DHS OIG Highlights - Covert Testing of Access Controls to Airport Secure Areas - Report Summary

Sep 18, 2026

This report presents an unclassified summary of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General's findings regarding covert testing of access controls at secure airport areas. Conducted in February 2019, the audit aimed to evaluate whether the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and relevant stakeholders effectively maintained security protocols. The investigation identified critical vulnerabilities in access control points and procedures. The OIG issued six recommendations concerning standard operating procedures, technological deployment, industry best practices, and personnel training, all of which were accepted by TSA management to enhance the integrity of airport security infrastructure.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Audit Objective and Scope

Findings and Vulnerabilities

Recommendations and Management Response

Contact Information

FAQs

What was the primary objective of this OIG investigation?

The investigation aimed to determine if the TSA and relevant airport stakeholders were effectively implementing procedures to safeguard secure areas at the nation's airports.

What were the major findings of the report?

The audit identified significant vulnerabilities in various airport access control points and the associated procedures currently in place for these sensitive locations.

How many recommendations did the OIG make in this report?

The OIG made six recommendations focusing on standard operating procedures, new technology deployment, industry best practices, and enhanced training, all of which the TSA concurred with.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Aria Callaghan