When we use the word "airport" in airport terms, we use the word Security,In some cases, ambiguity arises because the word may refer to two related but independent concepts: Operational safety y Physical Security.
However, in English, there are two different terms for each of these concepts: ‘Safety’ (operational security) and ‘Security’ (physical security). Therefore, when reference is made in English to the concept of Security in the field of airports, the appropriate connotation should be indicated, or the corresponding anglicism should be used.
What is ‘Safety’ or Operational Safety?
While the word safety translates as “safety”, the expression to be safe means “to be safe”. This nuance helps us to understand what the essence of Operational Security is, or Safety.
According to the definition which is contained in the Royal Decree 862/2009, which regulates the technical standards for operation of aerodromes of public use, the Operational Security is “the state in which the risk of injury to persons or damage to property is reduced and maintained at or below an acceptable level by a continuous process of hazard identification and risk management".
Operational Security (Safety) refers to all processes whose aim is to reduce the number of incidents and accidents in air transport. The achievement of this objective is based on three main aspects:
- The definition of Operational Security Levels and their corresponding indicators. This enables the measurement, monitoring and tracking of the security of aircraft, passengers and other aviation stakeholders.
- Research and Security Incident Analysis, in order to implement preventive measures on the basis of the experience gained.
- The detection, assessment and Risk reduction (or elimination), The aim is to have a level of risk that is at least tolerable, if not zero.
The processes related to the Operational Safety of aerodromes and airports are subject to a number of different regulations national and international, and are implemented through the Operational Safety Management System or Safety Management System (SMS) at each airport. These systems are governed by a series of principles such as the commitment and training of all employees in safety management; the investigation and sharing of information on incidents, as well as on best practices to resolve them; the effective implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); and the implementation of a Safety Management System (SMS). Standard/Safe Operating Procedures (SOP); or the oversight and continuous improvement of operational safety processes.
A key issue in the management of airport safety and security is the risk prevention, The aim is to be able to respond effectively to such issues as what can happen or how likely is to happen.
What is ‘Security’ or Physical Security?
In general terms, Physical Security or security is defined as the protection of persons, property, data or assets from physical actions that may cause them harm or loss.
Civil Aviation has suffered since its origins from a multitude of criminal acts and unlawful interference. We all still have in our minds the shocking images of the attack on the Twin Towers or the explosion in the Madrid - Barajas Airport car park, among others.
Physical Security (Security) has as its primary objective to ensure the protection of all actors involved in Civil Aviation against possible acts of unlawful interference, meaning passengers, crews, ground personnel, the public, aircraft, facilities and information necessary for air navigation.
Currently, the following are implemented multiple systems and measures to ensure security in airports in different areas: access control, explosives detection, anti-terrorist surveillance, alarms and recognition systems, video surveillance, fire, panic and intruder detection, among others.
In order to achieve the objective of maintaining Physical Security at airports, an adequate organisation of both human and material resources is used at national and international level. With the aim of standardising this organisation, the State, through the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), The "Safety Framework for Civil Aviation" sets out broad and comprehensive criteria based on legal provisions, which are applied by the many entities involved in any civil aviation safety structure.
One of the latest measures adopted is the obligation for any worker which carries out its activity in an airport facility from the performance of a Basic Airport Security Awareness Course. The benefit of this course, which we can provide from AERTEC thanks to our AVSEC trainers, is a necessary step in order to obtain the corresponding personal security clearance.
