Biometric IDsDNC seeks hi-tech credentials and tickets for convention

Along with photo and barcode, color coding and biometric data can be included for a more secure ID card // Source: smartcode.com

For the upcoming Democratic National Convention, event organizers are currently seeking companies that can create highly-sophisticated security badges and tickets that are not easily forged or copied.

With the President of the United States in attendance along with other senior lawmakers and government officials, security has been given a top priority, but with thousands of participants and employees milling around, this task will prove to be a particular challenge.

Aside from the high-profile attendees, thousands of volunteers, staffers, media, and other support staff will need access to the venue. To ensure that the right people are getting in, event organizers will issue special credentials.

Jason Vickers, a private security consultant and a former executive bodyguard for CEOs of major oil and gas companies in the Middle East, said the credentialing process “should include background criminal checks called NCIC checks – that will only add to the expense involved here.”

To print and issue these special passes, the Democratic National Convention is currently seeking bids from a select number of trusted companies.

According to the Examiner, organizers are looking for new technology that surpasses the current industry standard of holograms, watermarks, and special inks.

Hugh Long, a private security consultant based in Charlotte, North Carolina, believes that biometrics would be the best way to secure a large event like the Democratic convention.

“In the future, event badges may include biometric identification and bar codes. Problem is it is expensive to do that. Badges now are typically color-coded to show perimeter access. This is where DNC and security officials should be looking at,” Long said. “For example, a purple badge may allow access to the middle perimeter and red allows access to the inner perimeter.”

Long explained that the convention will most likely be “protected by a series of security rings.” An outer ring, where people first enter, a middle ring, where people may be subjected to increased scrutiny, and the inner-most area would be highly secured with double identity checks and restricted access.

In a dated Secret Service training document obtained by the Examiner, the agency notes that for major events, companies who issue credentials can cut corners resulting in a security gaps.

“Because proper credentialing can be very expensive, some special event organizers cut corners on this task. For example they sometimes don’t conduct adequate proper background checks on personnel and/or don’t invest in badges that can’t be counterfeited,” the agency noted.

So far, the DNC has said little regarding the credentialing technology they plan to use or the vendor they will select to issue credentials and print tickets. Due to security concerns, event organizers will not reveal the name of the company they select in an effort to prevent malicious actors from attempting to infiltrate the company ahead of time.