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IATA's Security Management System (SeMS) addresses a risk-based and data-driven approach, which is indispensable to aviation security. The SeMS Manual and the SeMS Competency Test are essential SeMS tools, and all airlines are strongly encouraged to report security incidents via the Incident Data eXchange (IDX). 

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New!

  • A new complimentary SeMS Toolkit, voluntary for use, as per the IOSA Reference Manual (IRM) defined External Service Providers (ESPs) has been developed with the SeMS Aviation Community. Interested? Please contact us at aviationsecurity@iata.org
  • Check the new Position Papers and the Annual Security Report on the Aviation Security page. 
  • The Latest SeMS Manual is now available featuring the most up-to-date guidance.
  • To assist in structuring the reporting of security incidents, you can now use this security report form template.
  • Developed with the industry, this harmonized security taxonomy (pdf) will facilitate a security culture through active security reporting. The taxonomy is also embedded in IDX.
  • Check out how IATA contributes in ICAO's Year of Security Culture (YOSC) with video campaigns and news articles.

SeMS workshops

At the inaugural SeMS Workshop (2022),  there was a general agreement to generate agnostic/generic SeMS information for wider use and dissemination. The SeMS Key Information (pdf) also includes other useful links. In addition, a SeMS Aviation Community has been created for all willing to share and learn about SeMS. 

In June 2024, an AOSP/SSP workshop, organized by IATA took place in Singapore to explore the impact of SeMS oversight functions related to security measures implemented by External Service Providers (ESPs), as well as the sharing of their assessments within the aviation security community. The Executive Summary of the AOSP/SSP workshop is available on request. Please contact aviationsecurity@iata.org.

The next SeMS workshop will take place on 11 November 2024 in Geneva. Current and coming SeMS initiatives, tools supporting the IOSA Standards that could impact all aviation stakeholders such as the new IOSA provision promoting SeMS before External Service Providers (ESPs) in ISM/17 (SEC 1.11.3), the new Edition of the SeMS Manual, SeMS courses, SeMS Toolkit for ESPs, and the new SeMS Certification program will be discussed.

SeMS Competency Test

The SeMS Competency Test is offered as a harmonized method of assessing the SeMS expertise of individuals assigned with security responsibilities. It is an industry benchmark to assess someone's SeMS proficiency level through a standardized, objective and transparent validation method.

The results of this assessment could be used for qualifications check during recruitment; quality control; or to design an individual professional development plan. It can also help to professionalize SeMS related positions by linking the assessment results with job-roles (SeMS/security managers, security supervisors, auditors, instructors).

Security Incident Reporting Initiation & Awareness

ICAO AVSEC Panel and ICAO Council encourage States, and all stakeholders to rapidly update the national requirements  of security training programs to include incident reporting processes. To assist with this rapid implementation, IATA launched the See It Report It initiative. Contact us if you would like to become an early adopter.

The initiative includes videos on awareness and reporting. Both are available in 13 languages.

Awareness Videos: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Melayu, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

Reporting Videos: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Melayu, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese

 

Embedding security into the business

IATA has demonstrated the value of SeMS through its IOSA Program for almost two decades. SeMS contributes to the capability of airlines, and their partners and External Service Providers (ESPs), to manage security in an ever-changing reality. The latest edition of the IATA SeMS Manual aims to provide a natural security approach evolution including risk assessment to be adopted by all aviation stakeholders. IATA developed tools for self-assessing SeMS posture (SeMS Toolkit for ESPs) and evaluating, via an independent, robust and structured framework SeMS readiness of major skateholders with a new SeMS Certification program. IATA encourages all actors to recognize the value-added of implementing SeMS in a manner tailored to individual needs.

Building a security culture

Focusing on the human factor, SeMS reinforces the security culture. A security culture should be promoted through a 'lead by example' approach and formulated through the company's Security Policy to get the buy-in of the frontline staff.

Good awareness, training, and information exchange is indispensable. To structure data collection, IATA promotes a security occurrences’ taxonomy, embedded in The Incident Data Exchange (IDX), also used in multiple IATA publications including the IATA SeMS Manual, Airport Handling Manual, and the IOSA Standards Manual (SEC 4.3.3).