JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Beginning in July, Joint Base Langley-Eustis security forces personnel began using the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) in order to more efficiently regulate access to the installation.
The system, which utilizes handheld scanners to verify personnel status via their ID card, is designed to provide security feedback at entry points and confirm authorized access to security personnel.
However, the introduction of DBIDS at JBLE has raised questions from the community regarding its necessity, benefits of use and concerns about the impact it has on traffic flow into the installation. U.S. Air Force Capt. Michael Warren, 633rd Security Forces Squadron operations officer, addressed some of these concerns:
1) What prompted JBLE to begin using the DBIDS system?
DBIDS has been implemented throughout the Air Force and Department of Defense in recent years. JBLE is the final base in Air Combat Command to implement the system. DBIDS was developed primarily to meet Presidential Security Directive (HSPD-12) to enhance security by decreasing the number of unauthorized entry attempts, increase government efficiency, reduce identity fraud and protect personal privacy. HSPD-12 mandated the establishment of a government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification issued by the federal government to its employees and contractors. DBIDS is the Air Force's Physical Access Control System (PACS).
2) Why do personnel only scan about one in five IDs? Isn't that defeating the purpose of using the system at all?
Currently, DBIDS is undergoing a phased implementation process. In order for the system to work properly, each ID card holder must be registered with the system. The current generation of DBIDS registers users on the handheld device you see at the gates instead of at a work station at the Military Personnel Flight or the Visitor Control Center. The registration process on the handheld scanner takes an average of 5-7 seconds per user. After registration, the system scans credentials at a faster rate (1-7 seconds depending on signal strength, bandwidth, et al.)
In the phased implementation plan, base entry controllers are balancing expeditious installation access with the need to register as many users as possible. Phase 1 of the implementation consisted of base entry controllers using the DBIDS to scan all IDs during non-peak traffic hours. Phase 2 (which began Sept. 15) consists of entry controllers scanning a defined ratio of vehicles during peak hours, as well as continuing the practice of scanning all ID's during non-peak hours. Subsequent phases will increase the peak traffic scanning ratio gradually.
Once again, the goal of this phased approach is to continually register users during the implementation period while reducing traffic congestion at the gates. During the implementation period, entry controllers also have the ability to modulate DBIDS usage based on congestion at the gates. If the system is causing a traffic backup, the entry controller has the latitude to reduce usage to keep traffic moving efficiently.
3) When do you expect to start scanning everyone's ID card?
As of Jan. 1, 2015, the base entry controllers will implement 100 percent DBIDS usage for all personnel requesting access, during peak and non-peak traffic hours.
4) The system has increased my wait time at the gate. Is this going to get worse? How is this going to work during rush hour traffic with long lines at the gate? What's the plan to deal with backups caused by using DBIDS?
The system does marginally increase the processing time for vehicles at the gates. The longest delay is when an individual is being initially registered in the system - the first time their card is scanned. While we understand that a longer wait may occur when DBIDS is in use, we ask the base populous to be patient and plan their commutes as appropriate to allow for possible delays. As full registration occurs, we expect wait times to decrease. The benefits of using DBIDS far outweigh the costs of a slightly longer wait time to enter the installation.
5) How does this really make us any safer compared to visually inspecting ID cards? What does scanning the card tell you about that ID?
DBIDS is an extremely valuable force protection tool. Manual inspection of an ID card can tell the sentry certain things about the ID -- genuineness, validity, correspondence to the person presenting the credential, et al. -- but cannot tell us all we need to know about the credentials and the individual requesting access to the installation. DBIDS communicates directly with centralized Air Force personnel databases, providing the entry controller comprehensive feedback on the validity of the credential itself as well as key information about the person requesting access within seconds. This information was only available to entry controllers in the past through cumbersome paper-driven processes. DBIDS streamlines all phases of the installation access control process resulting in more efficient and effective entry control.
The system works, and has already resulted in the denial of access to many unauthorized persons, as well as aiding in arrests of wanted persons at JBLE. This system provides comprehensive access control and force protection information to base entry controllers which makes the entire JBLE community a safer place to work and live.
For more information, contact the Langley VCC at 764-7770 or the Fort Eustis VCC at 878-1878.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Staff Sgt. Katie Gar Ward contributed to this report.