State's self assessment - Assessing Security Culture

The following questions can help assess if an effective security culture exists at your airport/s. The questions can be built into local quality control and assurance processes, as well as training courses and workshops.

To download a fillable version of the self assessment tool including an answer scale, please select the language preferred below.

1. Is security an organization priority and a core value of the airport?
2. Are there policies and procedures in place that define security culture i.e. a Vision/Mission Statement with a description of what effective security looks like?
3. Do staff know how their work contributes to the overall security of the airport and its users?
4. Are security threats and risks properly understood at all levels (up to and including senior managers)?
5. Do managers promote an effective security culture by visibly endorsing and executing security initiatives i.e. do they lead by example?
6. Are there written records of agreed security standards and procedures? And are these records easily accessed by staff?
7. Are staff given the resources and time that they need to comply with security measures?
8. Are all staff appropriately and regularly vetted?
9. Are staff airport passes visible at all times? And if not, are staff being challenged?
10. Do all staff and passengers pass through security screening?
11. Do training materials (including refresher training materials) contain a description of the current threat to aviation and security processes?
12. Does training build in positive security culture best practices?
13. Are there posters and/or other communication campaigns around the airport promoting positive security behaviours e.g. reminding staff and visitors to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity immediately?
14. Do management communicate with all staff on security issues e.g. through written communications and staff announcements?
15. Are security messages (including security alerts and security announcements) a regular feature of internal/external airport communications? Are these messages also designed to deter those conducting or considering conducting hostile reconnaissance?
16. Are there processes in place to enable and encourage staff to report security-related incidents (with the option of anonymity)?
17. Are staff provided the opportunity to suggest ways in which security could be improved e.g. through staff surveys (question sets), feedback boxes, interviews, workshops, peer reviews?
18. Is there a process that provides regular (at least annual) feedback to security officers on their work programme?
19. Do staff (including security officers) receive recognition from managers for positively contributing to security?
20. Is there good cooperation, support and communication within teams of security officers? And do security officers and managers consider themselves to be part of a team?