The TSA has issued more than 3.5 million TWIC smart cards but a recent report shows problems with the vetting process to receive these credentials. According to a Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report, the TSA has not been providing enough oversight and guidance to ensure that the TWIC program operates properly. Specifically, there are problems with the background checks and threat assessments for the TWIC.

Eid Passport Inc. secured placement on the TSA’s TWIC Qualified Technology List for the company’s RAPID-RCx Program; Oberthur Technologies will acquire a 100% equity stake of NagraID Security SA; MorphoTrust USA announced the opening of several new centers for enrollment in the TSA PreCheck program; the Security Executive Council has selected quantum Secure as a Solution Innovation Partner.

The U.S. Coast Guard is proposing to limit the electronic reading of Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) and instead rely on visual inspection. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential Reader Requirements Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would limit the use of the biometric smart cards and readers and use visual inspection of TWIC cards as the primary […]

Stephen M. Lord, director of Homeland Security and Justice for the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), testified before the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Government Operations, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card reader pilot results, saying that they were unreliable and the […]

Codebench Inc. announced that it has formed a technology partnership with Open Options Inc., and has integrated its PIVCheck software suite with Open Options’ DNA Fusion access control solution. As a result of this integration, Codebench’s PIVCheck software suite, a card validation, authentication and registration solution for HSPD-12 compliance, enables DNA Fusion customers to validate […]

Dates: September 18-20, 2012 Location: Tampa, Florida Venue: Tampa Convention Center URL: http://www.biometricconference.com/ Description: The 2012 Biometric Consortium Conference and Technology Expo, presented by AFCEA, NIST and NSA, will address the important role that biometrics plays in identification and verification of individuals for government and commercial applications worldwide. The Conference will be two and a […]

Salvatore D’Agostino, CSCIP, IDmachines A major goal of HSPD-12 was to have an interoperable credential across logical and physical contexts for employees and contractors. The goal remains elusive. The GSA’s approved product list was developed to help meet this goal. Some changes need to take place to better achieve this. The approved product list consists […]

Multimodal biometric security provider ImageWare Systems Inc. has released version 2.0 of its Biometric Engine (BE) physical security identification product. This product is designed for airports, seaports and other critical points-of-access for government and private enterprises. This update takes into account the SAFE Port Act, which requires foreign shippers to secure cargo being shipped to […]

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has opted to consolidate its multiple enrollment and registration programs into one Universal Enrollment Service. It has granted MorphoTrust USA a five-year, $248 million contract for the enrollment services. The system incorporates facial and fingerprint biometric readings and biographic data to check individuals’ backgrounds before allowing access to critical segments […]

HID Global, announced the availability of its pivCLASS Government Solutions portfolio, an product suite that enables the U.S. federal government, government contractors and other facilities to comply with federal identity mandates without having to replace their existing physical access control system (PACS). The pivCLASS family is designed to make it easy for agencies to meet […]