Security Shortlines

Air Safety Week, Sept 22, 2008

Biometric Security Test at BWI

The TSA and Southwest Airlines are testing a new biometric scanning system for airline crews at Baltimore/Washington International. SecureScreen uses fingerprinting or similar proof of identity to positively identify airline pilots. More than 200 Southwest pilots based at BWI will use the security system for the next two months. Stated Chuck Magill, Southwest Airlines' vice president of flight operations: "We think that it offers a much higher degree of security for our pilots and will allow TSA a greater ability to focus on other areas of the screening process." SecureScreen was developed by TSA, Southwest, Southwest's pilots and Priva Technologies, the developer of the Cleared Key, the core technology platform for SecureScreen. The pilots participating in SecureScreen undergo a quick enrollment process using the Cleared Security Platform, which stores their fingerprints, photograph, and other protected security information on a ClearedKey. The ClearedKey data can only be accessed by TSA at a security checkpoint, where the ClearedKey reader verifies the pilot's fingerprint and also provides an additional layer of security by showing the TSA agent the pilot's photograph. After positive identification, TSA clears the pilot to proceed into the secure area to report for flight duty.

Airport ID Security System Awaits TSA Clearance

A new identity matching system to improve security at U.S. airports is ready for deployment by S3 Matching Technologies of Austin, TX. Designed to verify the identities of all workers cleared for employment at airport facilities, the identity matching product from S3 has already been demonstrated for managers of major airports.

Airport personnel will be able to log onto a secure web site and check current and future employee backgrounds and identities against TSA lists that include the names and other data on potential terrorists. Jack Holt, CEO of S3, said "our technology surpasses current requirements by using sophisticated matching algorithms and does not require expensive hardware or software installation and maintenance at airports."

AS&E Receives Order for Cargo X-ray Inspection Systems

American Science and Engineering has received a multi-year $12.5 million service order from a Middle East government client to provide service, maintenance, training, and spare parts for multiple cargo systems, including the OmniView Gantry inspection system, the Z Portal screening system, and the Z Backscatter Van (ZBV). AS&E is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection systems. The company's product line utilizes a combination of technologies, including patented Z Backscatter technology, Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD), high energy transmission and dual energy transmission X-ray.

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