However, it is important to realize that airport security concerns have been escalating for some time. Not only are airports “attractive targets” for terrorist activities, they also serve as magnets for criminal activities like theft and smuggling. At the same time, airline and airport reliance on computer systems has opened the virtual door to hackers as another threat to our skyways.

Providing protection against these threats presents a special challenge. Because airports support activities that are both public – passengers, visitors and airport employees – and private – such as air cargo and mail – these locations are part transportation hub, shopping mall and industrial complex. As a consequence, requirements for public safety and security are a hybrid of both commercial and industrial needs similar to a small or medium-sized U.S. town or city.

The resulting challenge is to balance security, safety and government regulatory compliance with the privacy rights and convenience of individuals. Addressing this challenge is the lynchpin of Identix’ airport security approach. Today, Identix is the leading provider of biometric security solutions for airports and other government-regulated organizations.

Identix – Airport Security Solution

The Identix Airport Security Solution consists of several components available today:

The benefits of the Identix solution are many:

Identix Proven Finger Biometrics are Core to Airport Security Solution

Identix is unmatched in its ability to offer so many components of airport security to provide optimum security and safety.

At the core of the Identix Airport Security Solution are two proven technologies successfully implemented across a range of organizations today:

Today, this combination is not available from any other biometric security provider.

Founded in 1982, Identix is the leading provider of fingerprint biometric solutions for the criminal justice, airport security and enterprise markets. Its technology for capturing and managing fingerprint images electronically is used to identify criminals, screen job applicants, control physical access, protect proprietary information, and prevent identity theft and fraud. Identix believes it has enrolled millions of fingerprint templates worldwide – more installations than any other company. Fingerprint biometrics solutions are accurate, easy to administer and convenient.

The Identix fingerprint biometric solutions are complemented by its itrust Internet access control platform, which supports multiple authentication types including finger biometrics, smart cards, facial recognition, etc. In addition, itrust is a complete authentication, authorization and transaction management solution that allows an airport to establish strict multifactor authentication policies to ensure the identity of the end-user while maintaining the confidentiality of the information.

Identix Offers a Solution Today

No other company offers physical, logical and passenger/personnel screening using the same method – the human finger – for immediate and cost effective implementation. Identix provides:

Identix – Leader in Biometrics to the Government

Identix, a trusted FBI-supported vendor, has been working with airports and government agencies to provide biometric solutions for job applicant screening for more than six years. Already, the company has installed biometrics-based job applicant screening solutions to the nation’s largest airports including JFK International, Dulles International, Boston Logan, and Chicago O’Hare International.

Identix also offers fingerprinting services for job applicant screening for United, Continental and Horizon Airlines and American Transportation Association. Using Identix technology, fingerprint images of job applicants are compared against the FBI’s Integrated Automated Identification System (IAFIS) database which includes the fingerprint images of known criminals and terrorists. Identification is quick, easy and a highly effective way for companies to clear a job applicant prior to making a job offer.

Identix has the technology in place today to quickly expand upon these systems and meet both existing and expected forthcoming regulations and policies around airport security.

One of the most significant new laws to have emerged is the Airport Security Improvement Act (ASIA). It was initiated in the wake of the TWA Flight 800 disaster and was passed by Congress in October 3, 2000.

ASIA requires the FAA to expand and accelerate the Electronic Fingerprint Pilot Program, which since its inception has mandated electronic fingerprint background checks for employees of all major US international airports. More recently, the program has expanded the requirement for employee background checks to other airports.

ASIA, clearly signals Congress’ intent to improve passenger safety and airport security by extending beyond the original focus of the Electronic Fingerprint Pilot Program to include:

Identix Airport Security Solution Addresses ASIA Requirements and More

Identix’ Airport Security Solution, not only addresses the new resolutions enacted with ASIA, but also extends the security net by integrating these requirements with many others. Applications of the Identix Airport Security Solution include:

Airport and Airline Employee Identification and Access Control

Day in the life of a secure e-employee

Airport security begins with the people who work there. It is critical that employees be citizens in good standing with no past criminal history. For optimum security, physical and network access should be controlled based on the specific requirements of the job. The Identix solution addresses all of these issues and integrates identification with access control.

Personnel screening. Before hiring any employee (baggage handlers, airport vendors, ticket agents, etc.), background checks are done using fingerprint images. These images are automatically submitted to the United States Office of Personnel Management for a criminal history check through the FBI’s Integrated Automated Identification System (IAFIS).

Employee ID cards. Once an employee has passed the background check, demographic information is matched with fingerprint templates to be stored in a centralized ID management server database and on a smart card that serves as the employee’s identification.

Integrated physical and network access authorization. The centralized ID management server database defines each employee’s authorization access path – including access to both physical locations and network nodes, such as a PC – providing integrated access control as needed. For instance:

A combination of multifactor authentication types may be applied depending on security requirements. For example a pin-code along with an employee’s fingerprint may be required to access certain doors.

Roaming airline employee authorization. Pilots, flight attendants and other airline personnel routinely travel from airport to airport and therefore require authorized access to several locations. Identix provides a platform that manages remote authentication and authorization.

Secure Passenger Travel System

Day in the life of a secure e-passenger

Airport security begins and ends with knowing who passengers are, where they go, and what they have with them. The Identix solution includes a continuous matching of passengers and their baggage to an aircraft passenger manifest.

Frequent flyer ID card. As a service to frequent flyers who comprise almost 70% of air travelers, membership cards can include fingerprint templates that allow road warriors to move from one airport to another quickly. Because the smart card requires re-authentication – a touch of a finger -- at each secured access point, security is not compromised and customer loyalty rewarded.

Check-in identification. When a passenger purchases a ticket at the counter or electronic ticketing kiosk, background checks are done to identify known terrorists or criminals using automated fingerprint images that are electronically submitted to a local database of known terrorists and criminals. Once a passenger has passed the background check, the fingerprint template is stored on a smart card or 2D bar code on the passenger’s boarding pass.

Baggage control and matching. At the curb or at the ticket counter, each baggage claim ticket is marked with the passenger’s same fingerprint template stored on a smart card or 2D bar code on the boarding pass. Now, airlines can easily and accurately match passengers on board with baggage in the hull. Upon arrival, matching the baggage claim ticket to the passenger can be accomplished in seconds.

Boarding identification. Knowing that passengers boarding a plane have been identified and cleared is crucial to security. At the gate, as the boarding pass is inserted into the kiosk, the passenger is authenticated once more using a smart card and a touch of a finger. This final step re-confirms the passenger’s identity, protecting travelers and crew alike from known criminals and terrorists.

Immigration, Passport and Visa Administration

Access to the U.S. from many countries usually requires a Visa. Imagine the value of identifying foreign visitors prior to a visit and linking identity to airline ticket and passport control. At the same time, native born and naturalized citizens can enjoy added security as they travel from country to country. Already, several countries have deployed Identix solutions for immigration control.

Visa and passport issuance. At the time a Visa or passport is issued, the agency can check a traveler’s background by automatically submitting fingerprint images to the FBI or other agencies such as the INS for criminal and terrorist history check. The fingerprint template is stored on the Visa or passport as a 2D bar code, magnetic stripe or smart card.

Clearing customs. Upon entering or exiting a country, the passenger is re-authenticated with the touch of a finger as an electronic image of the fingerprint is compared to the template stored on the Visa or passport. The process takes seconds, and validates that a passenger is who he or she claims to be.

Identix Balances Privacy Rights with Security

Today, everyone understands the need for higher levels of security to protect the lives of travelers, visitors, and the airline and airport personnel who serve them. Yet the question remains, “At what cost to personnel privacy?” Identix is committed to delivering biometric solutions that place a priority on maintaining individual privacy. At the same time, Identix provides the flexibility to engage and enhance security measures on an as-needed basis, so that security is appropriate to a person’s particular role.

Identix believes in protecting an individual’s privacy. Our minutiae-based algorithms analyze the position of the end points and junctions of print ridges to create fingerprint templates – mathematical representations of the fingerprint characteristics.

For identifying criminals or terrorists, the templates are used for identification purposes ¾ the process of selecting one person’s characteristics from a group of records. Called a “one-to-many” search, the question put to the system is, “Do you know this person?” The algorithm searches the database and returns a result of likely candidates. If no match is found, the template is deleted.

Verification, on the other hand, occurs when a person makes a claim to a specific identity. Called a “one-to-one” match, the question put to the system is, “Is this person who he claims to be?” The automated system compares the individuals measured characteristics against a previously registered record to determine whether the match is valid. The templates are used for matching purposes only and are destroyed at the match point.

Of course, the effectiveness of technology is determined by the people who implement it and create policies for its use. For this reason, Identix is committed to working with officials from airlines, airports and government agencies, as well as members of Congress and other policymakers, to implement biometric security practices that maximize safety while preserving privacy.

Identix – Architects of Authentication

Founded in 1982, Identix Incorporated (AMEX:IDX) develops, manufacturers and markets the world’s leading finger biometric software, hardware and services and an open Internet access control platform. Identix solutions are installed worldwide to protect proprietary information, prevent fraud and identity theft, identify criminals, control physical access, safeguard airports, screen job applicants and protect patient records. The leader in biometric technology, Identix believes it has enrolled millions of fingerprint templates worldwide.

Identix’ products and services are categorized into three major groups:

Finger biometrics – Used to identify and verify that a person is who they claim to be. Identix biometric solutions protect physical locations, PCs, laptops, servers and PDAs from fraud and unauthorized access. Law enforcement and other government agencies use our biometrics to create forensic-quality images that can be transmitted directly to AFIS (Automatic Fingerprint Identification System) or other identification bureaus.

itrust – Internet access control platform leverages the efficiency of conducting business over the Internet while ensuring the trust and integrity of transactions with complete authentication, authorization and administration capabilities.