Security chiefs outline perimeter protection challenge

Protecting airport perimeters is more of a challenge than protecting terminals, according to security chiefs discussing the impact of the alleged incident at Glasgow International Airport, Scotland, on 30 June 2007.

Robert van den Bergh, head of security operations at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, told the recent ACI Europe Airport Exchange in Madrid, Spain, that one of his first moves after hearing of the Glasgow incident was to look at ways to channel traffic away from terminal buildings.

More bollards have been introduced to prevent any unauthorised vehicles getting through checkpoints from building up speed. These included the positioning of huge concrete flower boxes, which had the advantage of "looking very friendly", he said. Smart cameras are also being tested to check on the registration plates of all cars arriving at the airport - a system that is directly linked to a police database.

The main worry, however, is safeguarding against the possibility of an attack through the perimeter fence, which at Schiphol is 55 km long. There are regular patrols, but "you can't control the whole perimeter", van den Bergh said, adding: "You can't be there all the time."

He continued: "We are still looking for the best [camera] system." Schiphol hopes to install one within the next two years.

Another early move at Schiphol in the wake of the Glasgow incident was to close the executive parking area under one of the terminals. This is to be rebuilt in another location. 243 of 727 words