Inspector General report: TSA failed to Identify 73 workers linked to terrorism

Just days after a report revealed the Transportation Security Administration failed over 95% of the time to detect possible threats at airport checkpoints, the agency is under fire again for failing to identify 73 airport workers "linked to terrorism."

“According to TSA data, these individuals were employed by major airlines, airport vendors, and other employers. TSA did not identify these individuals through its vetting operations because it is not authorized to receive all terrorism-related categories under current interagency watchlisting policy.

“TSA acknowledged that these individuals were cleared for access to secure airport areas despite representing a potential transportation security threat.

“In general, TSA relied on airport operators to perform criminal history and work authorization checks, but had limited oversight over these commercial entities. Thus, TSA lacked assurance that it properly vetted all credential applicants.

“Further, thousands of records used for vetting workers contained potentially incomplete or inaccurate data, such as an initial for a first name and missing social security numbers. TSA did not have appropriate edit checks in place to reject such records from vetting.

"Without complete and accurate information, TSA risks credentialing and providing unescorted access to secure airport areas for workers with potential to harm the nation’s air transportation system,” the report states.