As a tourist and commercial gateway to the country, the International Airport of Mexico City (AICM) plays a vital role in the development of Mexico’s economy, ensuring the prosperity and global accessibility of this burgeoning nation.
The AICM is Latin America’s busiest airport, and one of the world’s 30 most active airports in terms of passengers, operations and cargo – it is Mexico’s primary international and domestic hub, with direct flights to more than 300 worldwide destinations. The airport also boasts an impressive array of modern facilities including restaurants, shops, hotel reservation desks, business facilities and a post office.
Further increasing the complexity of the AICM’s operation, the airport is undergoing major construction work, including building new concourses and a new terminal (Terminal 2). Once built, the new facilities are expected to increase airport passenger capacity by nearly 50 percent. This will enable the airport to handle an additional 16 million passengers per year, up from the current 32 million travellers who pass through.
But with all this activity, the issue of access control is a key consideration. With nearly 340,000 flights in a year, and about 20,000 staff on site, the AICM has significant access control requirements. As a regional leader, the AICM turned to HID Global, a leading manufacturer in the access control industry, to help address its needs.
Layers of security
Controlling access to key airport functions is a critical security task. Given the size, amenities and complexity of the AICM, controlling access to areas can be a huge task. Based on its scope evaluation and previous experience with HID Global products, AICM set up a new access control system based around the V-Smart iCLASS access control readers and 16k bit (2k Byte) contactless smart cards.
HID's iClass smart card |
The equipment, supplied by Bioscrypt and HID, requires biometric authentication in addition to identity verification for card carriers to gain access to restricted areas. The fingerprint readers include HID iCLASS 13.56 MHz read/write contactless smart card technology, to manage access to restricted sites within the airport, like VIP rooms and operations areas. Combining biometric reader capability (using Bioscrypt’s fingerprint authentication) with an HID iCLASS contactless smart card read/write module, the single unit reader represents optimal dual factor authentication for high security at this vital site.
How HID Global addressed ACIM’s needs:
- Addressed the airport’s size and complexity
- Offers multi-factor authentication
- Provides secure credentials
- Offers a scalable solution
“With V-Smart iCLASS, the identity verification process is doubled. If someone wants to go through a controlled door, he must first identify himself by presenting his access control card. Upon accurate reading and verification of the card, the cardholder then places his finger on the biometric reader to prove that the person carrying the credential really is the person the credential is issued to. This way, it is practically impossible to enter with a card that does not belong to the card holder,” explained Enrique De la Mora, manager AICM’s Airport Identification.
The V-Smart iCLASS reader provides dual authentication security by ensuring “what you have” and “who you are”. With strong compatibility between iCLASS and the access control system, the Bioscrypt V-Smart iCLASS system was seamlessly and cost effectively integrated to meet airport requirements.
HID Global aims to provide the ideal solution for transportation security. Occupying the access control “layer” of security, AICM is seeing the benefits of HID and Bioscrypt’s advanced fingerprint technology solution as it implements counterterrorism security measures.
