Τhe FLYSEC project addressed the European Union’s research priority for improving the aviation security chain and aligned with the roadmap and recommendations reflected within the IATA/ACI Smart Security programme. FLYSEC facilitates the three main principles specified in Smart Security: strengthened security, increased operational efficiency and improved passenger experience.
FLYSEC project main achievement was to provide the first implementation of the ACI/IATA Smart Security Joint Programme recommendations in the context of H2020 and European Security Research and effectively deliver the corresponding proof of concept and in airport environment validation.
FLYSEC, a research and innovation project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, developed and demonstrated an innovative, integrated and end-to-end airport security process for passengers, while enabling a guided and streamlined procedure from landside to airside and into the boarding gates, and offering for the first time an operationally validated innovative concept for end-to-end aviation security.
FLYSEC activities included:
• An innovative process facilitating risk-based screening to achieve a measurable increase of throughput at airports,
• The deployment and integration of new technologies and repurposing existing solutions towards a risk-based security paradigm shift,
• The improvement of passenger facilitation and customer service, bringing Security as a Service into the airport of tomorrow.
FLYSEC achieved implementing a seamless risk-based security process combining the deployed surveillance technologies with behavioural analysis and innovative cognitive algorithms. A key aspect in the design of the FLYSEC risk-based security is applying ethical-by-design patterns, maximizing the efficiency of security controls through passenger differentiation ranging from “casual” to “enhanced”, while remaining ethical and fair in the process. Policy, regulatory and standardization aspects were examined in the context of FLYSEC innovative security concept.
By involving technologies from different Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), including in-project prototype development, as well as adaptation and extension of more mature solutions or re-purposing of commercial products, FLYSEC validated the operational value of the provided solution through pilot test in a real operational environment.
FLYSEC initially performed a Proof of Concept test at Schönhagen Airport of Berlin, followed by a final field test at Luxembourg International Airport. The latter was executed in a real operational environment involving active security personnel. The successful Lux Airport field test marked the first implementation of SMART SECURITY within the EU Programme for Research and Innovation.
