In its National Strategy for Aviation Security, the Trump administration has called upon the government and private sector to strengthen aviation security from physical and cyber threats.

 

"The past decade has seen the rise of emergent technologies, including cyber, unmanned aircraft, and spectrum-dependent systems that generate economic and social benefits, but also challenge the safety and security of the Aviation Ecosystem," the White House said. "While safety can be built into the system by conscious design to prevent accidents or errors, security exists within an ever-changing competition with those who intend to do harm to the system. These evolving “disruptive technologies,” along with on-going traditional threats, require a new concerted approach from the Global Aviation Community of Interest to ensure the safety, security, and prosperity of the Aviation Ecosystem."

 

"Terrorists, criminals, and hostile nation-states understand well the importance of aviation to our domestic economy and they will continue to view aviation as a key target," the White House added. "Aviation is a particularly desirable target for terrorists, as an attack on a manned aircraft is a dramatic event that can harm or kill large numbers of people and garner terrorists the notoriety they seek. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the world has witnessed numerous terrorist attacks and attempted attacks that employ diverse methods that challenge our ability to detect and react with a timely response."

 

The strategy contains four objectives:

Specific actions to meet the objectives include:

 

The strategy calls on DHS, DOT, DOJ, Department of State, and other government agencies, in addition to the private sector, to achieve its goals.