TSA approves more TWIC readers

The Transportation Security Administration approved Innometriks Inc. and Datastrip Corp. biometric readers for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The agency has now authorized three TWIC readers for testing at ports.

Innometriks and Datastrip said in news releases that they have passed TSA's Initial Capability Evaluation and received approval for pilot testing. Sagem Morpho Inc. said its biometric readers would be tested under TWIC.

The TWIC pilot test is scheduled to begin in early 2009 and will collect data from TWIC card holders at port facilities and vessels in more than 20 locations.

Under the TWIC program, 750,000 port workers must obtain the Federal Information Processing Standard 201-compliant biometric identification card by April 2009 for unescorted access to port facilities. Lockheed Martin Corp. is the prime contractor.

Earlier this year, TSA delayed the reader deployment to April 2009 because of industry concerns about the TWIC readers' ability to function in a harsh marine environment.

The cards have personal information and an encrypted fingerprint that approved devices can read.

Innometriks said its Rhino reader is ruggedized, vandal-proof and weatherproof for outdoor use and has integrated multispectral biometric technology from Lumidigm Inc. The company said its TWIC reader is designed to perform in wet, all-weather conditions.

Datastrip said its handheld biometric reader operates with Codebench's TWICCheck software and is designed so it can be linked with physical access control systems. It also will be used by the Coast Guard for TWIC identity verification, company officials.