Basic AVSEC key terms

The set of measures, human and material resources intended to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference. It covers passengers, crew, ground staff, aircraft, airports and supporting facilities.

Criminal or violent actions endangering the safety of civil aviation, such as hijacking, sabotage, attacks on airports, hostage-taking or placing a weapon or bomb aboard an aircraft. The term is defined in international aviation conventions.

The act of taking control of an aircraft by force, threat or intimidation, commonly called hijacking. It is one of the classic acts of unlawful interference addressed by international conventions and national law.

An international treaty on offences and certain other acts committed on board aircraft. It gives the aircraft commander authority to restrain persons posing a danger and establishes the state of registry's jurisdiction over such offences.

An international treaty that specifically addresses the unlawful seizure of aircraft, requiring states to criminalise hijacking and to either prosecute or extradite suspected offenders. It builds on the earlier Tokyo Convention.

An international treaty targeting acts of violence against civil aviation, including sabotage of aircraft and attacks on airports. It obliges states to criminalise such acts and cooperate in prosecution or extradition.

The foundational treaty establishing the International Civil Aviation Organization and the principles of international air transport. It recognises that states must protect civil aviation and provides the framework for security standards such as ICAO Annex 17.

The international standard on aviation security attached to the Chicago Convention. It sets out minimum requirements for states to protect civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference, which states then implement through their own programmes.

A state's official set of laws, regulations, standards and procedures that implement aviation security requirements across its airports and operators. It defines responsibilities and is complemented by airport-level and operator-level security programmes.

A document describing how a specific airport meets the national security requirements, including organisation, responsibilities, procedures and protective measures. It is approved and regularly reviewed by the competent authority.

A structured evaluation of what could attack aviation assets, how likely it is, and what damage it could cause. The results guide where security resources and countermeasures are prioritised.

A process combining threat, vulnerability and consequence to estimate the level of risk to an asset or activity. It helps decide which countermeasures are needed and proportionate to the risk identified.

A weakness in a system, procedure or physical barrier that could allow a threat to succeed. Identifying vulnerabilities is central to deciding where additional security measures are required.

A measure taken to prevent, detect or respond to a threat and reduce risk to an acceptable level. Examples include screening, patrols, access control, fencing and background checks on staff.

A designated zone of the airport with heightened protection, to which access is controlled and restricted to authorised persons and screened passengers. It typically includes departure areas, aprons and baggage handling areas.

The part of an airport beyond the passenger and baggage screening points, including aprons, taxiways and runways, where aircraft operate. Access is restricted because of the risk to aircraft and operations.

The publicly accessible part of an airport, such as car parks, terminal concourses before screening and public roads. Security controls there focus on public safety, surveillance and preventing unauthorised approach to restricted areas.

The system of passes, keys, codes, biometrics and procedures that decides who may enter a protected area and when. It ensures only authorised, and where required screened, persons reach security restricted areas.

A personal credential issued to staff working at an airport, showing identity, employer and the areas the holder may access. It must be worn visibly and is withdrawn when employment or authorisation ends.

A verification of a person's identity, criminal record, employment history and reliability before granting access to security areas. It is a preventive measure to reduce the insider threat.

The risk that a person with legitimate access, such as an employee or contractor, misuses that access to harm aviation. It is countered by vetting, supervision, segregation of duties and a strong security culture.

The application of technical or manual means to detect prohibited items in persons, baggage, cargo or vehicles. Screening is a detection layer and does not replace other measures such as access control.

Objects that may be used to commit an act of unlawful interference and are therefore not allowed in security restricted areas or on board. Lists are set by the national authority and include weapons, explosives and certain tools.

Baggage that a passenger carries into the aircraft cabin. It must be screened before boarding, and items that could be used as weapons are restricted or removed.

Baggage that is checked in and carried in the aircraft cargo compartment. It must be screened, and reconciliation or other measures ensure it is not carried without its accompanying passenger when required.

A process confirming that each item of hold baggage is matched to a passenger who has actually boarded the flight. It prevents unattended or suspicious bags from travelling without their owner.

Baggage or an item left without an owner in a terminal or aircraft. It must be treated as potentially dangerous until cleared, using isolation, questioning and specialist inspection.

Measures applied to goods carried by air to prevent the introduction of prohibited items, including screening, secure storage and chain-of-custody controls from known consignors and regulated agents.

A shipper whose procedures and premises have been approved as meeting security standards, allowing its cargo to be treated as secure. The status reduces the need for further screening at the airport.

A business approved by the competent authority to handle, store and secure air cargo according to defined standards. It maintains the secure chain for cargo before it is loaded onto an aircraft.

Controls applied to food, drink and supplies delivered to an aircraft to prevent concealment of prohibited items. It includes screening, sealing, escorting and monitoring of deliveries to the aircraft.

A systematic inspection of an aircraft cabin, holds and accessible compartments to detect prohibited items or sabotage before flight. It may be targeted, partial or full depending on the threat level.

Physical reinforcement and locking procedures on the flight deck door that prevent unauthorised entry during flight. It is a key defence against hijacking and must be managed with crew procedures.

An armed security officer travelling on a flight to deter or respond to an act of unlawful interference. Deployment is based on threat assessment and governed by national rules.

A prepared set of procedures and resources for responding to emergencies such as hijacking, bomb threats or sabotage. It assigns roles, communications and actions, and is tested through regular exercises.

A communication, real or false, claiming an explosive device is present. It triggers a defined response including assessment, search, possible evacuation and liaison with police and emergency services.

The coordinated command and decision-making structure used during a major security incident. It links the airport, operators, police and government to ensure clear leadership, information flow and recovery.

The immediate actions taken by airport staff and emergency services after an incident or alarm, such as evacuation, first aid and securing the scene. It is practised through drills and exercises.

The shared attitudes, values and behaviours that make everyone take security seriously in daily work. It relies on reporting, learning from mistakes and leadership commitment rather than rules alone.

A working environment in which staff feel safe to report errors and concerns without fear of unfair blame, while reckless or deliberate wrongdoing is still addressed. It supports honest reporting and continuous improvement.

The physical, psychological and organisational conditions that influence how people perform security tasks. Factors such as fatigue, workload, training and supervision affect detection reliability and must be managed.

Planned checks and tests that verify security measures actually work as intended, such as covert tests, audits and inspections. Results drive corrective action and continuous improvement of the security system.

A specific inspection or test used to confirm that a person, item or area meets security requirements. It can refer to staff vetting checks or to inspections of aircraft and facilities.