O'Hare International Airport chooses fingerprint recognition by SecuGen Corporation to beef up security

First large-scale use of fingerprint-recognition technology in aviation.

Milpitas, CA (October 3, 2001) In the first-ever large-scale use in aviation, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport will potentially upgrade its existing building access-control system based on fingerprint-recognition technology from SecuGen Corporation. O'Hare has installed, and is currently testing, five smart card fingerprint-verification readers using SecuGen's technology. If the testing is successful and is approved, the solution will be installed on approximately 1,100 doors at both O'Hare and Midway airports. The readers verify the smart-card holders' identities and allow only authorized employees to enter restricted airport areas such as jet ramps, baggage handling and other secure rooms.

"We are looking at the solution presented by SecuGen to upgrade our building access-control system for two key reasons," said John Becker, O'Hare's assistant commissioner of security operations. "First, SecuGen is able to integrate its technology into our existing infrastructure, which effectively provides a 'plug-and-play' solution that is compatible with our existing security system. This makes the upgrade easy to install with almost no downtime. Second, their reader solution is affordable, costing just about what our current mag-stripe readers do."

Here's how the system works:

• The airports' approximately 55,000 employees will register their fingerprints using a SecuGen optical fingerprint sensor.
  
  
• The sensor captures data about the fingerprint, converts it into templates - similar to 40-digit security codes - and stores the template on a smart card issued to each employee. (Employee privacy is protected because templates cannot be used to reconstruct fingerprints, and fingerprint images are never stored anywhere on the system.)
  
  
• Employees insert their smart cards into a SecuGen reader at the door. The reader then prompts the employee to place his or her finger on the optical sensor.
  
  
• The reader makes sure the employee's fingerprint data matches the template in their smart card, then grants or denies access to the door based on the employee's access level.

"By choosing SecuGen technology, O'Hare is clearly demonstrating that the security of its employees and passengers are its primary focus," said Dan Riley, vice president of software development of SecuGen Corporation. "Because fingerprint-recognition technology relies on a characteristic unique to each individual that can't be stolen or forgotten, it provides reliable advanced security that can effectively control accessibility throughout the airport."

In May this year, SecuGen delivered smart card fingerprint door units and smart cards to O'Hare. Currently, units are installed on several doors and a test panel in secured areas of the airport. SecuGen Corporation is working with SecurCom, Inc., a Chicago-based security company, and Biometric Solutions Group, one of SecuGen's OEM partners, to implement the new building security system.

About SecuGen Corporation A pioneer of the biometric industry, SecuGen Corporation designs, manufactures and markets its award-winning optical fingerprint recognition technology worldwide. SecuGen's products have been integrated into a broad range of applications including Internet, network and desktop security, physical access control and other electronic products. As a trusted source for reliable hardware and software products, SecuGen is committed to ongoing research and development in biometrics technology. For further information please contact Dan Riley, VP of software development at (816) 880-9843 or driley@secugen.com.

About O'Hare International and Midway airports The world's commercial aviation capital for over 30 years, O'Hare International Airport is the hub of all U.S. air transportation and the top economic engine of the Midwest. Each day, approximately 200,000 travelers pass through O'Hare; more than 72 million passengers passed through O'Hare in 2000. O'Hare International Airport has 75 commercial, commuter, and cargo airlines offering frequent service. Midway Airport is conveniently located 10 miles from downtown Chicago. In 1999, Midway served more than 13 million passengers. In 1998, Midway became the fastest growing airport in North America when it served 11.4 million passengers, breaking a 1959 record.

© 2001 SecuGen Corporation. All rights reserved.