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7653421TTWIC 7 H F K Q R O R J \ 7 H Q 7 : , & 7 L S V By Rick Eyerdam Homeland Security recognizes the vulnerability of the port system, especially cruise ships, yet outsources the key to ac- cess ? the Transportation Security Identi Þ cation Credential often wrongly called the Transportation Workers? Identi Þ ca- tion Card (TWIC) ? the issuance of the port terminal pass- key to a least competent denominator. Meanwhile, the over- burdened agency plods forward toward mandatory use of the sloppy TWIC system, but refuses to examine each and every empty container entering a port, where illegal immigrants often successfully lurk and IEDs could be stacked Þ ve-high. In the air, the TSA prevents tiny vials of baby oil in carry- ons but allows the Drug Enforcement Administration to load shipments of drugs or guns or money sent by Latin American narco-terrorists to local gang members who sometimes work as criminal informants in the US, without notifying Customs, TSA or the airlines. Change is unlikely in either scenario, but port and terminal administrators have a chance to avoid some of the potential TWIC pitfalls by following these 10 tips: Wait until the USCG notice that TWIC readers will be mandatory, but prepare in advance. The USCG is currently testing a range of TWIC readers at portsfrom California to the Port of the Miami River. None of them are 100 percent successful. Some suffer from over- design, others from persistent operator error. Others have been turned into paperweights by second tier investors who want to sell the units cheap then bundle the software as an expensive service contract. Follow all the steps in this article so that you are ready for mandatory implementation and have a plan. But don?t buy a TWIC reader until the USCG publishes its Þ nal list of approved instruments and announces the date for man- datory implementation.Consider trafÞ c ß ow Look at your terminal gates and decide whether they are de- signed for trucks, cars, personnel or any combination. Truck- only gates can accommodate Þ xed mounted TWIC readers at the level of the truck window. However, the USCG will also require the gate security guard to inspect the TWIC card and match the card image to the face of the cardholder. In this case, the truck driver cannot open his door because the Þ xed mounted TWIC reader must be within arm?s reach through his window. Consider adding portable steps for the guard to climb cab window high, otherwise the gates will be clogged at peak hours. In many cases, the battery powered portable TWIC readers are more versatile. Think about the skill set of your least smart security guard. TWIC readers are offered with a wide selection of options that arenot necessary to meet the basic USCG requirement; which is the successful reading of the TWIC card and recording of the data. In most cases, especially hand-held units, one secu- rity guard must be capable of signing out and the next guard on duty must be capable of signing in on the same TWIC reader, with a procedure including a pin number. If you ask too much of your hourly rent-a-guard, you can expect to be disappointed.Think about the skill set of your facility security of Þ cer If you opt for a TWIC reader array that also tracks employee arrival and exit times, where your TWIC visitors visited last week and also generates a report of your busiest times, don?t write these options into the Facility Security Plan. Keep the FSP simple, however complex and agile your reader is sup- posed to be. That will reduce the risk of unanticipated failure of the FSP, when your FSO cannot produce the reports for each and every shift and the USCG comes to see them. Don?t plan for any interphase. Some TWIC vendors have visions of real-time, sophisticated dataß oating on a cloud that can be shared by many stake- holders and increase connectivity, transparency and domain awareness. Don?t believe it or rely on it. Buy the reader that reads the card every time. Upgrade later. Don?t order a unit until you speak to an FSO at an oper- atingterminal and to a gate guard who is using the exact device you plan to buy. This way you can determine if you are part of a beta test or beneÞ ting from the experience of some other, similar user group. If you are the test case, you deserve consideration for assisting in development and you certainly can insist on free upgrades to beta units and beta software as you help the ven- dor develop them. Appoint a devil?s advocate. Vendors are almost always charming and impressive and armedwith deep pockets for meals and libation. Their job is to identify an ally on the team selecting TWIC reader technol- ogy. Balance their charm with the appointment of a focused skeptic whose job it is to challenge every claim and demon- stration offered after that second bottle of Þ ne wine. 56 | Maritime Professional |1Q 2012
