Centerlines - September 2008 - (Page 43) R E G U L AT O R Y F R O N T As part of the study, Chambers said it is important to understand the potential costs for implementing biometric systems, including ongoing operations and maintenance and modifications to airport infrastructure, as well as potential operational impacts.” When it comes to airports, a one-size-fits-all policy will not work, he noted. Running parallel to the deliberations began in Congress, TSA has been developing its own biometrics blueprint. TSA has asked airports and other industry stakeholders to comment on their Aviation Credential Interoperable Solution (ACIS) proposal. ACIS focuses on having workers at airports use a security credential that would include biometrics and could be “read” across all airports to authenticate their identity. If a worker with such a badge issued at one airport wanted access at another airport (such as in the case of a job location change) that person would go to the new airport to have his or her identity verified with the credential. The hiring airport could then decide if it would allow the person to use the THOMPSON ON BIOMETRIC SECURITY ACI-NA: What is the likelihood of H.R. 5982 being passed in to law? Will the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implement the provisions in H.R. 5982, such as the study, if the bill does not become law? Thompson: I continue to work closely with TSA in an effort to incorporate certain provisions, if not all, of H.R. 5982 into existing program initiatives which utilize biometrics to better protect airports. ACI-NA: What benefit do you envision an interoperable biometric identifier system to provide to airport security? Thompson: Today, workers with unescorted access to this critical infrastructure go through background screening to get issued badges that includes terror watch list checks. While this is a necessary and important check, a job applicant’s biometrics are not being captured to check against biographic information provided to establish the individual’s identity. Since the Chicago incident, there has been a growing international trend to incorporate biometric identifying credentials for airport workers. Canada and the United Kingdom have already taken action to address this security vulnerability at airports. It is time for us to start looking at sensible solutions that can address these security vulnerabilities. ACI-NA: Some airports may have concerns that an interoperable system would allow an airport worker with approved access to one airport to use the same credential to gain access to a separate airport without the same approval. How would you address these concerns? Thompson: In the study, TSA should carefully evaluate program questions that will address the unintended consequences a non-secure interoperable biometric identifier system can have. And ensure that guidelines proposed by the study group mitigate these concerns. Additionally, the BEAR Act defines “uniform biometric identifier systems” to ensure that TSA looks at systems that actually match individuals and not just cards that have biometrics on them. ACI-NA: The bill directs that the Secretary of Homeland Security take into account “possible incentives for airports that voluntarily seek to implement uniform, standards-based, and interoperable biometric identifier systems” when conducting the study. Can you explain the purpose of this language and what sort of incentives you envision the Aviation and Airport Security Working Group examining? Thompson: The purpose of this language is to encourage the participation of airports with this program. It would be House Homeland Security Committee thoughtful for the workChairman Bennie Thompson. ing group to discuss this notion with owners and operators and get a better sense of measurable incentives that will encourage all airports to support the interoperable biometric identifier systems. ACI-NA: How do you envision the study directed in H.R. 5982 to complement the efforts recently completed by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics? Thompson: This bill is not about re-inventing the wheel or putting a stop to any good work at TSA or other agencies and associations have been doing on this issue. The RTCA has already completed work that provides universal standards on biometric and credentialing technology. Therefore it is imperative to incorporate the much needed, valuable and ground breaking work that others in the industry, such as RTCA, have completed. ACI-NA: As the Chairman of the House Homeland Security committee, what is your highest legislative priority in terms of airport and aviation security? Rep. Thompson: I strongly believe that strategic deployment of biometrics in the airport is a sensible part of any layered security plan for the airport environment. Therefore this will continue to be a priority as I move forward with my aviation oversight plan. This August will mark the first anniversary since the enactment of the 9/11 Act. I am committed to moving forward with an aggressive oversight plan that encompasses all of the 18 provisions on aviation security. www.aci-na.org | CENTERLINES 43 http://www.aci-na.org
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