administration

(SSI) TSA Aviation Security Directive Airport-Issued Identifcation Threat Reporting

The threat to U.S. civil aviation remains significant. Current credible intelligence indicates Al-Qaida and other terrorist groups continue to develop plans for multiple attacks against targets in the United States, including airports and civil aviation. These terrorist groups continue to pursue a range of targets, tactics, and capabilities to accomplish this objective, including employment in the aviation sector to gain knowledge of aviation operations. Terrorist operatives view attacks on the United States as a priority because of their potentially Significant economic and psychological impacts.

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Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration

(SSI) DHS-CBP-TSA Terrorist Watchlist Screening Implementation User’s Guide

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) merges the capability to anticipate, preempt, and deter threats to the homeland whenever possible through its component agencies. Under the guidance of its Screening Coordination Office, DHS directed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to combine the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) Pre-Departure and Secure Flight concepts and systems to provide “One DHS Solution” to the commercial aviation industry consistent with applicable authorities and statutes.

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Transportation Security Administration

(SSI) TSA Prototype RFID Baggage Tracking Report

This report describes the qualification test conducted at Newark International Airport on a prototype RF identification system for use in passenger baggage identification and tracking applications. The system tested was one made by Avante, which operates at 13.56 MHz. It consisted of a freestanding conveyor belt, an HF antenna array, a long-range reader and baggage tags that incorporate an antenna and an integrated circuit.

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Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration

TSA Swiss-Made Miniature Gun Warning

The ATF has issued an officer safety advisory on what is called the world’s smallest gun after a CBS 2 inquiry. The Alert has been issued both in the New York and nationally to all Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives criminal investigators and will be passed on to other federal agencies. The ATF has confiscated thousands of disguised or miniature guns from flashlights that shoot a .25 caliber bullet to pen guns. The latest miniature gun that is alarming the ATF community is the Swiss MiniGun.

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Department of Agriculture

SSI USDA Physical Security Access Control System (PSACS) Privacy Impact Assessment

The Office of Departmental Administration (DA) Office of Security Services (OSS) Protective Operations Division (POD) is within the US. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This Privacy Impact Assessment evaluates privacy information residing on the Physical Security Access Control System (PSACS). The DA/OSS is responsible for providing physical, personal, and document security services. These POD services are provided in the USDA South Building/Whitten complex and at leased buildings in the National Capital Region (NCR).

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