TWIC Biometric Reader and Smart Card Application Specs Issued
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a notice announcing the availability of the working specification for Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) biometric readers and the TWIC contactless smart card application.
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TSA states that this specification is based on recommendations to the Coast Guard and TSA from the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC); comments from the public following publication of the NMSAC recommendations and request for comment; and the government's review of the NMSAC recommendations and comments received.
(TWIC is being developed by the TSA to ensure that all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA)-regulated facilities and vessels, and all mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials, possess a biometric TWIC card by September 25, 2008. TWIC will be a tamper-resistant "Smart Card" containing a fingerprint template, among other things.)
TSA and Coast Guard Will Continue Testing Specification, Will Inform Public
TSA and Coast Guard state they will continue to evaluate and test the working specification as they implement the TWIC Pilot Program. TSA anticipates that, as with any testing program, it will encounter technical issues that can be corrected by making minor changes to the working specification. TSA will make such changes available to the public as they occur, through use of the following link/Web site: http://www.tsa.gov/twic. In addition, TSA will address any necessary changes to the working specification prior to finalizing the regulations requiring TWIC readers.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 06/26/07 news, 07062625, for BP summary of TSA's announcement that it would not meet its July 1, 2007 TWIC deadline because, among other things, electronic readers for the TWIC cards were still not ready.
See ITT's Online Archives or 03/08/07 news, 07030810, for the final part of BP's summary of the TSA/Coast Guard final rule to implement TWIC in the maritime sector, with links to the previous parts.
See ITT's Online Archives or 09/10/07 news, 07091015, for BP summary of the Coast Guard's announcement of a teleconference on September 20, 2007 to discuss the NMSAC's comments, etc. to inform the development of a preliminary draft of the TWIC Biometric Reader Requirements proposed rule.)
TSA contact - John Schwartz (571) 227-2177
TSA notice (D/N TSA-2006-24191; USCG-2007-27415, FR Pub 09/20/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-4649.pdf