The FTA's State Safety Oversight Rule was prepared in response to section 3029 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, which directed FTA to issue regulations that require States to oversee the safety and security of Rail Fixed Guideway Systems (RFGS). This handbook provides both Oversight Agency and RFGS personnel with an overview of the rail security function. One section of the handbook provides guidance for establishing the Oversight Agency and oversight capability, as well as the integration of security into the oversight program. Another section specifies an approach for system security. The implementation of the system security program plan addresses crime levels and patron perceptions, environmental design solutions, technology solutions, personnel deployment solutions, terrorism prevention activities, and data collection. Components of the systems security plan are then outlined. The required components are an introduction to system security; transit system description; management of the system security plan; roles and responsibilities; threat and vulnerability identification, assessment, and resolution; implementation and evaluation of the system security plan; and system security plan modification. Critical RFGS security functions are listed. Further, the plan indicates how security activities are to be integrated into other functions performed to manage risk, including crowd control, passenger medical emergencies, fires, emergency response, and anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism programs. 26 figures and 19 tables