| Identification is a critical part of our business. | | | | The traveler made it to the checkpoint, but he |
| Those who possess classified information cannot | | | | was not prepared to present his access |
| just disclose it to anyone who asks; verification is | | | | credentials. Well, he presented information, but it |
| necessary to ensure that those who are | | | | was the wrong kind. When he approached the |
| authorized to receive such information are who | | | | TSA official, he began to work through what I call |
| they say they are. Sometimes identification is | | | | "the contractor rolodex". He had worn his lanyard |
| made visually through recognition of a friend, | | | | with about 10 access cards around his neck |
| colleague or co-worker. More often than not the | | | | through the entire security line and began showing |
| visual recognition is backed up with technology. | | | | each card one by one. The patient TSA officer |
| Many contractor and government organizations | | | | rejected each card until the traveler successfully |
| and agencies have internal identification systems | | | | produced the government issued one. This could |
| using software and hardware designed to | | | | have been a driver's license or a common access |
| recognize biological and electronic information. | | | | card for all I know, but it was the right one. |
| There are many configurations of card reading | | | | Aside from the comic relief the incident provided, |
| technology. Some use picture badges unique to | | | | there is somewhat of a traveler and employee |
| organizations coupled with small chips providing a | | | | security issue to deal with. Employees are trained |
| code for entry into access controlled areas. | | | | to put away our organization's access card when |
| At any given time you can identify such | | | | not in the facility, though some apparently do not |
| employees by the card dangling at the end of a | | | | quite understand the "secrecy". At the very least |
| lanyard. Perhaps even some are laden with | | | | risk, the access card may identify the wearer as |
| multiple cards pushing the lanyard's published | | | | a government official or a defense contractor |
| tensile strength to the limit. A card is used to | | | | employee, depending on where they live. It also |
| enter the employer's facility and the remaining | | | | may provide the employee's specific place of |
| cards are for entry to contract related | | | | work and in some instances their clearance level. |
| organizations; each agency issuing its own | | | | Worst case scenario, the card could be stolen and |
| recognition requirements. | | | | allow unauthorized access to a facility. Perhaps, a |
| A few months back I was flying away on | | | | subject can be targeted for exploitation based on |
| business. I like to arrive early enough to get | | | | identification of line of work and employer. |
| through security and usually have a form of | | | | Identification is a major part of doing business. |
| government issued identification and my boarding | | | | Access and need to know can be verified with |
| pass ready to go. When I get to the TSA | | | | proper recognition provided by information printed |
| checkpoint, I display the required credentials and | | | | or embedded in access card technology. Security |
| am given access. I recently saw a fellow traveler | | | | professionals should provide education and training |
| approach the TSA checkpoint just as I was about | | | | that help employees understand the importance |
| to do. However, instead of passing smoothly | | | | of protecting their identification and how they are |
| through the process, he became show stopper. | | | | associated with sensitive information or business. |
| The flow had been interrupted considerably. | | | | |