Latin America. Genetec analyzes how airports, even medium and small ones, can streamline the identity management of their employees and contractors in a cost-efficient way.
An airport's ecosystem is complex and involves many different actors: passengers, airlines, government agencies, and service providers. As the number of stakeholders within an airport increases, so does the potential for risk. This is why airport security is so important and especially in high seasons or holiday seasons, where we are returning to the number of pre-pandemic passengers.
In Latin America, the data indicate that travel continues to rise and that in the same region the number of passengers in Central America will recover first compared to 2019 (+2% in 2023), than in South America (+3% in 2024) and the Caribbean (+1% in 2025)1.
Therefore, operational security at airports has been strengthened to reduce the risk of internal threats, including compliance with regulations related to background checks and the management of identification cards for employees and contractors. Additionally, airports are expected to keep up to date and comply with all established rules and requirements so as not to be subject to fines.
Hundreds of thousands of employees work and access sensitive areas within an airport every day. For this reason, it is imperative to conduct thorough background checks on staff before granting them access to safe areas. However, this task is often easier in words than in deeds.
Human error is usually the weakest link
Paper management can be an overwhelming process for an airport's credentialing department. Airport regulatory authorities can come forward at any time and request an audit, or an authorized person can call to request that employee credentials be updated.
Human error can also introduce weaknesses in airport security systems. All it takes is a lost credential in the wrong hands. For this reason, according to the rules of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, if more than 5% of an airport's identification cards are lost or stolen, all inventory must be canceled and reissued.
"In a paper-based system, it's very easy to accidentally skip a section of a form, file something in the wrong folder, or misplace a document. Small mistakes like these can become a big problem if it means that important information cannot be found during an audit," said Alexcy Poveda, Industry and Product Manager at Genetec.
In addition, paper files are less secure. Personal information, such as identification numbers and home addresses, are available to anyone with access to the filing cabinet. Encrypted and digitally signed files are less vulnerable to curious looks.
In a digital system, the software will ask users to fill in the missing information before issuing an ID card, and the system is designed to ensure that files are stored securely and can be easily retrieved when needed.
There is no single credentialing solution for all airports
Sophisticated digital identity management system (IDMS) solutions can streamline employee investigation and manage staff access control. However, these systems are excessively complex, expensive and difficult to implement at smaller airports.
"Consequently, many small and medium-sized airports depend on a combination of different systems, this limits their ability to modernize," said Alexcy Poveda, Industry and Product Manager at Genetec.
Smaller airports need a system that is not too complicated, nor too expensive software. A system that facilitates compliance with accreditation protocols.
Unified, secure and simple credential generation for small and medium-sized airports
Within the technological advancement, the new Genetec identity management solution is a cost-effective turnkey identity management solution, which is simple and easy to implement in medium and small airports. This solution helps streamline and automate background checks with authorities, as well as reduce the human error of manual processing, without the complexity of a large-scale IDMS.
Additionally, this new solution is also directly linked to the unified access control system, which reduces the need to work with different systems and simplifies the entire credential generation process. This system is designed to help automate security processes and comply with audit and regulatory requirements established by the authorities.
The benefits of a unified airport security platform
Beyond credentialing, to build the airport of the future, it is necessary to have platforms that unify airport security solutions, which allow mitigating risks, improving planning and automating operations.
Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), for example, is considered the busiest airport in the Caribbean. SJU's security team uses unified security solutions to manage more than 1400 cameras and 500 airport gates. They also have an intercom module that allows two-way audio communication in doors and other sensitive areas.
The team is also using various analytics solutions to better manage crowds, secure the airport perimeter and track vehicles.
Within the unified platform, operators quickly receive alerts about gate security incidents, wanted vehicles, potential perimeter intrusions, or overcrown areas. In addition, they can see what is happening and make informed decisions about how to respond effectively to any situation. This increased response efficiency not only improves security in the terminals, but also ensures that passengers have a quiet and enjoyable airport experience, so they always come back.
Learn more about San Juan airport solutions here.
