Introduction
This case study focuses on the experience of two major commercial airports in the United States, both located in the same city. Both airports faced challenges with major construction projects and managing construction worker access to and within Security Identification Display Areas (SIDA).
Challenges
Airport security is a big deal. These major airports combined employ over 50,000 people and run a 24/7 operation to safely keep passengers and aircraft moving. Construction at busy airports is complex, challenging, and requires close coordination with many stakeholders without sacrificing physical security. These airports needed to treat the construction workers like any other airport employee and perform background checks, enroll workers in the access control system, issue security badges, and control access to only specific, restricted work areas. To further enhance security, the airports wanted to perform biometric multi-factor authentication with fingerprint scanning to be absolutely sure that the security badge belonged to the corresponding worker. All of this needed to happen at remote entrances and between construction zones.
Solution
Both airports had existing Honeywell Pro-Watch access control systems and the airports’ security integrator recommended XPressEntry as a solution, citing many successful implementations at other customer facilities with Pro-Watch systems. Telaeris is a Honeywell technology partner and XPressEntry is certified and natively integrates with Pro-Watch access control systems. XPressEntry handheld badge and biometric readers met all of the airport’s immediate needs to help guards and security teams control access and verify identity with multi-factor authentication and permissions against the Pro-Watch access control system from remote locations. Telaeris was able to support the airports’ Desfire security badge encryption as well as the ability to pull the fingerprint template from the security badge itself.
XPressEntry Server: The XPressEntry server is the admin console for the XPressEntry system that manages all aspects of the XPressEntry system including enrollment, device and user management, live data feeds, reporting, and configuring connections to more than 30 access control systems.
XPressEntry Handheld Badge & Biometric Readers: XPressEntry handheld readers validate permissions and authenticate credentials or biometrics against the identity information on record in the access control system database from anywhere, record entries and exits where door readers are not practical or available, challenge credentials from within secured spaces, spot check permissions, and much more.
The airports combined implemented one hundred forty (140) XPressEntry handheld badge and biometric readers from Telaeris to fulfill these challenges.
Handheld Badge and Biometric Verification – The airports’ guards and security teams now have superior physical security with handheld authentication using existing Desfire badges to verify identity, access permissions, and can confidently control access to any construction work area.
Entry / Exit Tracking – The airports now maintain an accurate timestamp when contractors enter and exit the work areas and occupancy information at all times. Any offline recorded activities are stored locally and synced with Pro-Watch once the reader is reconnected.
Reporting for Compliance – The XPressEntry system securely stores all entry / exit activities and attendance details in the XPressEntry server, and provides full reporting capabilities for compliance, removing the need for paper records.
Online / Offline Functionality – In the slim chance that both cellular and WiFi connectivity are lost, XPressEntry will continue to record all status updates and store them locally in offline mode to ensure that no personnel and visitor statuses are lost. Once cellular or WiFi connectivity has been restored, all recorded data will be automatically synced with the XPressEntry server and access control system keeping everyone and everything up to date.
Time and Attendance – Now that the large public utility holding company can maintain facility occupancy information with entry / exit tracking, it can also manage and easily track time and attendance greatly simplifying paying contractors appropriately for time on the jobsite.
Benefits
XPressEntry handheld badge and biometric readers enhance Honeywell Pro-Watch access control systems and deliver new convenience, flexibility, intelligence, and functionality to guards and security teams never before possible.
- Integrates with most access control systems
- Better physical security and personnel tracking
- Multi-factor authentication with biometrics
- Simplified operations by removing manual work
- Compliance with regulatory safety standards
- Scalable and offline operation for any worksite
- Reduces real risks and financial loss mitigation
Conclusion
After the implementation of XPressEntry and completion of the construction projects, the airports continue to use their XPressEntry handheld badge and biometric readers on a daily basis to enhance physical security and to validate airport employees entering through their many entrances. XPressEntry handheld badge and biometric readers proudly lead the industry with the most access control integrations and proudly lead the industry with the broadest support for badge technologies plus biometrics.
CONTACT US to learn how XPressEntry can improve your airport physical security.