ONLY cargo agents using Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 browsers will be able to access the US Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) web platforms, including the Indirect Air Carrier Management System (IACMS) and the Known Shipper Management System (KSMS), starting from August 15
ONLY cargo agents using Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 browsers will be able to access the US Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) web platforms, including the Indirect Air Carrier Management System (IACMS) and the Known Shipper Management System (KSMS), starting from August 15. According to the US Airforwarders' Association (AfA), the two platforms are the primary interfaces to transact annual certification validations, authorised representative listings, known shipper validations, security threat assessments and the viewing of alerts containing sensitive security information, reported London's Loadstar.
'Any average forwarder will use the systems many times each week for these purposes,' said the association's executive director Brandon Fried.
The TSA said the move was motivated by financial constraints. It said ongoing support for other Internet browsers would substantially increase costs. As Microsoft products are widely used in departments of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Internet Explorer 11 was chosen as the browser of choice.
The agency has assured the Airforwarders' Association that it will support Internet Explorer 11 for at least the next five years.
Already, ahead of the official cutoff date, AfA members that use browers Safari or Chrome have reported issues with the IACMS and KSMS platforms. The browsers work for general access to view alerts but processing security threat assessments and other transactions has been more challenging.
'This issue is a result of insufficient investment in DHS technology platforms required to meet modern day realities,' added Mr Fried.
