The process of securing government facilities using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and biometrics has been successful at two military installations. The technologies are becoming popular. The US’s government facilities and military installations are widely known for their unparalleled expertise in force protection. Every day, thousands of DoD civilians, vendors, suppliers, contractors, and tenants seek facility access. Similarly, every day, trained security personnel check, inspect, and verify each person passing into these facilities.
Through the use of sophisticated RFID badges, access management systems, and biometric authentication, the RAPIDGate? program has been used since November 2005 at the Coast Guard’s headquarters support command facility in Washington, DC. The vendor has established a technology application that reduces the time it takes for non-military personnel to access to military and government facilities. By allowing the security team to focus on non-vetted parties, the RAPIDGate? program helps tighten security overall. Wayne Truax, Coast Guard’s chief of security and safety for the headquarters, stated, “We get a better grade of contractor,” by using RAPIDGate?, Truax said, “These are people who work in our building, and we need to have a level of trust.” To date, the system has identified three vendors’ applicants who served time for murder, one sex offender, and two working under false identities who had lied about their criminal history.
The US Army installation at Fort Lewis, Washington also has implemented the same program and hired Eid Passport, Inc. for a five-year contract to duplicate the Washington DC system. The applicants who designed the application to use the system are paying for the fees. Fort Lewis officials declined to be interviewed for the story. However, Steve Larson, CEO and chairman of Eid Passport Inc.,, stated that Fort Lewis has used the system for two years. The RFID Tag is connected to the vendor’s vehicle, and the Coast Guard who are responsible for security at Fort Lewis can track the entry and departure of the vehicle. “There is constant exception reporting if someone didn’t leave,” Larson said, “The key is to always make certain that there is a clean ingress and egress for different vehicles that come onto the base.”
Vendors must apply to be a part of the RAPIDGate? program by submitting fingerprints and pictures to the Coast Guard and passing a background check. A self-enrollment kiosk is placed at the facility location, and after processing is completed, employees are issued cards. The vendor’s badge has the RFID attached to it. Fort Lewis security has noted that 4,000 badge holders representing 700 vendors can enter their facility daily in about 12 seconds each.
In DC, about 550 card holders representing 100 vendors use RAPIDGate? that the Coast Guard runs in parallel with its physical-access control system, called Maxxess. Vendors needing clearances proceed through the latter. This dual track of security helps ensure effective countermeasures for breaches or inappropriate use of badges. Wayne Truax stated, “If a vendor is fired or quits but doesn’t turn in their ID, within 30 seconds we can kill their access.”
The use of these proven systems would be an enhancement of security at all government and military facilities. The private sector would also be a good place to employ these technologies. RFID and biometric cards are increasingly seen at airports as well to bolster security efforts. Security does work if it is done correctly.