Introduction
On the morning of September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The attacks resulted in the creation of the Transportation Security Administration, designed to prevent similar attacks in the future. Driven by a desire to help our nation, tens of thousands of people joined TSA and committed themselves to strengthening our transportation systems while ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce.
The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, passed by the 107th Congress and signed on November 19, 2001, established TSA.
TSA comprises nearly 50,000 security officers, inspectors, air marshals and managers who protect the nation’s transportation systems by screening for explosives at airport checkpoints, inspecting rail cars, and patrolling subways with law enforcement partners, and working to make all modes of transportation safe. There are more than 450 locations nationwide including field offices, airports and at headquarters in Virginia.
The Office of Global Strategies mission is to identify, analyze, and mitigate risk. OGS assesses vulnerabilities at international locations to determine risk, evaluates risk impacts to determine mitigation activities and executes mitigation activities to reduce those risks to the United States. When a new threat or vulnerability emerges, OGS coordinates with foreign governments, airlines and international organizations to implement responses that will effectively mitigate the likelihood of a successful attack.
The Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service deploys federal air marshals on U.S. aircraft world-wide; conducts protection, response, detection and assessment activities in airports and other transportation systems.
The Office of Acquisition Program Management is responsible for building TSA’s capabilities by managing the acquisition, testing, deployment and sustainment of security technology and other acquisition programs.
The Office of Requirements and Capabilities Analysis safeguards the nation's transportation systems through the qualification and delivery of innovative security capabilities and solutions.
The Office of Security Operations provides risk-based, adaptive security that includes airport checkpoint and baggage screening operations, regulatory compliance, cargo inspections and other specialized programs designed to secure transportation.
The Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement is responsible for developing security policies and plans that reduce the risk of catastrophic terrorist attacks.
The Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs facilitates understanding of the TSA mission and activities by strategically communicating with internal and external audiences in a timely, accurate and transparent manner.
The Office of Training and Development oversees the development, delivery and evaluation of training and development programs for TSA employees as well as industry and international partners.