TSA Introduces New Credential Authentication Technology at Rochester Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented new credential authentication technology at the Fredrick Douglas Greater Rochester International Airport. The latest generation of CAT units, known as CAT-2, now includes a camera that captures an in-person photo of travelers to verify their identities.

This new technology is designed to scan travelers’ photo identification and confirm their identity and flight details without the need to exchange boarding passes. The touchless tablets with cameras compare the in-person photo of the traveler to their photo ID, streamlining the security process.

Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York, emphasized the importance of identity verification in the security screening process. The CAT-2 units enhance detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent IDs and increase efficiency by automatically verifying a passenger’s identification.

As the TSA prepares for the summer travel season, which is expected to bring the highest passenger volumes at airport security checkpoints, the implementation of this new technology comes at a crucial time. With Memorial Day weekend approaching, TSA anticipates nearly 3 million passengers on Friday, May 24, making it the busiest travel day.

Despite the new technology, passengers are reminded to check in with their airline and bring their boarding passes to their gate before boarding a flight. The in-person photos captured by the CAT-2 units are only used for comparison to the traveler’s photo ID and are immediately deleted from the system.

This advancement in technology aims to enhance security measures while expediting the screening process for travelers. With the implementation of CAT-2 units, TSA is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and efficiency of airport security checkpoints.