Airport Demand Boosts Smart Cards

Nov 1, 2002 12:00 PM, Paul Rothman

Smart card shipments to the U.S. and Canada have doubled in the past year from 14.77 million in January through June 2001 to 31.2 million in the same span of 2002, reports the Smart Card Alliance — and the technology has not been lost on U.S. airports.

Increases in procurement of airport security devices and technology have boosted the demand. Smart cards — ID cards that include an embedded microchip loaded with data — are being quickly adopted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in several applications.

“Our vision is to have one credential that a transportation worker will wear,” said Gregg Hawrylko, program manager for the Department of Transportation's Credential Project Office, at the Smart Card Alliance's conference in Washington, D.C.

The smart cards would contain basic information about an employee, including a biometric identifier (likely a fingerprint). The card would also be able to grant access to secure areas and computer networks. The TSA has confirmed that 20 to 25 smart card pilot projects will go into effect in January at airports throughout the country.

Smart cards are also being considered by the TSA for so-called Trusted Traveler cards, designed for frequent flyers wishing to speed through the security line.

“Such a program would involve the use of foolproof I.D. cards, using available biometrics and anti-counterfeiting technologies,” Air Transport Association President Carol Hallett told the California Chamber of Commerce. “Persons carrying such cards would be screened separately, using a less-time-consuming level of security scrutiny.

“To get one of these cards you will be asked to provide personal and financial information and a fingerprint or other biometric,” Hallett continued. “But the choice would be up to the traveler — use a card or stand in line.”

TSA Chief Adm. James Loy has confirmed that airports in Los Angeles and Philadelphia are among the test sites for the Trusted Traveler cards. He also confirmed that travelers who want to sign up for the card would have to submit to the background checks. “We will know more about them from a security standpoint than anonymous passengers who present themselves to screeners at the airport,” Loy told the Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee.

Of course, universal traveler and airport employee ID cards have drawn their share of criticism. “There's really no way to prevent smart terrorists from getting smart cards if it's opened up to the public,” Aviation Consumer Action Project Executive Director Paul Hudson says. “Identity theft and false IDs are a way of life for smart terrorists and criminals.”

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