TSA initiates new traveler ID technology

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has initiated new technology at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airports capable of validating traveler identification and confirming flight information in near real-time.

The TSA said JFK International Airport has 22 credential authentication technology (CAT) units in use while LaGuardia Airport has 18 of the devices in use.

“The credential authentication technology units improve upon TSA’s capabilities to detect and identify fraudulent identification documents such as driver’s licenses and passports at checkpoints and increases efficiency by automatically verifying passenger identification,” John Bambury, TSA’s Federal Security director for JFK International Airport, said.

CAT units authenticate several thousand types of IDs, including passports, military common access cards, retired military ID cards, Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler ID cards, and uniformed services ID cards. A CAT unit consists of the passport reader, an ID card reader, a Federal personal identity verification ID card reader, a monitor, a stand, and a UV light – with each unit costing a little less than $30,000.

“In addition to enhancing detection capabilities for identifying fake IDs, the credential system is able to confirm a passenger’s flight status in near real-time through a secured connection,” Robert Duffy, TSA’s Federal Security director for LaGuardia Airport, said.