Biometric devices eyed for airport security.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Security Beat - National Integrated Security Suite - Brief Article

EDS, Pricewaterhouse Coopers Consulting, Sun Microsystems and Oracle are working on a program that would combine biometric and risk assessment technologies to make airports safer.

The National Integrated Security Suite is based on a biometric system initially developed by EDS, that has been in use at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport since 1998. According to EDS, that system has processed 1.5 million passengers up to date.

The National Integrated Security Suite combines two programs -- the Known Traveler and the Secure Employee. Known Traveler is a voluntary passenger registration program that will establish identity and assess the security risk for registered travelers, who then could move easily into and through security checkpoint areas. Passengers would register either on the Web or at an airport kiosk by filling out a brief questionnaire and agreeing to a background check. After providing...