Staten Island Ferry Selects CoreStreet PIVMAN for TWIC Solution to Support TWIC Reader Pilot Test
CoreStreet PIVMAN TWIC Reader Ranked Highest by Transportation Security Administration in Initial Capability Evaluation Testing
Cambridge, Massachusetts. May 28, 2009 – CoreStreet, the leader in credential validation solutions, today announces that its CoreStreet PIVMAN Solution has been chosen by the Staten Island Ferry for its Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) reader pilot program. Under terms of the agreement, the solution will be used by the ferry to validate TWIC cards at facility access control points.
TWIC was established by Congress through the Maritime Transportation Security Act, and is a common identification credential issued to workers and credentialed merchant mariners who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports, vessels and outer continental shelf facilities. Through the TWIC reader pilot program, TWIC card scanning systems will be evaluated in real-world security environments.
Providing 20 million people per year with service between Staten Island and lower Manhattan, the Staten Island Ferry is one of the vessel operators participating in the program. Test results will be used to support the final TWIC reader rule which will establish requirements for all TWIC readers. In the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA’s) Initial Capability Evaluation (ICE) testing, the CoreStreet PIVMAN for TWIC solution was ranked number one based on conformance to TWIC specification, production readiness, functionality, maintenance requirements, vendor experience and compliance with environmental requirements.
“The Staten Island Ferry transports approximately 60,000 passengers daily, and therefore is a crucial component to the overall security of New York’s transportation system,” said Chris Laibe, CEO of inFRONT. “Together with partner Universal Security Systems, we proposed a solution around the CoreStreet PIVMAN Client software for this pilot test based on the Company’s track record of success with TSA’s ICE testing, as well as on its ability to allow our customer to test multiple portable readers with one software platform and interface–making it a sound investment.”
The CoreStreet PIVMAN Solution includes a portable TWIC reader running the CoreStreet PIVMAN Client software. The device reads the TWIC card and uses the TSA TWIC hotlist to determine the most current validity status of the card. The solution authenticates and validates Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201-compliant or compatible cards and additionally allows for integration with existing Physical Access Control Systems (PACS), such as Lenel OnGuard®. The CoreStreet PIVMAN System is also the only solution listed on the TSA TWIC ICE list, the FIPS 201 Approved Products List, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Authorized Equipment List and the DHS Standardized Equipment List. The solution furthermore qualifies for DHS grant reimbursement under numerous programs, including the Port Security Grant Program.
“A critical factor in Staten Island Ferry’s decision-making process was the capability to extend their TWIC system to interface to a PACS like OnGuard®,” said Joshua Phillips, Director of Marketing at Lenel. “Providing this maximum versatility enables us to integrate with credential validation market leaders like CoreStreet. This ultimately provides maritime facility owners and operators with a powerful means to associate and display locally managed access levels with centrally issued credentials like TWIC on mobile devices.”
“We are privileged that the Staten Island Ferry selected the CoreStreet PIVMAN Solution to secure one of New York’s most iconic and important modes of maritime transportation,” said David Belchick, Product Manager, CoreStreet. “The TWIC program, as well as the TWIC reader pilot initiative, are both important steps in elevating the security posture of our nation’s ports and we are pleased to be working with the Staten Island Ferry early in the pilot evaluation process.”
About CoreStreet
Every day, the world’s most demanding government and commercial enterprises rely on CoreStreet technology to authorize critical events, ranging from signed communications and transactions to physical access. More information, including technical whitepapers, industry solution studies and a list of the patents awarded to the company, is available at http://www.corestreet.com.
Contacts:
Guy Vancollie
CoreStreet
(617) 661-3554 x201
press@corestreet.com
Meredith Robertson
SHIFT Communications
(617) 779-1830
corestreet@shiftcomm.com