With ever-changing threats in the world of public safety and security, airports are looking for better ways to guard the perimeter and secure their facilities within. This comes at a time when the most recent advancements in technology have everyone we employ carrying a smartphone. The following are 5 ways in which Mobile ID Verification technology is quickly becoming an ever more present tool in the mitigation of increasing threats to airport security.
- Providing Faster Reaction to Threats
There are hundreds of threats made each year that demand immediate response. Part of that response, whether as a proactive deterrent or reactive mitigation, is verifying the identification of airport personnel. Airport security coordinators are turning to their mobile devices to scan employee credentials and validate access privileges in order to improve situational awareness.
- Maintaining Compliance Mandates
House Resolution 636, a recently Senate-approved bipartisan aviation policy bill, mandates “enhancing the vetting of airport employees who have access to secure areas, expanding random inspections of employees, and reviewing perimeter security.”
The random inspections mandated by this bill require mobility and immediate accessibility to an employee’s complete background, which brings up an interesting finding from the Intellisoft 2016 Airport Security Study. In that study, most security coordinators agreed that mobile accessibility to data would be a powerful tool to easily and securely access information on each employee, contractor, or tenant anywhere in the airport.
Find more details on the bipartisan aviation policy visit this link found on usnews.com.
- Performing Outside-the-Perimeter Verifications
Due to recent US and world events, the discussion for public screening of passengers and employees at a safer distance from the airport has begun. In some medium-sized and larger airports across the country, security concerns have forced the necessity for bussing employees to the airport every day from off-site parking areas. Validating credentials by scanning badges at a safe distance from the airport will facilitate in determining who may be entering the airport through the “back door.”
Mobile technology is also being used at a Fortune 100 company [Confidentiality Requested] in California where each employee’s credentials are scanned and validated as they enter the bus. Having seen successful implementation in other areas, this technology is now clearly ready to be implemented and used effectively at airports.
- Knowing Who’s Who
Mobile ID Verification used by security officials throughout the airport can provide the ability to randomly check and screen employees in secured areas. With an ever-increasing amount of public traffic at airports worldwide, knowing every face and name has become nearly impossible.
Combined with having numerous companies within an airport, the employee turnover rate is incredibly high. According to Airports United, an airport workers’ union group, worsening airport-worker pay and job security, workforce reductions, and poor-quality equipment are creating high rates of employee turnover. This constant influx of new names and faces only heightens the need for a portable ID verification platform.
- Doing More with Fewer Resources
While Frost & Sullivan reports that security spending at airports worldwide is expected to grow strongly from $8.22bn in 2014 to $12.67bn by 2023, this money does not seem to be trickling down to the airport security staff and the amount of resources they have at their disposal.
This means that fewer resources are available to do the job. With mobile technology, security personnel are now able to cover more ground, touch more employees, and accomplish more beyond the confines of the office.
“In my 18 years as an airport security coordinator, I never had a year where my budget met all of my security needs. It is a matter of prioritizing your needs and wants at your airport.”
Mark Baldy, former Airport Security Coordinator for Reagan National
To learn more about how mobile devices can be a part of an effective security plan and help you with your public safety and security goals just visit intellisoft.com/icemobile and request a demonstration.
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