The Arlanda and Bromma airports in Stockholm, Sweden, have reduced security costs by replacing hourly billing with a model that specifies responsibilities and integrates security personnel and security equipment in a single, solution-based package.
“Arlanda’s turnover is around USD 375 million. Nearly 10 percent of the budget is dedicated to security. With the requirements established by the Swedish state, we’re expected to keep costs low while continuously increasing the level of security provided,” says Anders Lennerman, Head of Security for the Arlanda and Bromma airports. “Previously we always purchased security services on an hourly basis.
“With an hourly rate payment system, it was not possible to reduce the price by any more than two or three percent. Therefore we decided to try out a new model in 2005 and see if the new strategy would attract any tenders for a solution that integrated man and machine.”
The new model included a technical platform that could:
- Unite different subsystems, alarms, cameras and card readers
- Be expanded
- Collect information
- Facilitate the planning of future resources.
The model also required a supplier to could commit to performing a number of duties, which were divided into four groups:
- Security checks (including screening of passengers, hand and hold luggage, gate access control, staff screening, access control of vehicles and goods entering the area)
- Surveillance inside and around the airport building including the parking lots
- Management and administration
- Access control limits.
Securitas, with Saab Security Systems acting as a subcontractor, won the contract, which went into effect on February 1, 2007. Most of Securitas’ responsibilities revolve around the security checkpoints. In 2007 nine million passengers passed through security at Arlanda and almost one million at Bromma.
These assignments are handled by a total of more than 900 security officers. To qualify for employment, candidates must speak at least Swedish and English. The security officers also receive a one-week training course followed by on-the-job training. Specially licensed security officers also work in the command & control center (CCC) and patrol the airport area by car or on foot and take on responsibilities carried out by police in many other countries, such as deportation orders and escorting vehicles.
High-tech security management center
Meanwhile, Saab has taken over all the technical equipment except for the equipment at the security checkpoints. In turn, they have entrusted a number of subcontractors, including Securitas Systems, with work relating to cameras, access control, and alarm systems. Together, they will dramatically increase efficiency in the future.
For example, a lot of time used to be spent just keeping track of where the officers were at any given time. That all changed in the latter half of 2007, when hand as hand-held computers were issued to the security officers, cars were equipped with tracking technology and large plasma screen monitors were installed in the security management center.
Now when an alarm goes off, the screen immediately shows the location of the incident. The officers in the CCC locate the officer nearest the alarm and sends him/her a prompt to inspect the specific area. The officer then acknowledges acceptance of the order as the CCC follows the event on the plasma monitors and, if necessary, calls in reinforcements.
This is only one of many new applications. Officers’ handwritten duty reports will also become a thing of the past. Instead, they report directly to the system with their hand-held computers. The information is archived and can be used in a number of ways, including reviews of staff planning and operations follow-up. The technology will also provide feedback to LFV and Securitas indicating whether their goals have been met.
Changing with the times
“The biggest difference between then and now is the way we manage things,” says Lennerman. “Previously, we would issue detailed orders about who needed to be where and at what time, but now we hand that business entirely over to Securitas.
“The 13 members of our own security department now focus on setting measurable requirements for security and on following them up. Measurability is important – we are the ones who have to answer to the Swedish Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that everything runs according to the law.
“We also have to think along new lines. We have to choose between installing cameras and doing irregular beat patrols, between acting when incidents happen and deterring incidents with our security presence. Either way, we have to prioritize.”