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Audits, Inspections, and Evaluations

Report Number Title Issue Date Fiscal Year
OIG-14-138 In 2007,TSA began deploying advanced imaging technology to screen airline passengers for weapons, explosives, and other concealed objects. In 2009 and 2010, TSA used American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to purchase 251 Secure 1000SP advanced imaging technology units from Rapiscan Systems. By June 2013, TSA had removed the units from service because the company could not develop enhanced software to enable the units to comply with the privacy requirements of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Rapiscan Systems assumed all costs associated with their removal and storage. In May 2013, Representative Bennie Thompson requested that we review TSA’s management of its advanced imaging technology inventory. Specifically, Mr. Thompson requested that we review the removal and potential redistribution of the noncompliant units, and related costs.

>TSA’s Management of Secure 1000SP Advanced Imaging Technology Units 		2014
OIG-14-132 We audited security controls for Department of Homeland Security Information technology systems at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Four Department components—the Management Directorate, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—Operate information technology systems that support homeland security operations at this airport. Our audit focused on how these components have implemented computer security operational, technical, and management controls for their systems at the airport and nearby locations.

>Audit of Security Controls for DHS Information Technology Systems at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 		2014
OIG-14-98 We contracted with the independent public accounting firm KPMG LLP (KPMG) to conduct the audit of Department of Homeland Security fiscal year 2013 consolidated financial statements. The contract required that KPMG perform its audit according to generally accepted government auditing standards and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget and the Government Accountability Office. KPMG is responsible for the attached management letter dated March 11, 2014, and the conclusion expressed in it.

>Information Technology Management Letter for the Transportation Security Administration Component of the FY 2013 Department of Homeland Security Financial Statement Audit 		2014
OIG-14-79 We contracted with the independent public accounting firm KPMG LLP (KPMG) to conduct the audit of the DHS’ FY 2013 financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. The contract required that KPMG perform its audit according to generally accepted government auditing standards and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget and the Government Accountability Office. KPMG is responsible for the attached management letter dated January 15, 2014, and the conclusions expressed in it.

>Transportation Security Administration's Management Letter for FY 2013 DHS Financial Statements Audit 		2014
OIG-13-120 TSA began deploying advanced imaging technology in 2007 and accelerated its deployment after the attempted airplane bombing on December 25, 2009. In 2012, Representative John Mica requested that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) conduct an audit to determine whether TSA is effectively deploying advanced imaging technology and is fully utilizing the equipment at airports. TSA created and followed deployment schedules. However, it did not develop a comprehensive deployment strategy to ensure all advanced imaging technology units were effectively deployed and fully used for screening passengers.

>Transportation Security Administration’s Deployment and Use of Advanced Imaging Technology (Revised) 		2014
OIG-13-123 The Office of Inspection in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) conducts inspections, internal reviews, and covert testing to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of TSA's operations and administrative activities, and to identify vulnerabilities in TSA security systems. Additionally, the office carries out internal investigations of theTSA workforce to ensure its integrity. We conducted an audit of this office to determine whether it is efficient and effective in its efforts to enhance transportation security. The Office of Inspection did not operate efficiently. Specifically, the office did not use its staff and resources efficiently to conduct ost ‐ effective inspections, internal reviews, and covert testing. The office employed personnel classified as “criminal investigators,” even though their primary duties may not have been criminal investigations as required by Federal law and regulations.

>Transportation Security Administration Office of Inspection’s Efforts To Enhance Transportation Security 		2013
OIG-13-111 The National Infrastructure Protection Plan stipulates that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) coordinate preparedness activities among ransportation sector partners to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from all hazards that could affect U.S. transportation systems. TSA, with the collaboration and coordination of other Federal agencies and the surface transportation industry, created the Surface Transportation Research and development Working Group. The group’s mission is to gather and consolidate sector-directed research and development efforts from all transportation security partners. It identifies security vulnerabilities—capability gaps—and refers them to DHS Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) for further review and possible initiation of research and development projects.

>Research and Development Efforts to Secure Rail Transit Systems 		2013
OIG-13-101 We conducted a follow-up audit to determine TSA’s progress in establishing key information technology management capabilities to support mission needs. Appendix A describes the audit’s scope and methodology. The TSA Chief Information Officer has established key information technology management capabilities to support TSA’s mission. Specifically, the Chief Information Officer updated the information technology strategic plan, implemented a systems engineering life cycle process to manage information technology programs, implemented information technology acquisition review processes, and developed an enterprise architecture. Not all information technology procurements, however, have gone through the information technology acquisition review process because they were not categorized as information technology procurements. As a result, there is little assurance that all information technology investments are aligned with the Chief Information Officer’s strategy or TSA’s future information technology mission needs.

>Transportation Security Administration Information Technology Management Progress and Challenges 		2013
OIG-13-99 As of January 2013, 16 airports were participating in the Screening Partnership Program. Under the program, an airport operator may apply to use a private company to screen passengers and baggage rather than use Federal Government screening personnel. TSA reviews and approves applications to participate, awards contracts to private screening companies, and oversees the private screening workforce. We performed this audit to determine whether TSA administered the Screening Partnership Program in accordance with Federal regulations.

>Transportation Security Administration’s Screening Partnership Program 		2013
OIG-13-91 We audited the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques program. The program’s intent is to screen passengers by observing their behavior in order to detect potential high-risk travelers. This program uses Behavior Detection Officers to detect passenger behaviors that may be indicative of stress, fear, or deception. Congressman Bennie Thompson requested an audit of TSA’s Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques program to determine its effectiveness, efficiency, and economy as a security screening protocol at airports. The audit objective was to determine whether TSA’s Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques program is structured to ensure that passengers at U.S. airports are screened in an objective and cost-effective manner to identify potential terrorists.

>Transportation Security Administration’s Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (Redacted) 		2013
OIG-13-82 The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operates three warehouses in Texas, collectively known as the TSA Logistics Center. The warehouses store various types of Government equipment used at airports to screen passengers and baggage. Equipment used at airports, but not specifically used for screening operations, is also stored in the warehouses. As of May 31, 2012, TSA had more than 17,000 items in its warehouse inventory, with an estimated cost of $185.7 million. We performed this audit to determine whether TSA effectively managed the Logistics Center.

>Transportation Security Administration Logistics Center – Inventory Management 		2013
OIG-13-78 We have audited the balance sheet of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) as of September 30, 2012, and the related statements of net cost, changes in net position, and custodial activity, and combined statement of budgetary resources for the year then ended (referred to as the “fiscal year (FY) 2012 financial statements”). We were also engaged to audit the Department’s internal control over financial reporting of the FY 2012 financial statements. The objective of our audit engagement was to express an opinion on the fair presentation of the FY 2012 financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the FY 2012 financial statements.

>Information Technology Management Letter for the Transportation Security Administration Component of the FY 2012 Department of Homeland Security Financial Statement Audit 		2013
OIG-13-79 We have audited the balance sheet of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) as of September 30, 2012 and the related statements of net cost, changes in net position and custodial activity, and combined statement of budgetary resources for the year then ended (referred to herein as the fiscal year (FY) 2012 financial statements”). The objective of our audit was to express an opinion on the fair presentation of these financial statements. We were also ngaged to examine the Department’s internal control over financial reporting of the FY 2012 financial statements, based on the criteria established in Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Circular No. A-123, Management’s Responsibility for Internal Control, Appendix A.

>Transportation Security Administration’s Management Letter for FY 2012 DHS Consolidated Financial Statements Audit 		2013
OIG-13-42 TSA reported that 446 airports currently are responsible for issuing badges to employees for access to secured areas of the airports. As of August 27, 2012, TSA reported that approximately 3.7 million badged employees had access to secured areas within the Nation’s airports. The badge vetting process is initiated when the airport transfers an applicant’s biographical and fingerprint information to a Designated Aviation Channeler (DAC), referred to in our report as a vendor. The vendor ensures that the information is properly formatted and complete before relaying the information to TSA for vetting against Federal criminal and immigration databases. Appendix C provides more details about the Aviation Channeling Services Provider (ACSP) process.

>Transportation Security Administration’s Aviation Channeling Services Provider Project 		2013
OIG-13-14 his report is the result of a June 2011 letter from Congressman John L. Mica, U.S. House of Representatives, requesting that we provide updated information on our 2008 report, Transportation Security Administration’s National Deployment Force. The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) National Deployment Force officers support airport screening operations during emergencies, seasonal demands, severe weather conditions, or increased passenger activity equiring additional screening personnel above those normally available to airports. In addition, officers may support other TSA functions as described in table 1 of our report.

>TSA’s National Deployment Force – FY 2012 Follow-Up 		2013
OIG-13-05 The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing Office was established as the lead for conducting security threat assessments and credentialing initiatives for domestic passengers on public and commercial modes of transportation, transportation industry workers, and individuals seeking access to critical infrastructure. Two programs, the Secure Flight Operations Center and the Security Threat Assessment Operations Adjudication Center, were established to conduct case-specific adjudications of potential threats to transportation security. In 2010, TSA initiated an administration-wide restructuring that includes reviewing all personnel position descriptions and realigning Transportation Threat Assessment and credentialing Office functions under other TSA offices.

>Personnel Security and Internal Control at TSA’s Legacy Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing Office 		2013
OIG-12-128  

>TSA Management and Oversight at Honolulu International Airport (Redacted) 		2012
OIG-12-129 Costs Invoiced for Checked Baggage Inspection Systems and Closed-Circuit Television Cameras at Orlando International Airport 2012
OIG-12-120  

>Transportation Security Administration Has Taken Steps To Address the Insider Threat But Challenges Remain (Redacted) 		2012
OIG-12-121  

>Costs Invoiced by the Omaha Airport Authority for Closed Circuit Television Cameras at Omaha Eppley Airfield Airport 		2012
OIG-12-123 Costs Invoiced by Sacramento County for a Checked Baggage Screening Project Under Agreement Number HSTS04-09-H-REC148 2012
OIG-12-103  

>Efficiency and Effectiveness of TSA's Visible Intermodel Prevention and Response Program Within Rail and Mass Transit Systems (Redacted) 		2012
OIG-12-105  

> Costs Invoiced by the City of Phoenix for Checked Baggage Screening Projects at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 		2012
OIG-12-99  

>Circumstances Surrounding the Issuance of a Security Clearance and Suitability Determination to a General Manager at TSA’s Legacy Threat Assessment and Credentialing Office 		2012
OIG-12-94  

>Implementation and Coordination of TSA’s Secure Flight Program (Redacted)  		2012
OIG-12-96  

>Review of Allegations of Misconduct and Mismanagement Within TSA’s Office of Global Strategies (Redacted) 		2012
OIG-12-80  

>Transportation Security Administration’s Efforts To Identify and Track Security Breaches at Our Nation’s Airports 		2012
OIG-12-76  

>Review of Costs Invoiced by the Spokane Airport Board for Closed Circuit Television Cameras at Spokane International Airport Under Other Transaction Agreement Number HSTS04-09-H-REC304 Awarded by the Transportation Security Administration 		2012
OIG-12-60  

>Review of Costs Invoiced by the City of Atlanta for a Checked Baggage Screening Project At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport 		2012
OIG-12-53  

>TSA’s Management Letter for FY 2011 DHS Consolidated Financial Statements Audit 		2012
OIG-12-47  

>IT Management Letter for the Transportation Security Administration Component of the FY 2011 DHS Financial Statement Audit 		2012
OIG-12-45  

>Technical Security Evaluation of DHS Activities at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Redacted) 		2012
OIG-12-44 Review of Costs Invoiced by the City of San Antonio Relating to the San Antonio International Airport Terminal B Checked Baggage Screening Project Under Other Transaction Agreement Number HSTS04-09-H-REC168 Awarded by the Transportation Security Administration

>Review of Costs Invoiced by the City of San Antonio Relating to the San Antonio International Airport Terminal B Checked Baggage Screening Project 		2012
OIG-12-41  

>Review of Costs Invoiced by Jackson Hole Airport Board Relating to Jackson Hole Airport Checked Baggae Screening Project Under Other Transaction Agreement Number HSTSo4-09-H-REC-125 Awarded by TSA 		2012
OIG-12-40  

>Costs Invoiced by San Jose for a Checked Baggage Screening Project at the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport 		2012
OIG-12-38  

>Transportation Security Administration's Use of Back Scatter Units 		2012
OIG-12-28  

>Allegations of Misconduct and Illegal Discrimination and Retaliation in the Federal Air Marshal Service 		2012
OIG-12-26  

>(U) Covert Testing of Access Controls to Secured Airport Areas 		2012
OIG-12-06 (U) TSA Penetration Testing of Advanced Imaging Technology 2012
OIG-11-104  

>Review of Costs Invoiced by the City of San Francisco Relating to the Terminal 2 Checked Baggage Screening Project at San Francisco International Airport Under Other Transaction Agreement Number HSTS04-09-H-REC123 		2011
OIG-11-99  

>Improvements in Patch and Configuration Management Controls Can Better Protect TSA’s Wireless Network and Devices (Redacted) 		2011
OIG-11-95  

>TSA's Oversight of the Airport Badging Process Needs Improvement (Redacted) 		2011
OIG-11-96  

>Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Vetting of Airmen Certificates and General Aviation Airport Access and Security Procedures 		2011
OIG-11-93  

>DHS Grants Used for Mitigating Risks to Amtrak Rail Stations (Redacted) 		2011
OIG-11-73  

>Information Technology Management Letter for the Transportation Security Administration Component of the FY 2010 DHS Financial Statement Audit 		2011
OIG-11-58  

>Transportation Security Administration's Management Letter for FY 2010 DHS Consolidated Financial Statements Audit 		2011
OIG-11-47  

>DHS Department-wide Management of Detection Equipment 		2011
OIG-11-19 Ability to Communicate with Federal Air Marshals While in Mission Status 2011
OIG-11-05 Transportation Security Administration's Management of Its Screening Workforce Training Program Can Be Improved 2011
OIG-10-119  

>Evaluation of Screening of Air Cargo Transported on Passenger Aircraft 		2010

*NDAA, Pub. L. 117-263, section 5274 Response Received. View responses

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