Security
GASeP, Security policy and related guidance
The provision of analytical products to the Regional Offices included detailed information on progress in meeting the GASeP aspirational targets and highlighted region-wide challenges in successfully implementing aspects of Annex 17 –
Security. The wide distribution of the ICAO
Aviation Security Global Risk Context Statement (Doc 10108— Restricted) and the Updated Overview of Threats and Risks to Civil Aviation, which includes an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on civil aviation security, as published in September 2020, have greatly improved understanding of the risk methodology, threats and viable countermeasures, as well as the adoption of innovative approaches to mitigate risk.
The Thirty-first Meeting of the Aviation Security Panel (AVSECP/31) was held virtually from 14 to 17 December 2020.
On 5 November 2020, the first edition of the Cybersecurity Action Plan was published. The Cybersecurity Action Plan aims at supporting States and stakeholders in implementing the Aviation Cybersecurity Strategy.
Work continued in 2020 on the Feasibility Study on the Mechanism to Address Cybersecurity in ICAO. The key purpose of the feasibility study is to identify the most viable solution for the continuation of ICAO work in the field of cybersecurity and to appropriately identify the challenges and needs of ICAO and its Member States in this domain. To support the development of the study, a Small Working Group composed of Council Representatives and Air Navigation Commission Members was established to further consider the work and present it to Council for further deliberation and decision-making.
Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP-CMA)
During 2020, the USAP-CMA conducted three on-site audits prior to 13 March 2020, as well as one validation mission to evaluate the resolution of Significant Security Concerns (SSeCs). Also over the course of the year, four documentation-based audits were carried out. During the on-site audits, five Significant Security Concerns (SSeCs) were identified in three States. Of these, one was addressed by the State concerned prior to being published on the USAP secure portal, two others were published, and two are pending confirmation of their resolution. A total of nineteen unresolved SSeCs in eight States remain posted on the portal. The latest version of the USAP-CMA Analysis of Audit Results booklet (Ninth Edition) was made available under the “Audit Analysis” section of the USAP secure website. As at 31 December 2020, 179 States had signed the MoU regarding the USAP CMA.
Implementation and capacity-building
In 2020, two new workshops have been developed: the
ICAO Insider Risk Workshop, which combines the ICAO AVSEC risk management methodology with a focus on mitigating the insider threat; and the
ICAO Security Culture Workshop, which will help Member States and organizations to build and implement a robust security culture.
A comprehensive update and revision of existing ICAO aviation security training materials has been completed to reflect the most recent editions of Annex 17 –
Security and the ICAO Aviation Security Manual (Doc 8973 – Restricted).
Seven aviation security training courses, six aviation security workshops and one ICAO aviation security instructor certification session through the ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre (ASTC) Network were delivered.
AVSEC Week 2020 and launch of Year of Security Culture 2021
The ICAO Global Aviation Security Symposium 2020 (AVSEC2020) adopted the theme of “Improving Security Culture by Connection the Dots”. This is dovetailed with the launch of the
Year of Security Culture in 2021.
The Symposium highlighted the importance of raising security awareness in aviation, with experts sharing best practices for the development of a strong and effective security culture.
ICAO security culture tools and resources, including an ICAO Security Culture Campaign Starter Pack, have been made available, free of charge, on the
ICAO Security Culture website.
