Nationwide Airlines has implemented a biometric (fingerprint reading) solution to control and secure access into its new head offices in Rivonia, Johannesburg.
IDtek Solutions, which recently implemented a biometric identity control solution at the OR Tambo International Airport, deployed the Sagem technology, notes IDtek MD Julian Thorrold.
"In the case of Nationwide, the head office houses certain critical functions relating to its bookings and call centre," he says. Staff members', consultants', and agents' movements can be controlled with the system.
The Sagem fingerprint solution, he adds, is used by the likes of the American FBI, Interpol, and the United Nations. At home, Sagem's clients include the SAPS, as well as the Social Development Department and the Department of Home Affairs, in its HANIS project.
Forward integration
"[Nationwide] management mandated IDtek to implement biometric controls at all restricted doors, backed-up by an intruder detection system from GE Security together with CCTV support," explains Thorrold.
Roger Whittle, Nationwide's executive of commercial affairs, says that, as well as being careful to find a reliable biometric system, the main factor in deciding on the technology IDtek offered was the potential benefits going forwards in terms of state-driven initiatives."
Home Affairs' HANIS project is a Sagem solution currently being deployed by Ideco, providing all South Africans with a "smartcard" identity card with the holder's fingerprint impression.
Internationally
Thorrold says that, in other parts of the world, fingerprint-based technology is being used to secure air travel, for instance by preventing rogue bags getting onto planes and matching passengers to their bags at check-in.
"Frequent flyers with British Airways from JFK to Heathrow can obtain a card that holds fingerprint images allowing them access to a special fast-track security lane. A similar system called Privium operates in Amsterdam's Schiphol," he says.
In these initiatives, passengers' personal details are stored on a government-connected database in exchange for quicker transit times.
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