Download Locations:
Summary:
The Bush Administration's 2003 National Strategy for the Physical Protection
of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets indicates that security guards are "an
important source of protection for critical facilities." In 2003, approximately one
million security guards (including airport screeners) were employed in the United
States. Of these guards, analysis indicates that up to 5% protected what have been
defined as "critical" infrastructure and assets.
The effectiveness of critical infrastructure guards in countering a terrorist attack
depends on the number of guards on duty, their qualifications, pay and training.
Security guard employment may have increased in certain critical infrastructure
sectors since September 11, 2001, although overall employment of U.S. security
guards has declined in the last five years. Contract guard salaries averaged $19,400
per year in 2003, less than half of the average salary for police and well below the
average U.S. salary for all occupations. There are no U.S. federal requirements for
training of critical infrastructure guards other than airport screeners and nuclear
guards. Twenty-two states do require basic training for licensed security guards, but
few specifically require counter-terrorism training. State regulations regarding
criminal background checks for security guards vary. Sixteen states have no
background check regulations.
The federal government's role in protecting U.S. critical infrastructure has been
a concern of Congress since 9/11. Part of this concern involves the possible
imposition of federal security requirements, including guard requirements, on
infrastructure which is largely private. In the 108th Congress, a number of bills were
introduced that would facilitate employer access to FBI criminal records to conduct
background checks of security guard employees. One bill (H.R. 4022) would require
private security guard companies to perform criminal background checks, and would
prohibit the hiring of guards who failed them. Another bill would direct the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct security guard emergency
training, including training for "acts of terrorism." The DHS currently does not have
counter-terrorism training programs specifically for private security guards.
There appears to be no federal or state policy that explicitly addresses critical
infrastructure guards as a distinctive group. If homeland security policy evolves
towards special treatment of critical infrastructure guards, responsible agencies may
face a challenge identifying those guards because of uncertainties in identifying
critical assets. Federal counter-terrorism funding for critical infrastructure guards
may also present a policy challenge, since 87% of these guards are in the private
sector. It is an open question whether private operators of critical infrastructure have
hired, trained, and otherwise supported security guards to the degree warranted by the
social value of the facilities they protect. As Congress continues its oversight of
homeland security, funding for private guards may emerge as a security consideration
where public benefits and private resources may not align.
