SHAH ALAM – The use of advanced technology and modern scanning machines at airports is meaningless if the human factor operating them fails to uphold integrity.
Defence and geostrategic analyst Muhamad Fuad Mat Noor said the training system and weaknesses in public sector governance should be reviewed and restructured to close security gaps at the country’s main entry points.
He said regardless of how advanced the technology was, including artificial intelligence (AI) and electronic scanning machines, it remained dependent on human input and instructions.
“However good the system is, if those entrusted to safeguard the system itself hack it, then it is all over,” he told Sinar.
He said deliberate acts such as hacking systems or allowing scanning equipment to remain faulty could occur due to financial incentives and individual dishonesty, rather than purely technical failures.
“Cases involving prohibited goods getting through or foreigners entering using different passports are not caused by equipment failures, but instead stem from weaknesses among personnel handling the relevant databases and systems,” he said.
On mechanisms to monitor security personnel, he said authority should not be given entirely to any party without proper oversight.
“A comprehensive system of checks and balances needs to be established from the top to the bottom. If any irregularities or misconduct occur, the system will issue a warning quickly.
“Implementing a system of checks and balances requires a paradigm shift in public sector training modules to ensure monitoring does not stop when collusion and abuse of power occur internally,” he said.