Report: TSA background checks of port workers are not reliable

Background checks of port workers conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) aren’t as reliable or effective as they could be, according to a new report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Office.

The watchdog concluded that there is not sufficient oversight or guidance for the Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) program, which conducts background checks and issues credentials for workers entering secure areas at the nation’s ports.

{mosads}The TSA has issued more than 3.5 million biometric credentials to individuals needing unescorted access to secure port areas since October 2015.

The report, released Friday, found that fraud detection techniques are not being monitored, quality controls are missing, guidance is inadequate and credentials may be issued even under questionable circumstances.

“These issues exist, in part, because TSA leadership relies on the TWIC program office to implement necessary improvements; however, the TWIC program office focuses more on customer service than effectiveness of the program,” the report says.

“Additionally, because of TSA’s organizational structure, the TWIC program office lacks visibility into and authority over the other offices within TSA that support the TWIC program. As a result, there is a risk that someone with major criminal or immigration offenses maintains access to secured areas of maritime facilities.” 

The TSA says it has already begun taking a number of steps to strengthen the security and oversight of the program, including implementing additional processes and reporting for fraudulent document detection, developing new solutions to verify passports and completing an enterprise risk review of TSA’s Security Threat Assessment process.

“TSA is continually improving the extensive vetting and security screening processes for eligibility determinations for Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC), which are required by law for individuals with unescorted access to vessels and other regulated port facilities,” the agency said in a statement.

The Government Accountability Office released reports in 2011 and 2013 that also pointed out weaknesses in the TSA’s background checks.
 
“TSA has known for years that there were problems and I’m concerned that little has been done to address them,” Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), ranking member on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said in a statement.

“These weaknesses have opened up our ports to potential security threats, including the opportunity for an insider threat or someone with a serious criminal history to gain access to secure areas. These gaps must be closed immediately to secure our ports and maritime facilities.”

The DHS Inspector General Office is recommending that the TSA take a slew of actions, including designating an entity to coordinate and provide guidance for the program, conducting a comprehensive risk analysis and improving credential metrics.

The TSA agrees with the recommendations and has already started to implement corrective actions, according to the report.