Security system is as flawed as ID cards
THE ISSUE
Homeland Security's inspector general reported that prototype ID cards for port workers are flawed.
|
THE Department of Homeland Security acted three months after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to begin a program to ensure security at the nation's ports. Nearly five years later, it has yet to produce tamper-proof identification cards required of port workers to prove they are not terrorists. The cards being developed are as flawed as the process to produce them.
The cards are supposed to match a worker's name, photo, fingerprints and other information against criminal history records, terrorist watch lists, immigrant status and warrants. An audit by the department's inspector general concluded last week that the prototype cards "are vulnerable to various internal and external security threats." Another delay is forthcoming.
The problems began when Rep. Harold Rogers, chairman of the House subcommittee controlling the Homeland Security budget, blocked spending for the program unless it were located in his Kentucky district. The Clinton administration earlier had bowed to Rogers' insistence that immigration green cards be produced in Corbin, Ky., and Rogers argued that the new cards could be added to the plant's production.
Homeland Security officials complained that better technology known as a "smart card" would be more appropriate, and a $4 million study concurred. BearingPoint, a Virginia company, won the contract, which requires that the card production occur in Corbin, the New York Times chronicled in May.
Rogers then pressed the Transportation Security Administration to hire the nonprofit American Association of Airport Executives to perform background checks on port workers. The association had paid $75,000 on trips taken by Rogers and his wife, including six visits to Hawaii.
When the airport executives searched for investors in the new for-profit venture, they found Daon, an Ireland-based biometrics software company whose board of directors includes Tom Ridge, former homeland security secretary. Daon's rivals complained and the deal was off. All that maneuvering takes time.
Oahu Publications, Inc. publishes
the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, MidWeek
and military newspapers
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Black, Dan Case, Dennis Francis,
Larry Johnson, Duane Kurisu, Warren Luke,
Colbert Matsumoto, Jeffrey Watanabe, Michael Wo
HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN
Mary Poole, Editorial Page Editor
(808) 529-4748;
mpoole@starbulletin.com
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin (USPS 249460) is published daily by Oahu Publications at 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-500, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Periodicals postage paid at Honolulu, Hawaii. Postmaster: Send address changes to Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.