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Archive Category: Security

Travelers say TSA airport screening is not working

SAN DIEGO -- The Transportation Security Agency has a problem with the traveling public's perception of airport security screeners, and this is hurting business for the airlines. An on-going survey of airline passengers shows that while most screeners are seen as professional and polite, there is considerable inconsistency in practices and procedures from one airport to the next. Worse than just being a hassle, most passengers believe the screening does little to improve security.

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TSA selects eight airports for security tests

WASHINGTON -- The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has selected eight airport to participate in TSA's Access Control Pilot Program which will test Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, Anti-Piggybacking technology, advanced video surveillance technology and various biometric technologies.

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Wireless identity cards ease US border crossings

Wireless identity cards and tags for trucks and drivers are easing the traffic flow at US borders with Canada and Mexico. So, the question is: how long before similar technology is adopted for airline passengers?

Of course, there are some legitimate privacy concerns, and some hysterical fears, about national personal identity cards. But, it is likely that within the next several years airline travelers will be using a new type of identification and it will probably have wireless functions. And, the cross-border trucking industry is providing a working laboratory for the airlines.

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Wireless Internet, the enterprise's new frontier

When a sales representative needs to work appointments in the Denver area, she stops at the Embassy Suites hotel on East Hampden Avenue. Not because the hotel provides her a comfortable workspace. In fact, this sales rep isn't even a guest there. The big attraction is the hotel's parking lot.

Why?

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Security concerns hinder remote LAN access

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- With the advancement of the Internet, the proliferation of laptops and the emergence of wireless access, the definition of the workforce has expanded to include remote work environments. 

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Tablet PC used in airport security pilot program

SAN RAFAEL, California -- Autodesk has extended its Homeland Security Initiative to take advantage of the Microsoft Tablet PC with a successful pilot program at an unspecified major airport in the western United States. 

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Deep Blue, Pronto partner for wireless hot spots

EMERYVILLE, California -- Pronto Networks, a developer of secure wireless infrastructure solutions, and Deep Blue Wireless, a wireless Internet service provider, have formed a partnership to help build out the Deep Blue Wireless Wi-Fi network. Pronto Networks will provide key wireless infrastructure solutions through its core technology, Hotspot Networking System, for Deep Blue's hot spot locations, which include top tier hotels and popular local cafes.

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Harris system matches passenger with luggage

WASHINGTON -- Harris Corporation, a leading integrator of communications and information systems for the government, today unveiled the Passenger Authentication and Security System (PASS), an integrated airline passenger identification and luggage matching system. 

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The need for biometrics in airport security

By Ken Smith | Editor, SmartTravelNews.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- While there are some legitimate concerns about civil liberties with overly intrusive airport security systems, it is only a matter of time before new personal identification technology is as common as a paper boarding pass. You don't have to look too far over the horizon to see the boarding pass being replaced by something like a wireless smart card transmitting real-time authentication data at the boarding gate.

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Smart 'Citizen Card' shown at CeBIT

HANOVER, Germany -- A smart multifunctional personal identification card is being shown for the first time at CeBIT, the international trade fair attended by hundreds of thousands where many global companies make their most important product announcements. Developed by the German company Giesecke & Devrient, the card uses the biometric characteristics of a fingerprint. The card is also planned to include digital signature, driving license and payment functions. 

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Americans support national IDs at airports

STAMFORD, Connecticut -- The research and advisory firm Gartner reports this week that 41% of U.S. citizens are opposed to the creation of a national identification database. But, the survey also shows overwhelming support for the use of national IDs at airports and as a means to gaining entry to the United States.

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Bluetooth tracking tests wireless airport security

AALBORG, Denmark -- BlueTags, a Bluetooth tracking technology specialist and Red-M, a developer of advanced wireless networking solutions have announced the completion of the successful wireless security trial at Billund Airport in Denmark. Over 500 passengers participated in the successful trial focusing on enhanced security, reduced waiting periods and location-based services.

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Poll finds public support for Trusted Traveler Card

FORT WORTH, Texas -- While the Federal Aviation Administration has mandated various increased airport security measures during the past several months, a vast majority of travelers continue to voice support for programs such as a Trusted Traveler Card to ensure travel safety, according to a poll released today by Travelocity.com Inc.

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Southwest picks V-ONE for remote communications

GERMANTOWN, Maryland -- V-ONE Corporation, a major provider of virtual private network (VPN) security products, conventional and wireless networks, has announced that Southwest Airlines has deployed V-ONE's SmartGate clients server software to secure communications for 35 of the airline's remote marketing offices.

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European groups plan m-commerce standards

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France -- The European Committee for Banking Standards (ECBS) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) have signed a co-operation agreement to increase the effectiveness of their efforts towards the development of standards for the security of telecommunications and m-commerce.

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Wireless travel intelligence service launched

SILVER SPRING, Maryland -- IMC WorldCell, a provider of international mobile voice and data services for enterprises and mobile professionals, and iJET Travel Intelligence, a provider of real-time travel intelligence for the global travel industry, have announced the launch of WorldLink, a wireless travel intelligence and assistance service for international business and leisure travelers.

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Magazine exposes airport wireless weakness

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Computerworld magazine has exposed a security weakness in wireless technology used to screen baggage. Wireless networks used to support bag matching and curbside and roving-agent check-in are inherently insecure and offer few safeguards against hackers, IDG's Computerworld reported in an exclusive article.

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SITA launches intelligent aviation security platform

Global air transport information technology services provider SITA is launching an intelligent aviation security solution that provides a robust platform to allow governmental authorities and air transport operators (airlines, airports and cargo agents) to enhance the security of civil aviation worldwide. This will be presented to the industry by SITA at the Third International Aviation Security Technology Symposium this week in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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ViaSat licenses SSH secure wireless for aircraft

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- ViaSat has licensed SSH's IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) technology for use in advanced digital satellite telecommunications and wireless signal processing equipment aboard commercial aircraft.

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Aeritas launches wireless check-in with barcode

IRVING, Texas -- Aeritas has launched its FreedomPass, a new wireless check-in and security system for the travel industry that uses voiceprint verification along with a barcode-based boarding pass linked to a passenger's photo ID for secure wireless check-in. Aeritas says the automated system also significantly lowers airline passenger check-in costs.

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Wireless messaging system installed at FAA

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Emergin, Inc., a wireless messaging software company, has completed the installation of its Emergin WirelessOffice 4.0 at major Federal Aviation Administration operations centers. FAA technical and facility managers are using Emergin WirelessOffice to broadcast critical conditions such as security alerts, utility outages or authorization breaches to staff and security personnel located within FAA Operations Center or at external support sites. 

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Wireless security camera for airports introduced

OKLAHOMA CITY -- AARO Broadband Wireless Communications has introduced its broadband wireless enabled security services including pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras that are viewed and controlled using Aaro's secure, wireless radio network. In addition to wireless remote control, Aaro's service allows for the capture of still images and digital movies from these cameras.

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Slow recovery forecast for traveler confidence

WASHINGTON -- More than a month of steep price-cutting by the travel industry and the efforts of public officials to encourage travel and tourism have begun making inroads with the public, but a core group of travelers still remains reluctant and does not see their business or leisure travel patterns resuming to previous levels for six months or more, according to a new nationwide survey by the Travel Business Roundtable (TBR).

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F-Secure's Starck to head North American office

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- F-Secure Corporation has appointed Ilkka Starck as executive vice president, North America, with full responsibility for the company's North American operations. The company announcement said that Starck's strong wireless background, F-Secure will further increase its focus in providing leading security solutions for the emerging wireless and handheld computing space. 

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US travelers want better airport security, ID cards

FORT WORTH, Texas -- In what Travelocity is calling perhaps the most thorough poll of those who have traveled since the terrorist attacks September 11, almost all travelers have experienced inconsistent airport security, and most frequent travelers say they would use a travel ID card program if it were implemented.

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IBM launches wireless security initiative

ARMONK, N.Y. —  IBM will deliver new security services, software, technology and client solutions for wireless networks and applications, helping organizations securely extend corporate information beyond traditional wired networks to mobile devices. Industry analysts have projected that the worldwide market for information security services to more than triple to $21 billion at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 25.5% over the 2000 to 2005 period.

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Speedcom Wireless chosen for FAA network

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Speedcom Wireless's Wave Wireless Networking division has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide secure, broadband wireless connectivity between FAA buildings at airports across the nation.

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Sabre joins single password, all devices alliance

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Sabre Holdings Corporation today announced that it will join the Liberty Alliance Project, a federation of 33 major industry leaders currently being formed to create an open, single sign-on solution for network identity. The solution will enable secure, single sign-on, and decentralized authentication from any device connected to the Internet, including traditional desktop computers, cellular phones, automobiles, and point-of-sale terminals.

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DOT forms response teams for air travel security

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government is asking two teams of airline executives to quickly develop detailed recommendations to make air travel safer. It seems likely that some of the security improvements will include smart card technology such as that studied for the past six years by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

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