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| L-1 Enterprise Access solutions enabled RTA to tighten security measures and reduce HR costs |
The challenge
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai was formed in 2005 in order to build secure public transportation infrastructure for one of the fastest growing cities in the world. In order to increase security and lower costs, the RTA wanted to increase the security at the entrances to its offices and restricted areas. Employees were trading access cards, which were tied into the organisation's time and attendance system, making it impossible to know who was coming and going and to track accurate time and attendance records. The RTA wanted a solution that would better identify who was entering its offices and ensure that employees used their own access cards.
The solution
The RTA began looking for a biometric solution in order to enhance security since biometric credentials cannot be lost or exchanged. Biometrics would also enable the RTA to increase security while keeping the access control process quick and simple for employees.
The RTA wanted a high quality solution from a trusted vendor that had been proven in the field and soon selected fingerprint readers from L-1 because it is the leader in biometric solutions. With the help of local L-1 systems integrator and reseller, Integrated Systems LLC, the RTA implemented 50 V-Station and two V-Smart fingerprint readers throughout their organisation. Both solutions addressed key security requirements for the organisation, including support for its existing MIFARE access cards, providing an enhanced level of two-factor secure access and being flexible enough to implement offline throughout a large-scale physical site.
Typically, there are three accepted ways to authenticate or prove identity to a system or an authorised person. Something you have - like an ID card. Something you know - such as a PIN number. Or something you are - a biometric, such as facial features or fingerprints. When two or more of these are used together for an identification decision it is called multi-factor authentication. By using two-factor authentication with the combination of a MIFARE access card and fingerprint verification, RTA has increased the level of secure access without additional enhancements.
Employees now authenticate themselves using their fingerprint and access card. |
L-1 V-Station and V-Smart readers also allow the finger template to be stored on the smart card instead of an internal database. This makes it easy to administer a dispersed workforce with offline readers. The user is required to have the card in his possession which securely stores the finger template for matching on the reader.
"It's critical that we prevent employees from exchanging cards so we can maintain accurate records. L-1 is the most trusted name in biometric access control and we knew we could rely on the company's high quality fingerprint readers," said Mohammed Abdul Karim Mohammed, Administrative Control Manager at the RTA. "L-1 network of partners also ensured we could work with someone locally who could bring expertise to our solution, such as Integrated Systems LLC."
Employees now authenticate themselves using their fingerprint and access card. The fingerprint readers were also tied into the RTA's time and attendance system in order to prevent employees from punching in for each other.
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| Roads and Transportation Authority of Dubai rely on most trusted L-1 Biometric Access Control |
The results
The RTA was able to increase security, ensuring only authorized personnel could gain access to its premises. By tying L-1 readers into its time and attendance solution, the RTA was also able to increase the accuracy of its time and attendance records, thereby lowering human resource (HR) costs. Because employees can now no longer exchange cards and punch in for one another, the RTA was also able to reduce the time it spends processing time and attendance and managing its access system.
"L-1 Enterprise Access fingerprint readers enabled us to tighten our security measures and reduce HR costs," Mohammed Abdul Karim Mohammed said. "We knew that we could rely on the most trusted name in biometric access control."
L-1 fingerprint readers will also be implemented at RTA's new headquarters, scheduled for completion in 2010.
