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TECH BYTES June/July 2015 airportbusiness 31 that these technologies and changes in pro- cesses are keeping airports secure, but also helping people return to the pre-9/11 mentality, a benefit of its own. IMPLEMENTATION AND INTEGRATION Farrell says the main challenge facing airports is not the technology itself, as it is relatively mature, but ensuring they are implemented in a way that is scalable and affordable. Also, he says the technology must be universal at every airport. "The best way to accomplish this is for airports to leverage the existing shared common-use IT infrastructure used by airlines," Farrell advises. To be most effective in introducing biometric technology, Farrell says airports should first look to engage all stakeholders, from the airlines to security and border management agencies. " Bidwell advises airports to do a cost/benefit analysis and determine whether the deployment of a biometrics' system is beneficial for that airport's specific needs. "What problem are you trying to solve?" he says airport executives should ask themselves. "How would biometrics or some other type of system appropriately solve that problem?" He says there is not much assessment done on the use of biometrics in airports, and that alone deserves more attention, particularly as the industry sees the systems' capabilities enhanced. "We have to provide low failure rates in biometrics," he says. "Airports need high reliability and low failures at the same time." Biometric technology is a "tool in the toolbox," according to Bidwell. "It can be useful in helping limit access to authorized individuals, but it does not prevent unauthorized access by unauthorized individuals. That's an important distinction." When looking to implement biometrics, airports have to balance their existing technol- ogy and processes with new ways to enhance passenger experiences, all while maintaining security secure facility. "That is very much the business of airports," Hartmann concludes. Bradley is a freelance writer based in East Troy, Wis. She specializes in writing about aviation issues and can be reached via her website, www.bradleybylines.com Jen Bradley, Owner, Bradley Bylines ABOUT THE AUTHOR www.aviationpros.com/10017697 "They would much rather have people spend their time in retail and concessions areas than in immigration and security lines." TERRY HARTMANN, VICE PRESIDENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, UNISYS Biometric solutions can be useful for check-in to bag drop, boarding to security, and immigration.