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IATA's Security Management System (SeMS) addresses a risk-based and data-driven approach, which is indispensable to aviation security. The SeMS Manual and the SeMS Competency Test are essential SeMS tools, and all airlines are strongly encouraged to report security incidents via the Incident Data eXchange (IDX).
In 2024, IATA created, with the assistance of the SeMS Aviation Community, a new self-assessment tool designed to help External Service Providers (ESPs) in measuring their current level of understanding of the widely-recognized SeMS concept. A new SeMS Toolkit for ESPs is available via the SeMS Aviation Community and is accessible by sending a message to aviationsecurity@iata.org
New!
- A new complimentary SeMS Toolkit, voluntary for use, as per the IOSA Reference Manual (IRM) defined External Service Providers (ESPs) has been developed with the SeMS Aviation Community.
- Check the new Position Papers and the Annual Security Report on the Aviation Security page.
- The Latest SeMS Manual is now available featuring the most up-to-date guidance.
- To assist in structuring the reporting of security incidents, you can now use this security report form template.
- Developed with the industry, this harmonized security taxonomy (pdf) will facilitate a security culture through active security reporting. The taxonomy is also embedded in IDX.
- Check out how IATA contributes in ICAO's Year of Security Culture (YOSC) with video campaigns and news articles.
SeMS Key Information
At the inaugural SeMS Workshop (2022), there was a general agreement to generate agnostic/generic SeMS information for wider use and dissemination. The SeMS Key Information (pdf) also includes other useful links. In addition, a SeMS Aviation Community has been created for all willing to share and learn about SeMS.
In June 2024, an AOSP/SSP workshop, organized by IATA, (by invitation), will take place in Singapore and a new SeMS workshop will take place in Geneva from 11-14 November 2024. They will further explore the impact of SeMS oversight functions related to security measures implemented by External Service Providers (ESPs), as well as the sharing of their assessments within the aviation security community.
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SeMS Competency Test
The SeMS Competency Test is offered as a harmonized method of assessing the SeMS expertise of individuals assigned with security responsibilities. It is an industry benchmark to assess someone's SeMS proficiency level through a standardized, objective and transparent validation method.
The results of this assessment could be used for qualifications check during recruitment; quality control; or to design an individual professional development plan. It can also help to professionalize SeMS related positions by linking the assessment results with job-roles (SeMS/security managers, security supervisors, auditors, instructors).
Security Incident Reporting Initiation & Awareness
ICAO AVSEC Panel and ICAO Council encourage States, and all stakeholders to rapidly update the national requirements of security training programs to include incident reporting processes. To assist with this rapid implementation, IATA launched the See It Report It initiative. Contact us if you would like to become an early adopter.
The initiative includes videos on awareness and reporting. Both are available in 13 languages.
Awareness Videos: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Melayu, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese
Reporting Videos: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Melayu, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese
Embedding security into the business
IATA has demonstrated the value of SeMS through its IOSA Program for more than a decade. SeMS contributes to the capability of airlines to manage security in an ever-changing reality. The latest edition of the IATA SeMS Manual aims to provide a natural security approach evolution including risk assessment to be adopted by all aviation stakeholders. IATA encourages all actors to recognize the value-added of implementing SeMS in a manner tailored to individual needs.
Building a security culture
Focusing on the human factor, SeMS reinforces the security culture. A security culture should be promoted through a 'lead by example' approach and formulated through the company's Security Policy to get the buy-in of the frontline staff.
Good awareness, training, and information exchange is indispensable. To structure data collection, IATA promotes a security occurrences’ taxonomy, embedded in The Incident Data Exchange (IDX), also used in multiple IATA publications including the IATA SeMS Manual, Airport Handling Manual, and the IOSA Standards Manual (SEC 4.3.3).