The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) is about to begin testing what it calls a Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) If the federal government has its way, transportation workers will soon be carrying more than cargo—they’ll also have to tote new identity cards. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) is about to begin testing what it calls a Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC), a card that the TSA wants every employee in the transportation industryfrom truckers and airport baggage loaders to dock workersto carry. The cards may contain personal information and biometric finger- print data that will make them difficult to forge or use if stolen. The TWIC is meant to replace the various methods of identification used by individual ports, says Robert Johnson, a TSA spokesman.This summer the TSA plans to test a variety of cards at the Port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, Calif., and the ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Del. If the testing goes well, the cards could go nationwide as early as next year, says Johnson.Identity cards have emerged as a hot-button issue in the shipping industry. Some opponents fear the TWIC is the first step toward a national ID card, while others are opposed to anyone having a database of personal information. At least one company, the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), has instituted its own biometric ID card in advance of the TSA mandate. LISCR, based in Vienna, Va., functions like a registry of motor vehicles for 2,000 cargo and luxury vessels. It sees its cards as a way to improve maritime identification practices and as a tool in the fight against terrorism, says Scott Bergeron, chief operating officer of LISCR. Like the TSA’s cards, LISCR’s IDs will use biometric fingerprint data, as well as digitized photographs of the cardholder and encoded personal information. LISCR is testing the cards with 2,000 of its individual members and hopes to roll the IDs out to all of them by the end of 2003. Related content feature Top cybersecurity M&A deals for 2023 Fears of recession, rising interest rates, mass tech layoffs, and conservative spending trends are likely to make dealmakers cautious, but an ever-increasing need to defend against bigger and faster attacks will likely keep M&A activity steady in By CSO Staff Sep 22, 2023 24 mins Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and Acquisitions brandpost Unmasking ransomware threat clusters: Why it matters to defenders Similar patterns of behavior among ransomware treat groups can help security teams better understand and prepare for attacks By Joan Goodchild Sep 21, 2023 3 mins Cybercrime news analysis China’s offensive cyber operations support “soft power” agenda in Africa Researchers track Chinese cyber espionage intrusions targeting African industrial sectors. By Michael Hill Sep 21, 2023 5 mins Advanced Persistent Threats Cyberattacks Critical Infrastructure brandpost Proactive OT security requires visibility + prevention You cannot protect your operation by simply watching and waiting. It is essential to have a defense-in-depth approach. By Austen Byers Sep 21, 2023 4 mins Security Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe