Strengthening Screening Programs for Today’s Threats

Explosives and hazardous devices remain among the most unpredictable and critical risks facing security teams today. In 2024 alone, the U.S. Bomb Data Center logged 353 bombing incidents nationwide — a 10% jump over the prior year. Suspicious packages, deliveries left in executive offices, or unattended bags at public venues can endanger lives, force evacuations, disrupt operations, and tarnish reputations in minutes.

X-ray screening is essential— but it is only the beginning. Spotting an anomaly doesn’t resolve the risk; the real challenge is rapid, accurate resolution. Distinguishing a false alarm from a genuine threat is what keeps people safe and operations running smoothly.  

As adversaries continually refine their tradecraft, organizations must regularly evaluate their screening programs. Here are four areas that can make the difference between disruption and resilience.

1. Speed of Resolution

When a suspicious package or delivery arrives, the clock starts ticking. Screeners scan for red flags such as missing or excessive postage, leaks or stains, unusual odors, protruding wires, or absent return addresses. Spotting anomalies is just step one.  

The real test of a program’s effectiveness is how quickly a team moves from suspicion to resolution. Every minute of uncertainty increases risk — heightening anxiety, disrupting operations, and potentially compounding danger if a true threat is present. Be sure to consider:

• Is there a clearly defined process for escalating flagged items?
• How quickly is qualified expertise available to validate or dismiss suspicious items?
• Could uncertainty trigger unnecessary evacuations that disrupt operations and brand reputation?

2. Expertise to Support the Front Line

Technology alone cannot resolve threats. Qualified expertise is what turns screening into security. Organizations should evaluate who is supporting their screeners and how quickly expertise can be engaged.

Certified bomb technicians represent the gold standard in this area of security. Every U.S. Law Enforcement bomb technician  completes rigorous training at the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School (HDS), the sole national training pipeline. This single-schoolhouse model ensures a consistent foundation of skills, language, and methodology across the field. When these experts assess suspicious images, they draw from their real-world experience with live devices and high-stakes incidents. Organizations tapping resources of this caliber benefit from a broader vantage point and create a force multiplier effect. Think about:  

• Who supports screeners when uncertainty arises?
• Are assessments grounded in specialized training and real-world experience?
• How consistent and defensible are the decisions being made?

3. Training and Continuous Improvement 

Even the best technology is only as strong as the people operating it. Organizations must evaluate both initial and ongoing screener training, carefully considering the evolving threat spectrum.  

Effective programs begin with structured onboarding led by qualified experts. Screeners need confidence in escalation protocols, and the assurance that no concern is “wrong” to raise. Beyond initial instruction, continuous improvement is key. Every flagged image is a learning opportunity, reinforcing cues, sharpening instincts, and boosting decision-making for the next anomaly. This cycle of feedback strengthens instincts, reduces uncertainty, and steadily raises the baseline effectiveness of screening. Programs that neglect this ongoing reinforcement risk stagnation, leaving personnel less prepared to identify subtle, evolving threats. Consider:

• What training do screeners receive at deployment — and how often is it refreshed?
• Are escalation protocols clear, and are screeners encouraged to act without hesitation?
• Does the program include real-time feedback loops that continuously strengthen decision-making?

4. Adapting to Evolving Threats 
 

Threats are not static. Bad actors continuously evolve their tradecraft, drawing on global incidents, new concealment methods, and innovative delivery tactics. What was relevant last year may be obsolete today. A screening program that does not evolve alongside these shifts risks becoming ineffective at the very moment it is needed most.

The most resilient programs are dynamic. They blend technology and human expertise, regularly revisiting protocols, updating training, and leveraging new tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence to complement—not replace—skilled personnel. This proactive approach helps organizations anticipate rather than react, maintaining strength against both known and emerging threats. Remember to evaluate:  

• How frequently are screening protocols and training updated to reflect the latest threat intelligence?
• Does the program incorporate insights from incidents abroad or across industries to stay ahead of copycat tactics?
• Is the balance between technology and human expertise optimized for adaptability?

The Bottom Line

Screening is a critical layer of any protective strategy – but its true power lies in the combination of speed, expertise, training, and adaptability. Organizations that ask the right questions, continually evaluate their programs, and invest in specialized skills safeguard not just people and assets – but operational continuity and trust.  

About SmartTech®

SmartTech® is a patented solution of Allied Universal® Enhanced Protection Services that connects front-line screeners and their X-ray machines with certified bomb technicians inside a 24/7/365 Emergency Operations Center. With more than 1,200 units deployed in more than 60 countries, SmartTech® delivers rapid resolution — in 90 seconds or less — while reinforcing best practices and quality training through every interaction. By pairing advanced technology with unmatched subject matter expertise, SmartTech® helps organizations strengthen their screening programs and stay ahead of evolving threats. 

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About Justin Kelley 
Justin Kelley leads Canine and SmartTech operations for Enhanced Protection Services globally. As a 24-year veteran of the Connecticut State Police Department, he served as Commanding Officer/Executive Officer of the Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit which was comprised of the Tactical Team, Bomb Squad, Weapons of Mass Destruction Response Unit, Dive Team, Canine Unit, and Aviation Unit. While serving as the Commanding Officer, Kelley was responsible for coordinating the State and Federal response to WMD/Bombing events for the public and private sectors, with the goal of protecting state citizens and assets from injury and damage. As a Bomb Squad commander, he was a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Kelley was  a subject matter expert for the National Center for Security and Preparedness in the area of Advanced Active Shooter and IED Response for First Responders and Investigators. He has also traveled to active shooter sites and met with first responders and survivors from some of this country’s worst active shooter incidents including: Aurora CO, Newtown CT, Tucson AZ, Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Chardon High School, Chardon OH. Justin Kelley is CPP board certified by ASIS