Identity Commander, an integrated identity and credential-management security platform, supports the production of a worker identification credential based on the federal-government-approved PIV II specifications. GE’s solution delivers biometrically enabled enrollment, credential personalization and issuance capabilities. In tandem with biometric identity management from ImageWare Systems, Inc. (AMEX: IW), it is biometrically based in order to be compliant with anticipated federal credentialing programs. The statewide solution employs fixed and mobile card readers that have proven to be a challenge elsewhere.
“In support of the evolving federal credentialing program, GE Security’s Identity Commander is already providing Florida ports with a comprehensive solution that supports and manages the issuance of smart cards,” said Dean Seavers, president and CEO, GE Security. “This scalable and interoperable solution works with existing smart cards and is helping better secure Florida’s ports.”
GE Security was selected as the vendor of choice to manage port credentials for Florida in a bid process in 2001. The GE system was subsequently upgraded to work with either the state FUPAC or the federal TWIC, a solution that fits both federal and state guidelines.
GE Security’s Identity Commander, combined with ImageWare’s biometric identity management and secure credentialing technology, enables support for biometric enrollment, identification and verification, and identity proofing, as well as card management and issuance of the biometrically enabled secure FUPAC badges.
“The combination of GE Security and ImageWare technology provides the state of Florida with an end-to-end solution that enhances port security and boosts efficiency of commercial activity while complying with the principles of HSPD-12 and TWIC,” said Jim Miller, ImageWare’s chairman and CEO. “This project further demonstrates the usefulness of ImageWare’s biometric and secure credentialing capabilities to government organizations and private enterprises.”
GE Security developed Identity Commander for customers intending to implement, deploy and self-manage a FIPS 201-compliant end-to-end identity and credential management solution. Typical applications include issuance of personal identity verification (PIV) for federal employees and contractors; the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), First Responder Authentication Credential (FRAC), and Registered Traveler program credentials; as well as the Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC).
With the FUPAC system, the port authority confirms the applicant’s employer-sponsorship, binds the applicant to his or her biometric record and validates the identity source documents. Fingerprints of the applicant are submitted to appropriate law enforcement agencies and, based on a background check, a decision is made whether to issue a badge. To assure conformance with federal standards once implemented, the FUPAC badge meets the requirements of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) FIPS 201.
The FUPAC system allows port authorities to search biometrically and to match populations of large sizes for identify confirmation. Additionally, it helps government and law enforcement organizations support the first stage of biometric identity management functions such as identity proofing and vetting. Biometric devices and algorithms from virtually every vendor can be deployed with more than 120 devices and methods of biometric acquisition and 90 biometric algorithms supported.
Identity Commander conforms to PIV I & II Federal Information Processing
