Cybersecurity

New TSA cyber rules leave lawmakers, industry hopeful for happy medium regulations

The agency argues its Nov. 8 proposed rulemaking will dually address the transportation industry’s regulation concerns while ensuring they’re suitably protected from hackers. Others want to wait and see.

Digital Government

TSA proposes softer rollout of Real ID enforcement

Federal agencies would have the option to gradually require the secure documents after May 7, in part to avoid chaos at state DMVs when the deadline approaches.

Emerging Tech

Diverting TSA funds harms deployment of new tech, lawmakers warn

A bill to keep all 9/11 security fee collections at TSA would help the agency more quickly deploy facial recognition capabilities, but its supporters say privacy still needs to be prioritized.

Digital Government

House panel advances bill to study TSA’s embrace of digital IDs

Travelers from nine states can now use mobile driver’s licenses to verify their identities at 27 U.S. airports.

Modernization

Lawmakers look to restore TSA funding to speed screening tech deployment

The measure is one of three bipartisan proposals rolled out this week that seek to bolster funding for TSA’s deployment of new technologies and to limit invasive pat-downs of travelers.

Emerging Tech

TSA’s biometrics deployment will take 25 years, unless lawmakers end fee diversion, agency head tells Congress

The Transportation Security Administration chief told lawmakers that it will take until 2049 to deploy facial recognition technology at U.S. airports if significant revenue from the 9/11 security fee continues to be diverted away from the agency.

Artificial Intelligence

TSA is looking at using AI to improve security screening processes

Following the Department of Homeland Security's guidance, TSA is looking at ways that it can use generative AI technologies to support its officers.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers seek pause on TSA’s use of facial biometrics in FAA bill

A Senate amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill would pause additional rollout of the TSA’s facial recognition technology until Congress has reviewed the agency’s program.

Artificial Intelligence

TSA looks to AI to enhance x-ray screenings of travelers’ luggage

The Transportation Security Administration is already using facial recognition to verify the identity of travelers but wants to improve its scanners to detect more prohibited items.

Emerging Tech

How TSA’s opt-outs for biometric screenings informed White House AI policy

The Office of Management and Budget’s recent guidance on the government’s responsible use of AI elevates TSA's practice of allowing travelers to decline biometric scans at airport security to national policy.

Exclusive Digital Government

TSA survey reveals 93% of travelers satisfied with passenger experience

Even more travelers were confident in the Transportation Security Administration’s ability to keep air travel safe.

Emerging Tech

Senators move to ban TSA’s facial recognition screenings

The bipartisan proposal cited concerns about the government’s collection of biometric data.

Digital Government

TSA proposes allowing federal acceptance of digital IDs while future requirements are crafted

The coming rulemaking would waive REAL ID Act requirements so that federal agencies can still accept mobile driver's licenses when the law’s implementation starts in 2025.

Cybersecurity

TSA Considers Using Third-Party Assessors in Coming Pipeline Regulations

The agency is exercising its authority to regulate pipelines and railways after issuing a series of short-term emergency security directives.

Cybersecurity

TSA administrator says new cyber requirements in the works for aviation industry

The administrator of the Transportation Security Administration said the White House is following a similar approach to how it crafted cyber requirements for the oil and gas pipeline industry following the 2021 Colonial Pipeline attack in crafting guidelines for the aviation sector.

People

Vaccine mandate, holiday travel season loom for TSA workforce

The Transportation Security Administration told FCW that it doesn't expect the upcoming deadline for feds to comply with vaccination requirements to cause disruptions.

Cybersecurity

Senate Republicans seek IG probe of TSA pipeline directives

Republican leaders on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee are calling for an inspector general probe into how the Transportation Security Administration developed its first ever pipeline-specific security directives.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers examine TSA's growing role in cyber

Lawmakers on the Homeland Security Committee convened cybersecurity experts and key stakeholders from the transportation industry to discuss new rules in the works for the transportation sector.

People

TSA head says more union rights coming to airport screeners

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want the agency to resolve longstanding compensation issues for the frontline Transportation Security Administration workforce.

Cybersecurity

DHS recent hiring sprint shows promise, but lawmakers still see gaps in the federal cybersecurity workforce

The federal government continues to face challenges in recruiting a skilled cybersecurity workforce, amid heavy private sector demand and obstacles built into the hiring process, but there are some recent signs that longstanding efforts to improve the situation are starting to pay off.