Hand-held identification scanners becoming a reality at Tinker gates

Published July 30, 2012
72nd Security Forces Squadron

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Drivers who have entered Tinker Air Force Base recently may have seen the gate sentries using an electronic device to scan their IDs.

This system is known as the Defense Biometric Identification Data System or DBIDS.
The system is an Air Force mandated physical access-control system provided for Tinker by an Air Force headquarters-managed initiative. The system enhances Security Forces ability to protect the personnel and resources by providing a method to validate base access credentials against a "live" database.

The system allows immediate detection of fraudulent credentials, personnel without authorized installation access and personnel restricted from operating a vehicle on the installation, as well as detecting people wanted for questioning by other law enforcement agencies, said James Rollings, 72nd Security Forces Squadron Plans and Programs chief.

Recently, a system upgrade improved functionality and ease-of-use for the installation population. Under the new system, rather than requiring everyone go to the Pass and Identification building to register their credential with the system, each individual's ID is automatically registered as they enter the installation.

Drivers may have already observed this scanning process at base gates.

The 72nd Security Forces Squadron has developed an implementation plan designed to gradually introduce the brand-new system into standard operations. One of the primary concerns to Security Forces officials was causing a safety issue with more traffic backed-up at the gates. To decrease the risk, the scanners will initially be used when traffic is light.

System performance will be reviewed constantly in order to determine how long it takes a scanned credential to be processed by the database, said Mr Rollings. This analysis will allow Security Forces to adjust their procedures based upon how quickly the system can process personnel entering the installation.

There will be a phased local implementation of DBIDS, allowing the 72nd Security Forces Squadron to develop effective long-term usage policies. During a 30-day period beginning Aug. 1, Security Forces will begin to populate the database by scanning random personnel as they enter the installation. The purpose of this phase is to build the systems database and work out any system or process errors.

During this 30 day trial period, the DBIDS scanners will not be used to determine whether someone is allowed on the installation or not. Following this trial period, if no substantial errors have been encountered, the system will be used to determine installation access authorization for only personnel who have been issued a Common Access Card, Mr. Rollings said. After this period, following a performance review, DBIDS will be used on other credentials to include dependant, military retiree and contractor identification credentials.

Security Forces are taking steps to ensure the system has as little impact to normal operations as possible, and want to reassure everyone that this system is designed to increase public safety. Tinker Air Force Base has always been a safe community and this system provides another tool to ensure this level of safety continues in the future.