The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has awarded Unisys Canada Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unisys Corp., a contract to deploy and manage an identification management system, using fingerprint and iris biometric technology to verify the identities of airport workers at 29 airports throughout Canada.
The new system, based on products from ImageWare Systems Inc., will replace the existing application used in CATSA’s Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC) system. The RAIC system is designed to enhance aviation security by verifying the identities of airport workers via biometrics and making sure that only those workers with security clearance are permitted to enter restricted areas. It also enables CATSA to update the security clearance status of all 100,000 airport workers instantly at all airports across the country.
The RAIC system uses contactless smart cards, fingerprint and iris readers located at entry points to restricted areas and enrollment equipment which communicates with the airport’s access control systems. Airport workers scan smart cards in readers, which extract the biometric data. The user then undergoes a fingerprint or iris scan which is matched against the data on the card.
The contract will run two years, followed by two additional two-year option periods. Unisys also will provide data management, integration and project management services for the deployment of the new version of the RAIC application. Additional services will include training and technical support once the application is deployed.
ImageWare Systems, a San Diego-based developer and provider of identity management solutions, is a subcontractor to Unisys and will provide its IWS Biometric Engine Border Management Solution, a Web-based biometric ID management system for the CATSA project. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/contactlessnews-4.gif)
