We awakened September 11, 2001, to a day filled with
possibility, a day that progressed like its predecessor before it. To our disbelief and horror, America came face-to-face
with its vulnerabilities; our nation confronted the inconceivable “the
perceived impenetrable armor had been penetrated” and 2985 of this nation’s
citizens lost their lives to terrorism.
This nation’s Chief Executive Officer and President George H
Bush summed the emotions that engulfed the populace and galvanized the
sentiment that rippled throughout many sectors of our nation’s communities, “Tonight,
we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has
turned to anger and anger to resolution….
Our
nation, this generation, will lift the dark threat of violence from our people
and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our
courage. We will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail….Whether we bring our enemies to justice
or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.”
For approximately nine plus years we lived those words and justice
searched diligently for the perpetrators of 9/11. Justice did introduce itself to Osama Bin
Laden on May 2, 2011; he was the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorism attacks. This introduction brought with it Osama Bin
Laden demise. 9/11 gave rise to the need
to enhance security processes and procedures.
Standard Operating Procedures that employed across the board; the
security screening processes, e.g. metal
detector, keys, coin change and pocket knife (or box cutter), x-ray machine and
full body scans. The processes continued upgrades to limited
liquids container sizes and full body pat downs.
Problematic scenarios still plague the industry;
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Training for airport screeners is
spotty, and deadly weapons continue to get through security.
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All checked baggage is being
screened for explosives, but not all carry-on bags and passengers.
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The screening technology itself,
which experts say is the future of aviation security, needs refining.
Further proactive measures are being implemented and employed,
however as the tenth anniversary of 9/11 approaches and our intelligence
community advises creditable sources that terrorism is once again raising its
ugly head.
The key factors that will determine the success or failures of proactive
security measures are thorough analysis of systems/organizational strengths and
weakness, strategic allocations, placement and applications of proactive
measures in real world scenarios. The
battle is ongoing, but success can be attained.