Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (Security Science) Honours

School

School of Computer and Information Science

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

First Supervisor

David Cook

Abstract

Security in the aviation environment is an evolving concept. Security risk profiling is an issue of significant importance in the aviation spectrum. This study examined the profiling undertaken on Australia’s bio-security border, with specific attention given to the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and the officers that use risk-based profiling within the complex environment found on the border—and how effectiveness is impacted by time. Aviation security is a real and current issue for Australia and the international community as a whole. Given recent outbreaks, and the relative ease of international air travel, of such pests and diseases (SARS, Swine Flu, Avian Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease) in countries around the globe, the risk assessment process at the border is of vital importance. Failure in this context could result in significant, critical impacts to the Australian environment and economy. This study examined the efficacy of border-profiling techniques, and how those techniques are impacted by time, behaviour and risk attitude under certain circumstances. The objective was to obtain an accurate empirical understanding of the impact, effectiveness and risk attitude in both officers and clients profiling interactions in the Australian bio-security border under certain circumstances. Those circumstances were placed in context of behaviour altering due to time restrictions. From the literature reviewed, as well as the results of the study, it is clear that there is an impact upon effectiveness given restrictions under certain conditions, such as time. This impact exposed incoming passengers to greater levels of scrutiny during busier months, in order to adequately intercept non-compliant individuals. Clearly, the time-restricted environment impacts the ideal profile. The farther from the perceived ideal, based on statistical profiles or not, the likelier it is that non-ideal objects would be considered for scrutiny. This unnecessary scrutiny is only exacerbated in periods of intense activity within the complex environment.

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