SSP Transportation Security Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which program requires shippers of hazardous materials to develop security plans addressing en-route security?
- PHMSA HM-232 rulemaking (Correct answer)
- TSA Prohibited Items List
- CBP ACE Manifest System
- FMCSA Safety Rating Program
Correct answer: PHMSA HM-232 rulemaking
HM-232 rulemaking by PHMSA requires security plans for hazmat shippers, including route analysis and en-route security measures.
Question 2: In transportation security, what does 'security-sensitive information' (SSI) primarily protect?
- Classified military intelligence
- Vulnerability and threat information related to transportation systems (Correct answer)
- Employee personal data under HIPAA
- Financial records of transportation companies
Correct answer: Vulnerability and threat information related to transportation systems
SSI protects information that, if disclosed, could be used to circumvent transportation security measures or facilitate an attack.
Question 3: A transportation security officer discovers an unattended bag in a terminal. What is the correct initial action under standard protocols?
- Immediately open the bag to identify the owner
- Notify supervisors and clear the area per the facility emergency plan (Correct answer)
- Post a sign and continue normal duties
- Contact TSA headquarters before taking any action
Correct answer: Notify supervisors and clear the area per the facility emergency plan
Unattended bags are treated as potential threats; the immediate action is to notify supervisors and initiate area clearance per the emergency response plan.
Question 4: Which international body developed the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for aviation security?
- UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) (Correct answer)
- WTO Trade Facilitation Committee
- Interpol Aviation Security Division
Correct answer: ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)
ICAO develops and publishes SARPs under Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention, setting global aviation security standards.
Question 5: The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program primarily applies to which workforce?
- Commercial airline pilots only
- Maritime facility and vessel workers requiring unescorted access to secure areas (Correct answer)
- All federal transportation employees
- Truck drivers transporting household goods
Correct answer: Maritime facility and vessel workers requiring unescorted access to secure areas
TWIC provides a tamper-resistant biometric credential to maritime workers requiring unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities.
Question 6: Under TSA's Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) program, teams are deployed to conduct what type of activity?
- Undercover investigations of smuggling networks
- Random, unpredictable security operations across multiple transportation modes (Correct answer)
- Annual compliance audits of air carriers
- Background checks for transportation workers
Correct answer: Random, unpredictable security operations across multiple transportation modes
VIPR teams conduct random, unpredictable security operations across surface, maritime, and aviation transportation nodes to deter and detect threats.
Question 7: Which element is a mandatory component of a Vessel Security Plan (VSP) under MTSA?
- Crew uniform specifications
- Security drills and exercises schedule (Correct answer)
- Revenue reporting procedures
- Vessel maintenance logs
Correct answer: Security drills and exercises schedule
MTSA-regulated vessels must include drills, exercises, and training schedules in their Vessel Security Plans to ensure readiness.
SSP Transportation Security Standards 3
Which program requires shippers of hazardous materials to develop security plans addressing en-route security?