Operational since 1974, the Cataratas International Airport in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, is located in a strategic area for the Mercosur, near Paraguay and Argentina, in addition to being located in the city of Foz do Iguaçu where tourism is the main activity. This entails a large circulation of people in the region; and according to data from INFRAERO, a total of 1,677,460 passengers and 5,981 airplanes were recorded there in the first half of 2013 alone.
It is in that context that the new Foz do Iguaçu airport security system was devised. For this, HID Global, a company specialising in secure identification solutions, and Augeo Engenharia, which works in Electric and Electronic Engineering projects, teamed up to implement the project, along with partners from other sectors.
HID provides the access control solution, while the other systems are developed by the partners involved in the project, among which are Honeywell, with access control and integration systems, CCTV systems, automation systems, sensors, and air-conditioning valves; Securiton with fire detection and alarm systems; and Augeo Engenharia as an integrator.
Challenges
Given the intense flow of people in 2013, the airport highlighted several points of attention, since its proximity to Paraguay makes the place prone to contraband activities. In addition, circulation tends to keep increasing, especially due to the major events to be hosted by Brazil in the coming years. In this scenario, the development of a strong security systems project was necessary to ensure protection, mainly in the restricted areas. The project also had to comply with the integration specifications required by INFRAERO.
“For us at HID Global Brazil, this project stands out due to the access control through iCLASS readers and cards. These cards have mutual authentication technology, providing end customers and all system users more security in the use of smart cards,” says Gustavo Gassmann, HID Global sales director.
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| A total of 123 card readers were implemented; 36 had one authentication factor, 41 had two factors, and 46 had three factors |
One of the main challenges was to find an access control solution that is completely integrated with all other airport systems, such as fire prevention/ detection, flight schedules, database, and others. HID Global’s technology supports this requirement, since it allows for integration with other interfaces. That makes the airport a pioneer in integrated systems.
Solutions
A total of 123 card readers were implemented; 36 had one authentication factor, 41 had two factors, and 46 had three factors. Authentication factors represent the levels of security in restricted areas. The first one refers only to proximity, the second factor to proximity and password, and the third to proximity, password, and biometrics, in order to provide non transferrable and exclusive access to the authorised person.
That three-level authentication strategy was chosen precisely to make access control stronger and avoid possible falsification and unauthorised entry. “In addition to complying with the technical requirements of the project, HID Global’s solution is the most suitable in terms of security, since iCLASS technology provides more protection against fraud, considering that other technologies are more easily circumvented,” says Marcelo Stege, commercial director of Augeo Engenharia, the company responsible for integrating the systems.
Results
Cataratas International Airport has already reinforced security in its restricted areas and it will be the first airport to operate with all systems integrated, in compliance with INFRAERO’s requirements. HID Global’s iCLASS technology and the use of smart cards provide more security and modernisation to users, minimising the risks of unauthorised access and contraband, as well as making falsification more difficult.
The project was designed to support a possible expansion; that is, if it is necessary to install more readers and cards, Augeo and HID are prepared to meet that demand. The solution addresses the need to expand infrastructure and security challenges arising from the major events to be held in Brazil in the coming years. In addition to Foz do Iguaçu Airport, HID Global is involved in the access control projects of several airports and stadiums in Brazil, expanding its portfolio and experience in security for major events.
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