Here’s How Smiths Detection Is Pushing Responsible Implementation of Open Architecture

Ever since the horrific events which occurred on September 11, 2001, the world’s attention has been focused on innovating and improving in the field of airport security.

A recent paper released by the UK’s Heathrow Airport Limited and Avinor AS, with additional endorsement from a range of regulators and airport stakeholders, such as ACI Europe, the US Transportation Security Administration, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and the UK Department for Transport, has made the case for the implementation of open architecture to better shield transport networks from potential threats.

The paper argues that open architecture in this context has the capability to enable global transport authorities to share data more readily, as well as monitor security screening equipment, end-user administration, and cybersecurity.

Open Architecture

For the uninitiated, open architecture refers to physical and software architecture where interfaces, communication, and protocols are publicly available, well documented, and free to use. Proponents of the technology argue this structure greatly facilitates the sharing of data and the simple adding, replacing, and updating of modules.

By using open architecture to enable the interoperability of security screening hardware, software, and algorithms from different suppliers within one solution, transport authorities will be able to react which agility to evolving threats, more easily incorporate and leverage new and developing technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, produce detailed management information from an increasingly complex screening operation, accelerate innovation, and reduce time to market.

"For an open software architecture, these areas should be possible to implement without additional fees or license costs," reads the report. "A key requirement is understanding the benefits of an Interoperable approach, rather than an Integration approach. An Interoperable approach offers the ability to connect and configure multiple, possibly disparate, components without the need for integration. A clear objective for the industry is to move away from proprietary end-to-end systems integration, and instead favor interoperability across interfaces and system boundaries."

Smiths Detection

As a global leader in threat detection and security screening technologies, Smiths Detection is perfectly positioned to evaluate the potential of open architecture with a firm eye on meeting all the requirements of the industry and the ongoing field service and maintenance of such interoperable technologies.

"Reliability, performance, security, and regulatory compliance must be agreed and assured for the hardware, the detection algorithms, and the networks at the very heart of the system controlling the various components," said Smiths Detection in a blog post. "Image generation and distribution are critical, regulated and often classified functions and as such can never be compromised. Therefore, mitigating the risks of open architecture is a fundamental requirement for responsible implementation."

The main thrust of the argument for responsible implementation as it relates to field service comes in the form of establishing which stakeholders are accountable for what in such an open and interconnected system.

Original equipment manufacturers are presently accountable for the maintenance of certified screening equipment, but the waters become significantly muddier when open architecture is brought into the equation. Classified data protection and the need to ensure electrical and mechanical safety as well as electromagnetic compatibility all fall under the service contact usually established with OEMs. These contractual obligations also include equipment uptime, system availability, and lifetime management.

"If a screening solution is put together with elements from various suppliers, who is liable if a newly deployed system does not perform as expected; or if software upgrades to one component cause other components to malfunction?" questions Smiths Detection. "Even more crucial, following hardware or software configuration changes, who is accountable for cyber security? These are just a few questions to be answered in terms of accountability."

Ultimately, Smiths Detection proposes the establishment of a single body – either the OEM, a value-added reseller, or indeed the airport where the technology is housed – which accepts overall accountability for the solution. This body can act as an integrator which coordinates other parties – such as field service technicians – when they need to be deployed to address an issue.

"Finally, to ensure viability and long-term support, intellectual property of all parties must be protected, and commercial models put in place which are acceptable to everyone," concludes Smiths Detection. "We can expect new and interesting business models but not necessarily lower costs. If we ensure an open architecture market is sustainable for all concerned and implemented responsibly, we believe it can be a win-win for airports, regulators, software developers, new businesses, and existing OEMs alike."

Final Thoughts

Open architecture clearly has the potential to transform the way airport security screening technology is installed, operated, and maintained. However, to implement the practice responsibly, multiple technical, security, certification, and liability issues need to be considered and resolved.

You can hear Smiths Detection Director for Commercial Aftermarket, Ryan Hughes, speak at Field Service Hilton Head 2022, taking place in August at the Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa, SC.

Download the agenda today for more information and insights.