Specialising in access controls, CCTV, and full-security solutions, Atlass International faces the ongoing challenge of maximising the effectiveness of its advanced security equipment. Among their critical assets are X-ray machines and advanced imaging systems used for body and baggage scanning. To fully leverage these systems while ensuring their team is trained at the highest level, Atlass International engaged Qabas for an intensive, high-level training focused on the operational mastery of these technologies, with special attention to enhancing detection capabilities and understanding potential system vulnerabilities.
The Situation
Ensuring optimal performance of X-ray and advanced imaging systems is critical for security operations, especially in environments where both speed and accuracy are paramount. These systems are at the core of detecting prohibited items, contraband, and potential threats. However, even sophisticated equipment can be rendered less effective if operators are not equipped with advanced techniques to handle complex scenarios. Atlass International identified a need to elevate their team’s skills, particularly in understanding the operational intricacies of these machines, including how potential threats could bypass detection or how to mitigate operator errors that might compromise security.
Given the high-stakes environment in which these systems operate, the training needed to cover more than just routine use. It had to delve into identifying and countering tactics that could defeat the machines—methods employed by those intending to obscure or hide contraband. Additionally, the team needed to grasp how system settings, scanning techniques, and human factors contribute to overall effectiveness, ensuring they could maximise detection capabilities while minimising false positives and negatives.
Our Approach
We designed a concentrated, advanced training programme that balanced high-level operational techniques with practical insights into the vulnerabilities and strengths of X-ray and imaging systems.
Key areas covered included:
- Advanced Operational Mastery: Training focused on optimising the performance of X-ray machines and imaging systems, ensuring operators could make swift, accurate assessments under varying operational conditions.
- Understanding and Countering Evasion Tactics: Delved into methods used to bypass scanning systems, teaching participants how to detect attempts to obscure items, hide contraband, or exploit weaknesses in the machines’ algorithms.
- System Vulnerabilities and Performance Optimisation: Explored how subtle adjustments to settings, operator positioning, and scanning techniques can enhance detection rates and reduce the chances of critical misses.
- Human Factors in System Effectiveness: Highlighted the role of operator focus, decision-making under pressure, and error mitigation in maintaining high security standards during body and baggage scanning.
Implementation
Though brief, the training was packed with high-impact sessions designed to deliver maximum value in a short timeframe. Practical exercises were integrated with real-time system simulations, allowing operators to engage directly with the machines while applying advanced techniques. The programme also included discussions on how adversaries might attempt to defeat the systems and how to stay ahead of such tactics, making the session both comprehensive and highly relevant.
Results
Despite the condensed format, Atlass International’s team gained critical insights and skills that significantly enhanced their operational readiness. The training equipped them not only to optimise the performance of X-ray and imaging systems but also to anticipate and counteract sophisticated evasion strategies. The result is a more capable, vigilant team that can effectively leverage advanced security technology while maintaining the highest standards of detection accuracy and overall site security.
