Technology Solutions Proposed to
Enhance Air Travel Safety
Silicon Valley Aviation Security Task Force Submits
Final Report to Mayor Gonzales and Congressman Honda
San José, CA --- The Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force
on Aviation Security and Technology recommended priorities for technology
applications to enhance the safety and security of air travel in its final
report released today.
The task force recommendations focused on four key areas for using existing
and emerging technologies:
- Validate and manage the security of the airport and aviation workforce,
such as the use of biometric authentication.
- Strengthen airport facility and airplane security with video monitoring
systems, driver and vehicle authentication, and access control.
- Integrate and secure aviation and airport communications infrastructure,
including networked digital technology.
- Ensure passenger respect and rights with appropriate and efficient
technology applications.
The full report can be found on the website of the Blue Ribbon Task Force
at www.sjcblueribbontaskforce.org.
The report was presented to Congressman Mike Honda and San Jose Mayor
Ron Gonzales, who together established the task force in March. They directed
the task force to work with Mineta San Jose International Airport and
business and technology leaders to identify solutions that can enhance
national and local aviation security and efficiency through technology.
Symantec CEO John W. Thompson was chair of the task force.
Over the past 100 days, the Blue Ribbon Task Force reviewed a wide array
of aviation security technology proposals. Its recommendations for promising
uses of technology will be submitted to US Secretary of Transportation
Norm Mineta, Undersecretary for the Transportation Security Administration
John Magaw, and the San Jose City Council.
"Following the events of September 11, it was apparent that aviation
security could be substantially improved," said Congressman Honda.
"Instead of being deterred, we gained commitment. Mayor Gonzales
and I proactively sought the best minds in Silicon Valley to formulate
technology recommendations to improve aviation security and convenience
for travelers.
"I am proud of the work of the task force and their resourcefulness
in finding new applications for proven, deployable technology to improve
aviation security. I look forward to going back to Washington D.C. to
showcase solutions that could serve as a national model for establishing
a more secure aviation infrastructure."
According Mayor Ron Gonzales, "I knew we could count on Silicon
Valley's leadership and innovation to identify practical technology solutions
for the benefit of the nation's aviation system that balance the security
of the general public with our individual civil rights. This work represents
the best of Silicon Valley to the nation."
Thompson noted that it was a tremendous honor for to have participated
on the task force and provide assistance to the efforts of Congressman
Honda and Mayor Gonzales for securing the nation's airports.
"We are excited about the recommendations in this report and sincerely
hope we have made a real contribution to benefit the security of aviation
travelers and employees throughout the country.
"This report is a tremendous accomplishment given our 100-day time
frame. All of the credit should go to the members of the task force who
devoted their time and energies to this project," he said.
The events of September 11 focused the nation on the need for greater
security throughout the aviation infrastructure. Congress and the FAA
enacted broad new regulations for air travel safety, and all U.S. airports
are required to implement an array of new security measures by specific
dates over the next three years.
To ensure uniform and nationwide implementation of these new measures,
the responsibility for airport security operations was placed under the
jurisdiction of the new Transportation Security Administration in the
U.S. Department of Transportation, headed by Undersecretary of Transportation
John Magaw.
The new federal aviation security law includes a key provision authored
by Honda that will launch a nationwide pilot program in twenty or more
U.S. airports to test new and emerging security technologies. The measure
could dramatically improve airport security by promoting the development
and use of cutting edge technologies, such as biometric authentication,
Position System applications, enhanced communication systems and database
integration protocols.
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