Access Control System Upgrade / Biometric Deployment for Midwestern Airport System
Background
SDI was contracted by a large Midwestern International Airport to upgrade all hardware and infrastructure required to support the biometrics component of their Access Control System (ACS). Biometrics refers to a measurable, physical characteristic (the dimension of a fingertip) used to recognize the identity of an individual. The ACS controls the passage of staff (not passengers) into secure and sterile areas of the airport in line with regulatory requirements and the Airport Security Plan (ASP). In order for the ACS to be fully secure, the system must address three (3) checks for an individual's identity: something they have (ID badges), something they know (personal PIN code) and something they are (their fingerprint scan). Currently under initial design and implementation at O’Hare is an emerging critical feature of security access control systems; biometric fingerprint identification (something they are).
The implementation of biometrics at our client airport is the first phase of an upgrade to the Airport's entire physical ACS. To minimize the disruption of airport operations associated with projects of this size, three distinct sub-projects took place.
- The first challenge was to issue new Smart Card ID badges containing unique biometric data to over 45,000 active airport badgeholders in a period of less than three months. SD·I supported a re-badging office running 18 hours per day, 7 days a week. During this process, every active airport badgeholder was required to submit a new badge application, have their badge photos updated, and enroll in the biometric system by capturing two fingerprints that were subsequently stored on an encrypted smart card as a biometric template.
- The second component of the Biometric Implementation upgraded the physical access control infrastructure in order to support the deployment of new biometric card readers. The project scope targeted the installation and deployment of biometric card readers at each of the employee checkpoints in the airport in order to enhance the employee screening process. Rather than allowing access to the secure side with simple visual badge verification, biometric verification would now be required to allow employee access through the checkpoint screening process. A new fiber optic network and new security access control panels were installed throughout the airport as the badge enrollment process took place. SDI planned and executed the installation schedule to allow for the deployment of the new biometric card readers to occur within a week of completing the badge upgrade process.
- The third component of the Biometric Implementation focused on the biometric validation of badgeholders entering the airfield at a major drive-in Security Post. The subject Post is the airport's busiest, allowing airfield access to between 6,000 and 7,000 vehicles per day. This high-traffic entrance to the airport handles not only airline employees, but contractors and other service personnel. Prior to deployment, airport employees were required to present their badges to a security officer for “swipe only” access. With the implementation of secure wireless handheld biometric cardreaders, all access is now granted through validation of biometric information. A customized Gate software application implemented by SDI provides the security officer with instant visual verification of all employees within the vehicle are valid badgeholders with appropriate access privileges.
Project Goal
- Deploy Biometrics to increase airport security
- Replace obsolete and non-supported hardware/infrastructure
- Reissue badges for over 45,000 airport employees
- Assist with the application of new Biometric technology within the airport
SDI Services/Solutions
- Upgrade hardware and infrastructure to support Biometric devices
- Design, build, test, and deploy approved Biometric devices
- Support the badge reissuing process by conducting regular periodic meetings with ID Badging to plan the enrollment process, staffing, and support requirements
- Workstations and printers specified, ordered and installed for two Badging locations; basic application software installed and configured
- Installed smart card reader pedestals and card readers throughout the airport
- Performed staff orientation and training for Temporary badging enrollment staff
Project Results
This project provided immediate impact to the client airport through increased security and restricted employee access. Implementation of a highly improved badge reading system that works with the new Biometric devices along with the reissuing of employee badges; all airport employees will be recertified bringing them up to code with the new airport security level qualifications.
Biometric deployment in airports has been met with mixed results, and deployed in limited capacity. Our airport client's deployment is possibly the largest scale deployment of employee access biometrics, and has demonstrated greater accuracy, reliability and performance than many previous benchmarks and standards.