Future of Registered Traveler Programs in Doubt, According to RT Provider, Priva Technologies

2008-07-25 15:29:04 -

- The future of Registered Traveler Programs, as they exist today, has been put in doubt by the announcement that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will no longer provide RT security threat assessments, according to Jeff Minushkin, chairman of Priva Technologies, Inc., which itself is an approved RT service provider.

"In essence, the TSA is saying that there is little, if any, security value to RT programs," says Minushkin.

Minushkin points out that, in its announcement, the TSA stated: "Identity verification is a key layer of aviation security." And, he notes: "Unlike other approved vendors, Priva has dedicated identity verification and authentication technology, our Cleared(R) Security Platform, which recently achieved the Department of Homeland Security's designation as a Developmental Testing and Evaluation (DT&E) technology under the SAFETY Act of 2002."

"The designation provides us and end users of our ClearedBadge(TM) and ClearedKey(TM) biometric identification tokens with important liability protections that enhance the prospects for broad-based distribution and usage of the technology at airports in a timely fashion," according to Minushkin.

The Cleared platform, which is being deployed at undisclosed airports to validate credentials of airport employees, incorporates the only commercially-available, biometrically-enabled microchip with the government's FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification, the Priva chairman says.

Recently, Alvy Dodson, former TSA Federal Security Director (FSD) at Dallas Love Field Airport, joined Priva as Executive Vice President of the company's Cleared Travel Corp. subsidiary to oversee airport deployment of the Cleared authentication technology.

Dodson says that while Priva was recently approved by the TSA as an RT service provider, it is implementing its airport employee security initiative "because our initial focus is on providing the technology for controlling who gets to go where within the confines of the airport."

Dodson adds that "in addition to passenger and baggage screening by the TSA, effective airport security must also include 'back of the house' issues through the facilitation of strong identity verification and access control for employees ranging from baggage handlers to airline pilots."

About Priva Technologies

Founded in 1999, Priva Technologies is a privately-held Delaware Corporation that specializes in the development of advanced hardware and software-based authentication security platforms for the government, enterprise and consumer markets. Priva Technologies' flagship product, The Cleared(R) Security Platform, is the most comprehensive and powerful authentication solution available today. The company is headquartered in Chicago, IL with research and development in Annapolis, MD, and Cupertino, CA. For more information, please visit www.cleared.com. The company was recently approved by the Transportation Security Administration as a service provider for its Registered Traveler program.

Priva Technologies, Inc.
John Grimaldi, 917-846-8485