Summary:

In anticipation of U.S. government Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulations, the Company (as it is referred to throughout this paper) took a proactive approach and engaged ADT to help customize a solution that would integrate the new government-issued Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWICTM ) card with their current electronic access control system. While not yet fully implemented due to the regulations not having been finalized, ADT is helping the Company to prepare to meet the new expanded requirements as soon as they are issued.

Project Scope:

The Company, a large oil refiner, has more than 600 sites with 20,000 cardholders who will be affected by the MTSA regulation that will require the TWIC card. ADT currently maintains 25 locations that utilize the Software House® C•CURE® access control solution and is developing a solution that will allow the Company to utilize their existing card readers which may result in an estimated $600,000 savings for the Company.

Challenge

Congress directed the federal government, through MTSA, to issue a biometric security credential to individuals requiring unescorted access to secure areas of facilities and vessels and all mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials or qualification documents.

As a leading independent oil refiner and marketer, the Company was seeking to get a jump-start in complying with the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulations. These regulations require the Company’s personnel who needed unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities and vessels to have the appropriate Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) as a way to control access to critical areas such as ports. The Company, which already had a Software House C•CURE access control system, decided to begin testing and implementing a system that would meet the TWIC standards — even as the government is still testing and outlining their requirements.

Solution

Needs Assessment. . Having had an existing relationship with ADT, the Company turned to ADT to help them develop a cost-effective solution that would integrate their current Software House® C•CURE® access control system into an electronic access control system with TWICTM cards functionality to help comply with MTSA regulations.

TWIC and Access Control Integration.After evaluating the anticipated direction of the MTSA and the Company’s system, ADT determined it could re-engineer the Company’s existing electronic access control system with minimal modifications. The system, a Software House C•CURE solution, is well maintained and is considered one of the top access control systems available — making it more readily adaptable to modifications. Abiding by the MTSA regulations which required that an individual present their access card and it would be checked against a database for verification before granting or denying access, the ADT® Advanced Integration team set about configuring an upgrade that would perform as specified.

The team implemented a software solution that is used for Personal Identity Verification (PIV) and would be the liaison between the on-site reader accepting the TWIC cards, the U.S. government server which would house the status of the individual, and the Software House access control system.

Results

By being proactive, anticipating future regulations and involving ADT Advanced Integration in the early phase of this project, the Company benefited from time and cost efficiencies. The ADT Advanced Integration engineering team had sufficient time to explore options and, in this case, was able to configure a solution that integrates well with the Company’s current system which could potentially save the Company $600,000. Since deploying this software solution, the Company is currently enrolling TWIC cards into their access control system, and once the government implements the new regulations, the Company will be ready to use the cards to grant or deny access.

ADT services go beyond the installation of security systems. ADT is U.S. Department of Homeland Security SaFeTY act certified and designated for Electronic Security Services, including installation, integration, training and maintenance.

ADT Advanced Integration has a Petro-Chem & Energy Solutions team dedicated to serving the Petrochemical industry. This team has petrochemical security experience pre-dating 9/11, MTSa, TWIC and CFaTS and has the knowledge to help deliver solutions in support of these regulations. In addition, each team member is Chemical-terrorism Vulnerability Information (CVI) certified and can help customers develop and establish total security management plans for perimeter detection systems, video surveillance, and access control. ADT Advanced Integration provides the following services: system consultation, project management and coordination, system installation and commissioning, general construction, system training, and maintenance and service. Plans are implemented with a practical approach to help configure an integrated security solution that is efficient and cost-effective.

Information in this article is current as of June 2011, the publication date.
License information is available at www.adt.com/licenses/ or 1-800-ADT-ASAP®
©20011 ADT Security Services, Inc. ADT, the ADT logo and 1-800-ADT-ASAP are registered trademarks of ADT Services, AG, and are used under license. ADT Advanced Integration is a Division of ADT Security Services, Inc. Software House and C-Cure are registered trademarks of Sensormatic Electronics Corporation and are used under license.