SEC421: CATSA's Success Factors, BI System, and Data Collection

This assignment provides a solution to a case study on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), focusing on the key factors contributing to its success and the implementation of a Business Intelligence (BI) system. It identifies CATSA's strengths, including the use of business intelligence, strategic management skills, well-trained staff, and a robust security structure with nine layers. The solution also addresses potential improvements, such as operational efficiencies, effective security equipment, and comprehensive training programs. Furthermore, it explores how CATSA can enhance its data collection methods and leverage the BI system to improve various sectors within the authority, ultimately enhancing accountability and strategic performance. This complete assignment is available on Desklib, where students can access a wealth of study resources and solved assignments.

ASSIGNMENT –SEC421 1
Assignment –SEC421
Student’s Name
Department
Institution
Students Contacts
Word Count

ASSIGNMENT –SEC421 2
Assignment –SEC421
1. What are CATSA’s key factors for success?
The Canadian Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is making the best use of various
business management tools to succeed. Firstly, the authority is using business intelligence (1).
The agency is using balanced scorecard process to collect and analyze data. Secondly, the
agency also benefits from strategic management skills. Through its management system, CATSA
has been able to make the strategic planning its nerve center. Thirdly, it employs well-trained
staff. The management and employees of the authority have aligned their decision-making as
well as activities with corporate strategy. Thirdly, the hiring system of CATSA also benefits it as
the system focuses on the transformation of the organization. Fourthly, the organization hires
employees from a mix of organizations, including airlines and airports and Transport Canada.
The employees create a corporate infrastructure. Fifthly, the security structures also work for the
company’s benefit. The structure of the CATSA’s security system encompasses nine layers.
They include intelligence-RCMP and CSIS Airport perimeter, screening of checked baggage,
check-in areas, and screening of passengers. Other layers are Apron, taxi, runway, aircraft in
flight and departure gate. With this structure, users of the services offered by CATSA are safe.
As such, the organization has a suitable security strategy and management systems for training
and screening the employees and structures that consequently increase the chances of the
authority’s success.
2. If you were the agency’s COO, what would you focus on?
Operational efficiencies are critical to the success of CATSA. Hence, I would ensure all
operational challenges are addressed and the right solutions implemented (1). Security

ASSIGNMENT –SEC421 3
equipment needs to be effective and any risks associated with them need to be mitigated well in
advance.
The ability of passengers to securely screen passengers is determined the success of the
agency so I would give it considerable attention. Screening officers would need to meet all the
requirements of “Transport Canada”. As such, the company would reduce instances of security
violations.
I would also deal with some technical challenges to promote teamwork and ensure the
organization achieves its goals. Training needs to occur in accordance with the company’s
standard and should be based on information such as the ones in the table below. The issues of
geographic diversity and lack of initial databases need to be sorted out (1). The best way forward
should develop and implement business programs in areas other than training such as human
resources and operations.
CATSA’s Current Data Collecting Activities
Information Source Pre-Bi format Frequency
Incidents Screening personnel,
airports
Fixed piles of
incidences
Time of occurrence of
incidents
CCTV Surveillance CATSA footages Viewed Weekly
Data collection 10 employees Internal management As often as practically
possible
3. How can the agency improve the collection of their data?

ASSIGNMENT –SEC421 4
The implementation of various strategies is essential for collecting the data. There should
be an increased number of equipment available for managing data collection (1). In this way, the
organization can register a reduction in the filing of inaccurate reporting.
4. What is BI and is it great for the agency
The BI refers to a system of collecting and analyzing the data. CATSA originally
introduced it to solve its internal and external challenges. The system is appropriate for helping
the organization to plan, monitor, and control different operations such as incident analysis and
financial expenditures (1). Besides, it helps the company to collect critical data and piling them
to understand its operations.
5. Changes that implementing BI system can cause
The implementation would result in a better collection of data, which would consequently
lead to the improvement of various sectors within the authority. In addition, the strategies would
change (1). The organization needs an advanced way of gathering and analyzing data and only
BI can offer this element. CATSA can implement the program by attending more seminars to
understand better how to make a more efficient use of the device. The system is critical to the
organization’s success as it enhances accountability and strategic performance.

ASSIGNMENT –SEC421 5
References
1. Mark K. Canadian Transport Security Authority. Canada: Ivey Management Services;
c2006. 1-10 pp.