Traveling and Identity

I was reading an interesting article today from Aviation Week on airport security screening. Of course we all have heard about, and large numbers of us have complained about, the recent changes at the airport. We jockey lines to try and avoid the full body scanners and possible pat-downs. I know most people are not doing this to avoid security but to avoid embarrassment or at least perceived embarrassment. This article made me think more about identity and traveling and some of the work that is being done today to improve identity and authorization decisions within the government sector.

We all have heard that air travel is a privilege - one generated out of the convenience of time. I can go anywhere without having to fly - it just may take a lot longer. In that vein I begin to wonder if people are ready to accept the need for better identity assurance at a security screening checkpoint to make traveling easier and maybe safer. What if we had a card based credential that allowed a user to scan the credential prior to entering a metal detector? The credential would ideally carry the same level of assurance of any ICAO travel document and could be issued by a nation, such as a passport, or could be issued by the private sector. The traveller would scan their card immediately before entering the metal detector. While the traveller is passing through the scanning device an automated check of the credential would allow personnel to know if the credential presented was valid and combined with the visual check of the card would allow match of person to the credential. Using this combination could increase the level of assurance of identity of the traveller. If the credential does not properly validate then some additional screening could be performed.

If we take it one step further we could incorporate some of the work being done in the government with Backend Attribute Exchange, aka BAE, which would allow the system to reach back to the credential issuer or potentially a National Travel Blacklist, to see if there are any reasons to further screen the individual. These checks could be performed in seconds, the time it takes for a person to step through a metal detector and make it through the security area.

Of course in such a idealized system one would need to consider the issues of privacy and the need to ensure tracking information is not being maintained in the system. Integrity and availability of the system would be critical to ensure minimized additional screening. For the frequent, trusted, traveler this may mean a faster and easier trip through security at the airport and could provide a basis for a system that adds to the security environment for all air passengers.

Something to think about.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad