GSN_Mar_YUMPU

Heightening security verification with
self-service kiosks
By Gerald Hubbard,
Business Development,
Global Enterprise
Technology Corp.
The issuance and verification
of identity credentials
are currently managed
by different agencies
in different ways. Given the variations
in resources, technology and
security requirements, this is not
surprising. Emerging technologies
are now creating opportunities to
achieve greater consistency across
platforms and agencies which may
enable greater efficiencies and better
accuracy throughout the spectrum
of security needs.
One promising modality is the
standalone, self-service ID kiosk. Its
simplest form is similar to the electronic
check-in kiosks at airports,
where passengers insert their credit
cards or scan their passports to verify
identity. Those kiosks serve as an
initial security point, but they do
not support biometric data recognition
(such as fingerprints, iris scan
or facial recognition). They reduce
the need for clerks to perform the
check-in at the airline counter, without
replacing TSA checkpoints
where passengers
show picture IDs along
with boarding passes.
Still, the check-in machine
allows reasonable
labor savings for airlines.
It also provides
a conceptual backdrop
for the type of self-service
kiosks that could enable
greater levels of efficiency,
savings and accuracy in security
credentials issuance
and authentication. This
could be useful in government
embassies and facilities,
as well as in airports
and other locations where
security needs are high.
The enrollment process
for issuing ID credentials
must still begin with a face-toface
encounter with an officer or
agent of the issuing body. For example
a passport, driver’s license
or global entry pass requires the
completion and transfer of
data such as birth certificates,
fingerprints,
signature, etc. Biomet-
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ric data capture can be performed
automatically with the use of a machine,
such as the Speed Identity kiosk,
or by a trained security agent.
A combination of the two can also
be used to speed up the process.
The security officer is usually vested
with the skills to recognize human
factors, such as nervousness,
that provide subjective
cues about an applicant’s
authenticity, for example.
While fingerprints and
photographs are collected
automatically, the officer’s
attention can be focused
on observing behaviors
that a machine can’t see or
understand.
The real benefit of a selfservice
ID kiosk is after the
credentials have been issued –
when they are checked at the point
of entry to an airport terminal,
area or building. Here, biometric
data can be matched against
a central database. Fingerprints
can be quickly scanned and
matched. A signature can
be validated. Or a photo
can be used for a facial
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