Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) has now joined a small number of airports across the country with an added layer of security as travelers prepare to go through TSA.The Credential Authentication Technology-2 (CAT-2) is a device that takes a quick picture of the traveler as they hand over their ID to a TSA agent. Four CAT-2 devices were installed this month at GSP.“Having that photo that goes along with the ID that’s being presented provides an additional step of matching the two to ensure there are no fraudulent IDs and that the passenger traveling is indeed the one on the ID,” TSA regional spokesperson Mark Howell said. "It matches the photo that’s taken as you walk up to present your ID, to the picture on your ID. That is then matched to the details for the traveler, confirming that they’re supposed to be traveling out that day and their flight information."The devices are currently rolling out across the country and can already be found at larger airports.Howell said photos are not kept and are deleted right away, but usage data are collected."If you don’t want your photo taken, let the TSA agent know at the podium, and they will direct you to a physical inspection,” Howell said.According to TSA:"This deployment is the latest generation of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) to verify travelers' identities. First-generation CAT units are designed to scan a traveler’s photo identification, confirm the traveler’s identity as well as their flight details. The new CAT units, referred to as CAT-2, have the same capabilities but are also equipped with a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler.CAT-2 compares the traveler’s photo on the ID against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the CAT-2 confirms the match, a TSA officer verifies and the traveler can proceed through the checkpoint without ever exchanging a boarding pass. The photo is then deleted.The CAT-2 units are equipped with cameras on tablets and are used to match the face of the person standing at the checkpoint with the face that appears on the traveler’s ID such as the person’s driver’s license or passport. The technology improves the detection of fraudulent documents at security checkpoints. The photos are not saved and are only used to match the person standing at the travel document checking podium with the photo on the ID that is being presented.The system also confirms the passenger’s flight status by verifying that the individual is ticketed to fly out of an airport on that same day.CAT-2 units have what is referred to as a “library” of IDs programmed into them that allow the technology to authenticate more than 2,500 different types of IDs, including passports, military common access cards, Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler ID cards, uniformed services ID cards, permanent resident cards, U.S. visas, and driver’s licenses and photo IDs issued by state motor vehicle departments.Photos captured by CAT-2 units are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial matching process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process."See video above for the full story.
GREER, S.C. —
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) has now joined a small number of airports across the country with an added layer of security as travelers prepare to go through TSA.
The Credential Authentication Technology-2 (CAT-2) is a device that takes a quick picture of the traveler as they hand over their ID to a TSA agent. Four CAT-2 devices were installed this month at GSP.
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“Having that photo that goes along with the ID that’s being presented provides an additional step of matching the two to ensure there are no fraudulent IDs and that the passenger traveling is indeed the one on the ID,” TSA regional spokesperson Mark Howell said. "It matches the photo that’s taken as you walk up to present your ID, to the picture on your ID. That is then matched to the details for the traveler, confirming that they’re supposed to be traveling out that day and their flight information."
The devices are currently rolling out across the country and can already be found at larger airports.
Howell said photos are not kept and are deleted right away, but usage data are collected.
"If you don’t want your photo taken, let the TSA agent know at the podium, and they will direct you to a physical inspection,” Howell said.
According to TSA:
"This deployment is the latest generation of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) to verify travelers' identities. First-generation CAT units are designed to scan a traveler’s photo identification, confirm the traveler’s identity as well as their flight details. The new CAT units, referred to as CAT-2, have the same capabilities but are also equipped with a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler.
CAT-2 compares the traveler’s photo on the ID against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the CAT-2 confirms the match, a TSA officer verifies and the traveler can proceed through the checkpoint without ever exchanging a boarding pass. The photo is then deleted.
The CAT-2 units are equipped with cameras on tablets and are used to match the face of the person standing at the checkpoint with the face that appears on the traveler’s ID such as the person’s driver’s license or passport. The technology improves the detection of fraudulent documents at security checkpoints. The photos are not saved and are only used to match the person standing at the travel document checking podium with the photo on the ID that is being presented.
The system also confirms the passenger’s flight status by verifying that the individual is ticketed to fly out of an airport on that same day.
CAT-2 units have what is referred to as a “library” of IDs programmed into them that allow the technology to authenticate more than 2,500 different types of IDs, including passports, military common access cards, Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler ID cards, uniformed services ID cards, permanent resident cards, U.S. visas, and driver’s licenses and photo IDs issued by state motor vehicle departments.
Photos captured by CAT-2 units are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial matching process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process."
See video above for the full story.
