TSA Could Improve Its Oversight of Airport Controls over Access Media Badges - Sensitive Security Information

Sep 18, 2026

TSA is tasked with reducing transportation security vulnerabilities by ensuring airports have adequate controls for approving, issuing, and accounting for access media badges. Based on testing and special inspections, airports do not always properly account for these badges after issuance. TSA’s reliance on information reported by airports limits oversight, and expanded testing of additional badge controls would strengthen monitoring of unaccounted-for employee badges. Improved oversight and wider adoption of airport best practices help mitigate risks to airport security.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

TSA Could Improve Its Oversight of Airport Controls over Access Media Badges

Why We Did This Inspection

What We Recommend

Background

Access Media Badge Issuance and Accountability

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TSA Could Improve ItsOversight of AirportControls over AccesSMedia Badges (Redacted) DHS OIG HIGHLIGHTS # TSA Could Improve Its Oversight of AirportControls over Access Media Badges What We Found ## Why WeDid ThisInspection Based on its comprehensive and targetedinspections,TSA has asserted that mostairports adequately control badges foremployees working in nonpublic areas.However,from the results of specialinspections conducted by TSA in 2015,aswell as our own testing,we conclude thatairports do not always properly account forthese badges after they are issued.TSA’scurrent inspection practice of relying oninformation reported by airports aboutaccess media badges limits its oversight ofbadge controls.By testing more controls,which are designed to curtail the number ofunaccounted for badges,TSA couldstrengthen its oversight of airports.Improved oversight by TSA,includingencouraging wider use of airports'bestpractices,would help mitigate the risks toairport security posed by unaccounted foremployee badges. In February 2015,nationalnews outlets reported thatbadges used by individualsworking at airports to accessnonpublic areas of the airportwere missing and could pose asecurity threat.We sought todetermine whether theTransportation SecurityAdministration (TSA)adequately oversees selectedbadge controls at airports andthus mitigates the riskassociated with lost,stolen,and unaccounted for badges. ## What WeRecommend TSA Response We made three TSA concurred with the recommendationsand began taking corrective actions. recommendations to improveTSA’s oversight of airportbadge controls. For Further Information: Contact our Office of Public Affairs at(202)254-4100,or email us atDHS-OIG.OfficePublicAffairs@oig.dhs.gov www.oig.dhs.gov OIG-17-04 SENSITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION WARNING:This record contains Sensitive Security Information that is controlled under 49CFR parts 15and 1520.No part of this record may be diselosed to persons without a"need to know",as defined in 49CFR parts 15 and 1520,exeept with the written permission of the Administrator of the TransportationSeeurity Administration or the Seeretary of Transportation.Unauthorized release may result in civilpenalty or other aetion.For U.S.government ageneies,publie diselosure is governed by 5 U.S.C.552 and49 CFR parts 15 and 1520. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Washington,DC 20528/www.oig.dhs.gov October 14,2016 MEMORANDUM FOR:The Honorable Peter NeffengerAdministratorTransportation Security Administration FROM:John RothYomInspector General ## SUBJECT: # TSA Could Improve Its Oversight of Airport Controls overAccess Media Badges-Sensitive Security Information For your action is our final report,TSA Could Improve Its Oversight of AirportControls over Access Media Badges-Sensitive Security Information.Weincorporated the formal comments provided by your office. The report contains three recommendations aimed at improving TSA's oversightof airport badge controls.Your office concurred with the three recommendations.Based on information provided in your response to the draftreport,we consider all three recommendations open and resolved.Once youroffice has fully implemented the recommendations,please submit a formalcloseout letter to us within 30 days so that we may close the recommendations.The memorandum should be accompanied by evidence of completion of agreed-upon corrective actions.Please send your response or closure request toOIGInspectionsFollowup@oig.dhs.gov. Consistent with our responsibility under the Inspector General Act,we willprovide copies of our report to congressional committees with oversight andappropriation responsibility over the Department of Homeland Security.We willpost a redacted version of the report on our website. Please call me with any questions,or your staff may contact Anne L.Richards,Assistant Inspector General for Inspections and Evaluations,at(202)254-4100. # Background

FAQs

Why did the inspection focus on access media badge oversight at airports?

The inspection addressed concerns reported by national news in February 2015 and evaluated whether TSA adequately oversees selected badge controls to mitigate risks from lost, stolen, and unaccounted-for badges.

What limitation affects TSA’s oversight of badge controls?

TSA’s current inspection practice relies on information airports provide about access media badge controls, which limits TSA’s oversight effectiveness.

How could TSA strengthen its oversight, according to the report?

By testing more controls designed to reduce the number of unaccounted-for badges and encouraging wider use of airports’ best practices, TSA can better mitigate security risks from missing employee badges.

Sep 18, 2026

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