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NEWSWIRE
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New bill looks at biometric ID |
05.13.2008
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WASHINGTON--A U.S. representative last week introduced a bill that would require the Transportation Security Administration to study the use of biometric identification credentials at U.S. airports.
The Biometric Enhancement and Airport-Risk Act of 2008 would also require the agency to provide a report to Congress on how to best issue biometric identifiers to airport workers, reported HSToday. But the TSA already has a pilot program in place at Denver International Airport and Boston's Logan International Airport to screen employees with biometric identification cards. Those programs will end in August and both airports will submit reports to Congress in September about the effectiveness of biometrics.
Currently, individual airports administer their own worker identification programs as part of security plans approved by TSA. Badges vary from airport to airport.
"We are evaluating a number of different ways to increase employee security," TSA spokesperson Christopher White told HSToday. "We are committed to raising the bar on employee security. And we are very happy that Congress has given us the flexibility to look at various ways of doing this better."
Rep. Bennie Thompson, who introduced the bill, said it is an approach toward smart security that ensures a comprehensive security plan is in place before airports begin using biometric IDs for its workers. The bill will not stop any of TSA's current biometric programs, but will build upon their airport security efforts, he said.
White said biometric credentials are only part of a comprehensive security procedure.
"We have to look at risk and how we manage risk and how we mitigate risk," he said. "A multi-layered, unpredictable approach to security is often the best approach."
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| SECURITY DIRECTOR NEWS INFO CENTER |
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