Why is TSA pursing an Open Architecture screening environment?

TSA is challenged with the need to establish solutions for 55,000 officers who screen over 2 million passengers per day at over 430 federalized airports with nearly 1,500 checked baggage systems and 680 checkpoints with 2,360 lanes. The security screening system is highly complex with limited data or interface standardization. Lack of standardization presents barriers to TSA achieving the desired security posture and hinders its ability to rapidly deploy innovative screening solutions to the field to respond to the evolving threat environment. This has put ever increasing burden on our frontline officers to perform the critical screening function with cumbersome procedures, complex training, and varying user interfaces. It is imperative that solutions be standards-based to support interoperability and allow for partnerships across the security industry while providing the frontline workforce with the tools they need to perform the mission.