Aviation Security Services: the Human Input as the Key Factor Marc Pissens President ASSA-I Aviation Security Services Association International 1
ASSA-I Aviation Security Services Association International ASSA-I was founded in June 2002, in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks ASSA-I is a non-profit organisation, having as members the most important private security companies. The aim of ASSA-I is to defend the interests of the aviation security providers in national, European and international fora and to promote high quality security services ASSA-I is a corresponding member of CoESS (Confederation of European Security Services) and pilots the CoESS Working Committee Airport Security Visibility of ASSA-I: Relations and cooperation with European organisations and institutions (e.g. DG MOVE) ASSA-I is officialy recognized as stakeholder in the Stakeholders Advisory Group on Aviation Security (SAGAS) Presence on the International scene Established good relations with other international aviation stakeholders like IATA, ACI and ACSIF ASSA-I is a frequent guest speaker at European and international events and conferences 2
Aviation Security Services Industry Facts in 2009 In 2009 the total European aviation security services market (public and pivate) is estimated at approximately 3.000.000.000 Euro (= Turnover) 56 % of the total European aviation security services market (public and private) is outsourced to private security providers (other than the airport operator or competent authority). The total European private aviation security services market (outsourced) represents approximately 1.600.500.000 Euro (Turnover in 2009) The member companies of ASSA I represent 72 % of the European private aviation security services market (outsourced) Turnover 2009 = 1.250.500.000 Euro The aviation security services industry (public and private) represented in 2009 around 80.000 jobs in EU The ASSA-I member companies employ around 41. 000 security guards 3
Personnel employed by the ASSA-I members - 2009 Total guards employed by the ASSA-I Member companies in function of the most important activities: Cargo Security 3.500 guards Airport Security 22.000 guards 7 % 54 % Airport related services and others (Car parks, Hotels, Courier, Catering facilities) Airline Security (inclusive profiling) 3.500 guards 12.000 guards 9 % 30 % In 2009 the ASSA-I member companies had a total personnel turnover (average) of 22 % on a yearly basis. 4
Trends and challenges The economical environment has a substantial impact on the labour market per country and even per region The increase of security regulations and use of technology requires more flexible and higher competent staff Recruiting challenges caused by unattractive working conditions Profile and compentences of aviation/ airport security guards become increasingly complex Competition exists from other services (e.g. police, customs, public transport, etc...) Low availability in the labour market Retention challenges caused by underrecognition of the job as a real profession offering genuine career perspectives Increased demand for flexibility from the security staff strongly impacts their social live Low recognition in the field Low salaries in relation to the required profile/competences 5
Role of private security services in the aviation security industry Private security today is a huge, complex and highly segmented industry The main components of this industry can be roughly listed as follows Providers of technologies and equipment (including related managed services) Providers of security services (in essence manned guarding services, in combination or not with handling of equipment and technologies) The conglomerate of end-users, operators, customers and the corporate security world Private security companies are not only end users of the technology, but a key element in the deployment of the security equipment. Success in the deployment of technological equipment is dependent on human intervention 6
Role of private security services in the aviation security industry Quality is ASSA-I s first and transversal goal and priority. Private security companies (ASSA-I members) have collectively invested in development of quality schemes, selection and recruitment procedures, training programmes and other instruments in order to enhance the quality of the security services provided with emphasis on the human element ASSA-I has set up the following initiatives: ASSA-I Quality Charter ASSA-I Annex on Training CEN/PC 384 : a standard for aviation security services ASSA-I Best Value Manual 7
ASSA-I Quality Charter Staff selection and recruitment criteria Selection and recruitment criteria are designed to produce qualified, well-suited and reliable personnel with the ultimate goal of providing the aviation security industry with high qualified and motivated personnel. In order to obtain this objective recruitment and selection, procedures will therefore focus on: selection and recruitment criteria Function profile Pre-selection Internal corporate recruitment mechanism Pre-employment checks Background checks Psychometric tests physical qualities, wages and proposed benefits, health insurance and other motivation factors 8
CEN/PC 384: Standard for Aviation Security Services (1) The CEN Project was initiated by the private security sector itself (CoESS and ASSA-I) Scope: Standardisation of airport, aircraft, airline and airport-related civil aviation security services provided on a contractual basis State of play at present: the Project Committee has finished drafting the standard. The standard will now be submitted to CEN members (national standardisation bodies) for final vote (acceptance or not). Afterwards, the standard will be translated and available at national level (May 2011) Common standards, if applied, will strongly enhance the best value principle and increase the quality of the services delivered at European airports 9
CEN/PC 384: Standard for Aviation Security Services (2) The standard is designed to guide civil aviation customers through key quality criteria when selecting a service provider and to encourage customers to choose quality above price. CEN standards do not imply a certification mechanism, audit system or label. The future European standard for aviation security services will have voluntary application. Although standards, in essence, are voluntary the ultimate goal of CoESS and ASSA-I is to lobby for translation into future EU legislative work or introduction in national licensing schemes for private security companies 10
ASSA-I and CoESS - Best Value Manual Helping the clients to define their needs The manual is designed to guide aviation customers through different key quality criteria to consider when selecting a high quality provider for aviation security services. Helping the clients to select the best value security provider The manual presents a scoring framework to evaluate bids which: Provides maximum autonomy to the clients to define their own needs Is objective Quantifies quality criteria with a points system Allows price and different quality criteria to be weighted according to the needs of each security service Is user-friendly Is adaptable to different situations 11
What is needed? When conducting security research projects in the field of aviation security, the focus is at present essentially on technology Not enough attention for the human factor and its impact Additional security research related on the human aspect of private security policies is needed In depth assessment of the added value (in socio-economic terms) of the human element/intervention in the deployment of security equipment is needed Additional and more integrated research should lead to a full understanding and analysis of the role/function of the security guards/screeners Security research should focus more on the general impact on the human element and not purely on the individual product. Conclusion: ASSA-I stresses the need for a more targeted research and practical research outcomes 12
Questions and Answers? 13
Thank you for your attention! ASSA-I Aviation Security Services Association International Jan Bogemansstraat 249 1780 Wemmel Belgium Tel: +32 2 462 07 77 Fax: +32 2 460 14 31 www.assa-int.org apeg-bvbo@i-b-s.be 14