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Manchester Airport: Biometric Staff Access SchemeBBC's One Show talks to Human Recognition Systems' CEO, Neil Norman, and reviews HRS projects in Aviation and Construction 
In 2006, Manchester Airport approached local biometric specialist Human Recognition Systems to look at reviewing security at their staff access points into airside secure zones.
Working closely with the airport security team, HRS conducted operational studies to fully understand existing process, staff attitudes, and bottleneck areas in relation to environments and ultimately how technology could be used to add additional layers of security.
The Project
Manchester Airport already had a legacy ID card system in place, with photo ID cards checked at designated staff entrances, by an airport security officer (ASO). HRS' operational studies quickly determined a number of flaws with the existing system that had the potential to result in a serious security breach, including: misuse of stolen or lost ID cards, an inability to recognise an individual from the ID card or collaboration with an ASO.
HRS designed the MSecure Staff Access a biometric platform which integrates with the existing card system but add fundamental security features to safely manage the access of staff into the secure zones. The solution brings together three key components:
1. The existing airport card management system
2. A sonic detection volumetric portal to eliminate tail-gating
3. Biometrics - using iris recognition to securely verify an individuals identity
The MSecure solution integrates the portal and biometrics with the existing card system to provide a 100% proof identity access solution.
Another element identified by the site surveys was the need to work with the existing ASO's and the staff that would be using the access platform, to educate them about the biometrics and gain their support for the new system.
HRS' Aviation Consultant, Jim Slevin emphasises "To have a successful implementation you have to have the support of everybody, from the most senior executives all the way down to the people who are using it on a daily basis. Generating that support is not necessarily easy but vital."
Working closely with the Manchester Airport security team, HRS initiated MSecure Staff Access training to the ASO's responsible for managing the solution and a clear communication strategy to promote awareness, understanding and benefits prior to enrolment and during the launch period to all the staff that would be expected to use the portal.
The success of the pilot scheme resulted in role out to all 3 terminals with 46% of staff enrolling on the voluntary scheme in the first 3months.
In 2 years there have been over 2 million transactions on the MSecure Staff Access Scheme and not 1 false accept. The success of the project has led to the scheme being made mandatory in March 2009 – the first of its kind in any European airport.
"Manchester Airport is committed to innovation to ensure our airport is well managed and safe. As a result of the move to Iris recognition based access control, provided by Human Recognition Systems, we have been able to reduce ongoing operational costs. There is a reduction in the requirement for dedicated Security Officers checking ID Passes of staff requiring access to restricted areas; and physical security has significantly improved by the robust biometric identity check." - Manchester Airport Customer Service and Security Director, Mike Fazackerly | 
