| a day as indelibly imprinted in memory as the | | | | of which makes airports' retrieval of huge amounts |
| bombing of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of | | | | of footage more efficient. Also, a special software |
| President John F. Kennedy, or the explosion of Space | | | | can be used with airport security systems to |
| Shuttle Challenger. Indeed, who could forget the | | | | observe objects and their actions in the airport |
| events of September 11, 2001? On that day, | | | | terminals. When actions stray from "normal" behavior, |
| terrorists flew a hijacked commercial jet airliner into | | | | security is informed. Lastly, extreme security |
| each of the World Trade Center towers. A third | | | | cameras can transform security cameras into infrared |
| hijacked airliner flew into the Pentagon, while a fourth | | | | cameras. This allows images to be captured at any |
| one crashed in the state of Pennsylvania. Immediately | | | | time of the day, in any weather. |
| after 9-11, all U.S. commercial and private flights were | | | | A Hot Issue |
| grounded. In the years after 9-11, airport and aircraft | | | | Are airports doing enough with their cameras and |
| security was heightened to sky-high levels. Security | | | | gadgets? Some technology experts have argued that |
| cameras play a leading role in this war against terror. | | | | perhaps the terrorists who participated in the 9-11 |
| The First Line of Defense | | | | attacks could have been arrested in various airports. |
| Since 9-11, countries have poured heaps of money | | | | This, they claim, would have been possible had |
| into airport security. They want travelers in airports | | | | security systems been more advanced. They note |
| to feel safe from the time they walk up to the | | | | that three of the 19 suspects in the attacks on the |
| security check-in to the moment they step off of | | | | Pentagon and World Trade Center were included on |
| the plane. In particular, airport security camera | | | | the U.S. government's "watch lists." Many experts are |
| systems have undergone several significant | | | | supporting the use of biometrics, which is technology |
| transformations. The most effective ones include not | | | | involving face-recognition. Others are fighting for the |
| only the airports themselves, but also the airport's | | | | use of security cameras in the cabins of all |
| perimeter and every aircraft in the airport. Both | | | | commercial flights. |
| hidden and non-hidden security cameras allow the | | | | While the public wholeheartedly supports added |
| crew to observe everyone who boards the planes, | | | | airport security to prevent terrorist attacks, some |
| thereby increasing aircraft safety. Also, various | | | | people are concerned about the possibility of |
| countries use security cameras in different capacities. | | | | technology infringing on people's privacy or other |
| In Washington D.C., the U.S. capital, several video | | | | Constitutional rights. They believe that the situation |
| monitors that observe a network of hundreds of | | | | could resemble Orwell's "1984," in which a Big Brother |
| government video cameras, including those at national | | | | government is constantly monitoring people's |
| airports, are stationed in a police command center. In | | | | thoughts and actions. For example, many advocacy |
| Singapore, there are plans to install hundreds of | | | | groups are concerned that databases of suspected |
| surveillance cameras throughout Changi International | | | | terrorists could also include non-terrorist criminals, or |
| Airport. The purpose for these cameras is to | | | | worse, anyone with a driver's license. |
| observe questionable packages and to constantly | | | | In a post 9-11 world, using improved security |
| observe passengers' actions. | | | | cameras in airports is definitely justifiable in keeping |
| Tools of the Trade | | | | similar attacks grounded. Expect, however, the |
| Several new technological tools have improved the | | | | debate about where and to what extent security |
| use of security cameras in airports. For example, a | | | | cameras will be used in airports and airplanes to |
| digital video recorder, or DVR, server is invaluable to | | | | continue. After all, matters involving security are not |
| airports. DVR servers can be put into various modes, | | | | concerns to be trifled with. |
| such as air mode, ground mode, and parking mode, all | | | | |