I have written about the means to have Interoperability and Open Standards between Biometric Vendors and Biometric Technologies, but now there is talk of this in a different area . . .
Interoperability Among Airports
Now, there is discussion of having Interoperability among Identification Cards and other types of Common Identification Systems which can provide for Physical Access Entry at any airport throughout the US. Essentially, the thinking is that an airport worker can have Physical Access Entry to just about any major airport throughout the US by using a Standard Security Identification Card. Obviously, since the Security stakes are very high in this regard, not every airport worker will be able to get such an Identification Card, and if they do, the Audit Trail that the Security Identification Card leaves will also be heavily scrutinized. Also, the Security Identification Card will have to be much more sophisticated in nature than just a normal Security ID Badge commonly worn. So what will this new Security Identification Card be?
Well, the thinking is that it will be a Smart Card, a topic on which I have written several postings on. In fact a Security Consortium, known as "The Smart Card Alliance" has just published a Security Whitepaper entitled "Interoperable Identity Credentials for the Air Transport Industry". This Group’s belief in the use of Smart Cards is quite strong. For example, "Smart card technology is already the gold standard for 'high assurance' identity credentials". (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5486). This Security Whitepaper addresses some of the issues which need to be addressed when using Smart Cards as a means for a Standard for Interoperability at airports throughout the US:
1) A review of the existing Security Infrastructure at US Airports, and how that can be a means to support the use of Smart Cards.
2) The new Security Technologies which will be needed to support the use of Smart Cards;
3) Various Case Studies.
In fact this Security Whitepaper can be downloaded at:
http://www.smartcardalliance.org/pages/publications-air-transport-identity
Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting
As much as I have advocated Interoperability and Open Standards between the various Biometric Technologies, I have to admit that I am not such staunch supporter of the use of the Smart Card as a Standard Security Identification Card to be used in Airports throughout the US. In my view, there are way too many Security holes and gaps at US Airports which need to be filled even before the thought of using a Smart Card in this regard. Again, let us address what needs to be taken care of first before embarking on the thoughts of using fancy Security Technology. For instance, with the existing Security holes and gaps right now at US Airports, what if one of these Smart Cards falls in the hands of the wrong person? They will be able to gain access to any Airport throughout the US. As a result, who knows what could subsequently happen later. Let us first fill in these Security "Quagmires" so that the use of Smart Cards can be promoted in a safe way.
First, we need to train our Airport Workers how to properly administer Security Policies and Security Enforcement. This is a huge problem right here. For example, to show how ridiculously Airport Security Workers are trained and employed, I took a trip to Ft. Lauderdale, FL some time ago. The Security Guard confiscated my shaving lotion because it was deemed a Security Risk. Then I had all of my toiletries already in a clear, plastic bag, but I had to remove all of the contents and put it into Ziploc Bag. This is Security?
The bottom line is let us first fix the Security Infrastructure at US Airports, which in my opinion is still completely "rotten". Then we can focus on the more elaborate Security Technologies. Believe me, there will be numerous postings about this topic in the near future.
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