Unisys scoops TWIC deal

 

Unisys has won a deal to design and manage a smart card and biometric-based ID and access control system at the Port of Los Angeles.

The three year contract is part of the federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, a joint effort of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US Coast Guard to help secure the country’s maritime transportation system. It was established under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, which calls for a comprehensive, consistent security programme for the country’s ports to identify and deter threats.

Under the terms of the contract, Unisys will plan, design, develop and manage a field test of the new system and help participating terminal operators integrate TWIC-enabled access control systems using a tamper-resistant credential, or smart card. The card will include a fingerprint template and a digital photograph that will integrate with each operator’s access control system and allow port facility security officers to identify all workers granted access to restricted areas.