RUNNING HEADER: AIRPORT PART 1 1 3 The Potential Threats and Vulnerabilities at the Richmond International Airport Part 1 CJUC 382 Kenton Shatzer Liberty University Introduction This research paper is geared towards finding out the potential threats and vulnerabilities at the Richmond International Airport which is located in Virginia. The report will also enable us to find out the state of security in the airport and whether its customers, employees and their luggage and cargo are safe. Security Stakeholders. The security stakeholders at Richmond International Airport include the security officers at the airport, passengers and all the employees. Everyone has an obligation to take in ensuring that airport is safe for all to travel. The security stakeholder consists of: Security Committee (SC) and Security Working Groups (SWG). They include even the top management of the airlines and they are all involved in the formulation of strategies, actions and major decision making with regards to Richmond International Airport’s security (Cox & Clother, 2004). Description of Assessment. Threat Assessment A threat refers to a plan to impose pain, wound and harm on someone or something. Insecurity at Richmond International Airport could pose a threat to the safety of passengers, employees and that of the surrounding environment. As a result, lives could be lost, people would lose out on jobs and the airport could be no more leading to damages on the economy (Haerens & Zott, 2013). The attacks could be well organized by groups of terrorists and they could range hijacking of the planes, plane suicide bombers, taking passengers hostage and even kidnapping. Some of the possible the threats at the airport would include; 1. Bombs and nuclear materials hidden in the freight cargo. If the bomb could go off then the whole plan and the passengers in it could be in real danger. 2. Stealing from passengers. The passengers would be angered by the theft thus losing faith in Richmond International Airport and consequently reducing the number of customers. The company’s name would be tarnished (Cox & Clother, 2004). 3. Explosive devices hidden in the aircrafts and sometimes in the passenger terminal. If the devices would explode they would lead to massive loss of lives. 4. Hijacking aircrafts. When aircrafts are hijacked, the amount of tension in the environment increases causing fear and panic among passengers. In some cases it leads to killing of passengers by the hijackers if they do not comply with their wishes. 5. Illegal immigrations whereby people who are not cleared by the immigrations office could make travel arrangements and eventually leave the state thus increasing the number of individuals who are in the country illegally. 6. Cyber-attacks carried out by malicious people corrupt the organization’s computer and information sy.

1. RUNNING HEADER: AIRPORT PART 1
1
3
The Potential Threats and Vulnerabilities at the Richmond
International Airport
Part 1
CJUC 382
Kenton Shatzer
Liberty University
Introduction
This research paper is geared towards finding out the potential
threats and vulnerabilities at the Richmond International Airport
which is located in Virginia. The report will also enable us to
find out the state of security in the airport and whether its
customers, employees and their luggage and cargo are safe.
Security Stakeholders.
The security stakeholders at Richmond International Airport
include the security officers at the airport, passengers and all
the employees. Everyone has an obligation to take in ensuring
that airport is safe for all to travel. The security stakeholder
consists of: Security Committee (SC) and Security Working

2. Groups (SWG). They include even the top management of the
airlines and they are all involved in the formulation of
strategies, actions and major decision making with regards to
Richmond International Airport’s security (Cox & Clother,
2004).
Description of Assessment.
Threat Assessment
A threat refers to a plan to impose pain, wound and harm on
someone or something. Insecurity at Richmond International
Airport could pose a threat to the safety of passengers,
employees and that of the surrounding environment. As a result,
lives could be lost, people would lose out on jobs and the
airport could be no more leading to damages on the economy
(Haerens & Zott, 2013). The attacks could be well organized by
groups of terrorists and they could range hijacking of the
planes, plane suicide bombers, taking passengers hostage and
even kidnapping. Some of the possible the threats at the airport
would include;
1. Bombs and nuclear materials hidden in the freight cargo. If
the bomb could go off then the whole plan and the passengers in
it could be in real danger.
2. Stealing from passengers. The passengers would be
angered by the theft thus losing faith in Richmond International
Airport and consequently reducing the number of customers.
The company’s name would be tarnished (Cox & Clother, 2004).
3. Explosive devices hidden in the aircrafts and sometimes in
the passenger terminal. If the devices would explode they would
lead to massive loss of lives.
4. Hijacking aircrafts. When aircrafts are hijacked, the
amount of tension in the environment increases causing fear and
panic among passengers. In some cases it leads to killing of
passengers by the hijackers if they do not comply with their
wishes.
5. Illegal immigrations whereby people who are not cleared
by the immigrations office could make travel arrangements and
eventually leave the state thus increasing the number of

3. individuals who are in the country illegally.
6. Cyber-attacks carried out by malicious people corrupt the
organization’s computer and information system. The whole
airport would eventually be at a standstill since they cannot
access any information from their computers.
7. Sabotage of equipment used to maintain the aircrafts; this
would be disastrous as it would cause damage to the plane and
in some cases delay departure time.
8. Poisonous chemicals released in the passenger terminal
would lead to poisoning of innocent passengers and some would
lose their lives.
9. Attacks on aircrafts while landing or taking off. The attack
would cause panic and tension among passengers and also
delays in departure and arrivals time (Corporation, 2002).
These threats are classified as follows:
Natural; these are caused by uncontrollable circumstances. None
of the threats listed is caused by a natural occurrence.
Accident; these are calamities or misfortunes and they are not
intentional. They include:
• Illegal immigrations.
Malicious; these threats are caused intentionally with the aim of
causing harm to the person involved. They consist of:
• Bombs and nuclear materials hidden in the freight cargo.
• Stealing from passengers.
• Explosive devices hidden in the aircrafts and sometimes in
the passenger terminal.
• Hijacking aircrafts.
• Cyber-attacks.
• Sabotage of equipment used to maintain the aircrafts.
• Poisonous chemicals released in the passenger terminal.
• Attacks on aircrafts while landing or taking off.
Vulnerabilities Assessment.
Vulnerability refers to a person’s failure to endure a hostile
environment. Richmond International Airport has many assets.
These assets are the most vulnerable. The assets comprise:
aircrafts, airline buildings, fuel facilities, passengers, cargo and

4. mail terminals and power facilities. Some of the vulnerabilities
identified comprise:
1. Smuggling of weapons in airports. This aids weapon
smugglers and encourages existence of illegal weapons into the
state. It is dangerous as there would be a gun fight at the airport
in the consequently leading to deaths (Cox & Clother, 2004).
2. Smuggling of drugs via airports into the country. Drug
traffickers use airports to traffic drugs and bring them into the
country. Drugs are risky when they are exposed to people in the
country as they would cause addictions especially among young
people who the future generation.
3. Exposure of explosives and other explosive devices in the
airports. These would cause mass destruction to the airline
buildings and eventually damage to the economy since people
would be out of jobs if the airline buildings would be destroyed.
These vulnerabilities have major impacts. The impacts can be
categorized as:
• Catastrophic. This refers to very destructive situation that
is disastrous. The situation is remote or rare.
• Critical. The situation referred to is serious and is likely to
be disastrous. The situation is highly likely to occur (Haerens
& Zott, 2013).
• Limited. The extent of the situation is at restricted. The
situation is possible.
• Minor. The damage is little and cannot harm. The situation
is likely to occur.
• Negligible. The extent of damage is manageable for this
kind of vulnerability. The situation is unlikely to occur.

5. References
Corporation, N. L. (2002). Airport Security DGuard. Syosset,
N.Y. : National Learning Corp.
Cox, M., & Clother, P. (2004). Whistleblower: Airport Security.
London: British Broadcasting Corporation.
Haerens, M., & Zott, L. M. (2013). US airport security. Detroit:
Greenhaven Press.
J, P. J. (2013). Practical Aviation Security, Second Edition:
Predicting and Preventing Future Threats (Butterworth-
Heinemann Homeland Security) . Chicago: Chicago press.
CJUS 382
Airport Assessment Part 2 Instructions
You have now been tasked with developing a report for airport
administrators. This report must include a risk analysis and
recommendations for minimizing threats and vulnerabilities. As
with Part 1, this assessment is based on your knowledge gained
from the information in this course and any outside sources you
locate (scholarly, governmental, or academic). You will need to
conduct research outside the text. For instance, using a risk
assessment tool from a credible source (with proper citations)
may be useful.
Prepare a formal report on your findings and recommendations.
The report must follow strict APA guidelines and at least 4
sources must be properly cited. This report will include a
qualitative analysis. As such, spreadsheets must be developed to

6. clarify your findings and position. The report must consist of
900–1,400 words. This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on
Friday of Module/Week 8.
The outline of the report must include at a minimum:
· Introduction
[Provide a brief introduction outlining the purpose and scope of
this report.]
· Overview and Impact
[Discuss the potential critical infrastructure(s) impacted. What
are the consequences? Include the level of impact (e.g., local,
state, national, and/or global). Provide considerations for threat
sources and motivations. Address any legal requirements and
responsibilities.]
· Risk Assessment
[Develop a qualitative risk analysis method (see the risk matrix
below) with a risk rating system. For instance, low, medium,
and high with assigned numerical values for each (e.g., 1 to 5
equals low and so on). You may modify or use this matrix as
you own without citations. However, you may also develop your
own or use a different model]
Risk Matrix
Negligible
(1)
Minor
(2)
Limited
(3)
Critical
(4)
Catastrophic
(5)
Highly Likely (5)
5
10
15

7. 20
25
Likely (4)
4
8
12
16
20
Possible (3)
3
6
9
12
15
Unlikely (2)
2
4
6
7
10
Remote/Rare (1)
1
2
3
4
5
[Using the information in Part 1 of your report, develop and
present a risk assessment. Based on the previous instructions,
each risk should be rated with a specific risk level. This section
should include a presentation of all risks in a clear and concise
format.]
· Recommendations
[Develop logical recommendations for minimizing risks.
Consideration should be given to cost effectiveness. For
instance, one security measure such as a perimeter fence can

8. eliminate multiple risks. Present recommendations in a simple
and logical format.]
· Summary and Conclusion
[Summarize your findings. Further support your position.]
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