UNIVERSAL SECURITY AUDIT PROGRAMME (USAP)

SCOPE OF AUDITS

The initial cycle of aviation security audits were designed to determine the degree of compliance of each State in implementing the Standards of Annex 17 — Security to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and to determine the extent to which a State's implementation of its security system is sustainable through the establishment of appropriate legislation, national policies, and a security authority with inspection and enforcement capabilities. To this end, and in order to evaluate both the State's aviation security oversight capabilities as well as the actual security measures in place at selected key airports, the audits were conducted at both the national and airport levels. This approach has provided a comprehensive picture of the overall aviation security posture of the State and resulted in recommendations for improvement that can be aimed at all facets of the State aviation security system.

A comprehensive baseline of audit results has been established from the initial cycle of audits. Following consideration by the Council, and in a continuous effort by ICAO to enhance the USAP through its audit processes and procedures, the second cycle of audits which commenced in 2008 focuses on a State's capability to provide appropriate national oversight of its aviation security activities through the effective implementation of the critical elements of a security oversight system. At the same time, the methodology allows an in-depth examination of aviation security practices in those States where oversight is less effectively implemented. In addition, the second cycle of audits incorporates relevant security-related provisions of Annex 9 — Facilitation.