Snag in the Port

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have a new biometric security system in place, but it may not be that effective since several thousand workers have not picked up their new ID cards.

Coast Guard officials say that nearly 67,000 truck drivers, longshoremen and other workers must carry TWIC cards, but more than 10 percent of those workers have yet to pick up their cards, possibly creating disruptions as the new system goes into effect.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano toured the complex Monday and said she expected implementation to go smoothly saying "I think we're doing really well."

Implementation of TWIC cards at both ports has been delayed seven months so far. Officials cite a slower-than-expected registration process. TWIC was mandated by Congress in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, and it has been implemented at most ports nationwide.

Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have been advised to show up to work whether or not they have received their cards. A small percentage, about 3 percent of the workforce, have either not applied for the card or have been denied. Some of those denied TWIC cards are appealing.

Let's hope this SNAFU can be quickly resolved and port workers can get back to work, performing a vital service to the nation's economy. While some have asked about employers who exploit the illegal labor market for their own gain, it makes sense for the Obama administration to muster appropriate cases against those employers and illegal aliens alike.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • It's Show Time

    I am one of those people that likes to see things get bigger and better. As advertised, ISC West is going to be bigger (more exhibitors) and better (more attendees). It’s show time in Las Vegas. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

  • SIA Releases New Report on Operational Security Technology

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released an impactful new resource – Operational Security Technology: Principles, Challenges and Achieving Mission-Critical Outcomes Leveraging OST. Read Now

  • Cyber Overconfidence Is Leaving Your Organization Vulnerable

    The increased sophistication of cyber threats pumped by the relentless use of AI and machine learning brings forth record-breaking statistics. Cyberattacks grew 44% YoY in 2024, with a weekly average of 1,673 cyberattacks per organization. While organizations up their security game to help thwart these attacks, a critical question remains: Can employees identify a threat when they come across one? A Confidence Gap survey reveals that 86% of employees feel confident in their ability to identify phishing attempts. But things are not as rosy as they appear; the more significant part of the report finds this confidence misplaced. Read Now

  • Mission 500 Debuts Refreshed Identity Ahead of Security 5K/2K at ISC West

    Mission 500, the security industry’s nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting children in need across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity ahead of ISC West. The charity’s new look includes a modernized logo with refined messaging to reinforce Mission 500’s nearly decade-long commitment to serving the needs of children and families in crisis. Read Now

    • Industry Events
Most   Popular

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.