Port of Wilmington Tightens Security Using Datastrip Mobile ID Card Readers

The rugged ID card readers operate with Codebench PIVCheck Plus software.

The Port of Wilmington took a major security step to comply with the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. Port security officials are using Datastrip’s DSV2+TURBO® rugged ID card readers to enroll and positively identify the port’s authorized workers. Codebench’s PIVCheck Plus software drives Datastrip’s mobile readers. 

ID Card Readers

“We investigated several systems and felt that the Datastrip and Codebench solution is most compatible with our existing physical access control system,” said Patrick Hemphill, manager of port security at the Port of Wilmington. “This allowed us to successfully integrate information from our database with the handheld card readers to comply with the TWIC standards.”

Port Security Software

Port security officials have been using three Datastrip DSV2+TURBOdevices with Codebench’s PIVCheck Plus software at the main gate to enroll TWIC cards. In addition, Codebench’s PIVCheck Plus software has been installed on one of the port’s desktop computers so that TWIC cards can be registered on-site. Port officials have future plans for mobile security patrols to use the DSV2+TURBOunits to spot check workers.

“With the handheld Datastrip-Codebench solution, port officials can enroll TWIC cardholders from virtually anywhere in the port and transmit that data to the ProWatch physical access control system,” said Eric Schaeffer of Advantech Inc., the port’s integrator. “The quick speed of enrollment has provided an invaluable time savings that port officials can put toward other important projects.”

The field-proven DSV2+TURBO®meets government standards, attesting to its rugged durability. The unit is weather-resistant to the elements, as well as drop-resistant to withstand freefalls. When integrated with Codebench’s PIVCheck Plus software, the DSV2+TURBO provides a critical link between the TWIC card and a port’s PACS, allowing users to quickly validate and manage credentials.