Aéroport International de Genève (AIG) is one of the most dynamic airports in Europe. The implemented AEOS system controls the access of a workforce of 13,500 manages 37,500 badges, 60 shops and 150 organizations working at the airport’s facilities.
One of the main reasons for AIG to choose Nedap AEOS as its security management system was its structural different architecture based on behaviour components. AEOS behaviour components allow the system to support and enhance the airport’s security policy and procedures. Moreover, changing requirements can be put into effect much more easily. Another advantage of AEOS is its capability of simultaneously handling multiple reader and credential technologies in a single system.
Different card and reader technologies in a single system
Four different identification technologies are used simultaneously in the AEOS access control system at Geneva Airport: Nedap, Mifare, Legic and magnetic stripe. Each technology serves a different purpose. The Nedap Combi card has been put into place combining all the required technologies and increasing convenience for the users, as they do not have to carry four different cards.
Nedap technology is used for convenient hands-free access of up to 1m distance for people, and long-range reading distances for vehicles. Vehicle identification at the premises is achieved via the Nedap transit long-range reader and compact tag, which detects vehicles up to 10m away. Mifare technology is used, amongst others, for data transaction purposes such as secured storage of biometric templates in the Mifare chip. Legic technology is applied to preserve previous investments in the field of access control. For vending purposes, a magnetic stripe has been added to the Combi card.
Contractor, vendor and permit management
The majority of AIG’s workforce is employed by the 150 vendors operating at the airport. A considerable amount of time is required to manage the flow of people and access rights of the contractors working for these vendors. The contractors are to be managed and separated from AIG employees. For the airport, it is important to separate the access rights and events and alarms generated for each category of persons in the access control system. Furthermore, the access rights for contractors should be blocked automatically once they have finished their job or once the vendor’s permit has expired.
The AEOS features contractor, and vendor and permit management provide a good solution. Contractor management distinguishes contractors from employees and visitors. The contractors’ person data are linked to the vendor information and a contact person. Vendor management registers the applicable vendor data and links the vendor to a permit. A permit determines how many and which contractors are allowed to work on it, the type of work it is issued for, and the validity period. Once the permit has expired, all the contractor’s access rights are automatically blocked.
Managing visitor security at Geneva Airport
A strict security policy is in place with regards to visitors. As they are not allowed to walk around freely, they must be accompanied by an authorised employee at all times and will only receive access to certain areas in the employee’s presence. Only a certain, selected group of employees are allowed to accompany a visitor.
This security policy is enforced via the two men rule, which means that a visitor badge should only be accepted when an employee badge is presented at the same reader within a certain time frame. Thanks to the AEOS behaviour components, this specific security policy is easily put into effect. AEOS verifies the authorisation that is granted to the visitor and determines whether the employee is authorised to guide a visitor. When these conditions are fulfilled, access is granted.