Self-Service Airport Security Technology

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in November 2019 sent out a request for information on a new technology it is hoping to introduce to American airports. According to the report, the department is seeking information on a system that would enable air travelers conduct their own security screening.

• The technology is expected to work similarly to other self-service stands available to other services. Passengers would run their personal items through an X-ray machine while they themselves pass through a separate body scanner.
• The technology would then check for weapons and organic threat items hidden on passengers without the same level of transportation security officer engagement normally present in the screening process.

• The DHS believes the self-service technology is capable of improving airport security and overall passenger experience.

• The technology when available would be first made available to travelers in the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program.