Everything about a cruise should be relaxing, including getting on and off the ship.
Towards that end U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a New Platinum ‘ASTORS’ Award Winner for Excellence in Homeland Security in the AST 2021 Awards Program, in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line, has integrated facial biometrics into the debarkation process at the Port of New Orleans, becoming the latest seaport to modernize efforts to revolutionize cruise travel.
Protecting our nation, one face at a time
FASTER MEETS MORE SECURE
CBP is constantly evolving to meet the security needs of our nation.
Biometric Facial Comparison is just one of the many ways they are protecting our borders while delivering a safer, more efficient travel experience.
Here are just a few of the advantages biometric technology delivers:
-
Simplifies inspections and greatly reduces imposter threats.
-
Requires no direct contact and prevents the spread of germs.
-
Allows CBP Officers to focus more time on traveler safety.
-
Confirms traveler identity with more accuracy, security, and efficiency than ever before.
-
Streamlines the existing passport checks.
“As cruise travel resumes around our nation’s ports, CBP is working closely with the cruise industry to make travel safer and more efficient, while also supporting travel recovery efforts,” explains Steven Stavinoha, Director, Field Operations for CBP’s Gulf Coast Field Office.
“The biometric facial comparison process adds an extra layer of security and streamlines travel into the United States by replacing the manual inspection of travel documents with a secure, touchless process.”
This innovative entry process further secures and enhances the customer experience while protecting the privacy of all travelers.
-
The enhanced arrival process using facial biometrics verifies the traveler’s identity within two seconds and is more than 98% accurate.
-
When debarking the cruise vessel at a U.S. seaport, passengers will pause for a photo that will be compared to the traveler’s existing passport or visa photo in secure DHS systems to barometrically verify their identity.
-
Upon an efficient match, passengers collect their baggage, proceed through inspections and exit the terminal.
U.S. travelers and select foreign nationals who are not required to provide biometrics and wish to opt-out of the new biometric process can simply request a manual document check from a CBP Officer consistent with existing requirements for admission into the United States.
Already in use at major air and land ports of entry, facial biometrics in the cruise environment will strengthen CBP’s enforcement capabilities at several of the nation’s cruise ports while also enhancing the customer experience.
CBP and its cruise partners have also expanded data-sharing agreements to further strengthen security in cruise travel.
To date, facial biometric comparison technology is available at 12 seaports across the United States and has been successfully used to process arriving passengers on cruise vessels in Florida, New Jersey, Texas, California, Washington, and now Louisiana.
Currently, more than 119 million travelers have participated in the biometric facial comparison process at air, land, and seaports of entry.
Additionally, since September 2018 the CBP has prevented more than 1,100 impostors using genuine travel documents from illegally entering the United States at air and land Ports of Entry, by leveraging facial biometrics.
The New Orleans Field Office covers ports of entry throughout the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
To Learn More about the CBP’s use of biometric facial comparison technology to secure and streamline the arrival and departure process, please visit biometrics.cbp.gov.
(As non-essential travel resumes, we are excited to welcome fully vaccinated documented non-citizens to the United States at our land and ferry border crossings. Here are a few things you can do to facilitate your processing and help us get you to your next destination as smoothly and safely as possible. Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and YouTube.)
CBP Swears in New Commissioner
Chris Magnus was sworn in this morning by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas as Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection.
Magnus becomes the fifth confirmed CBP Commissioner since the law enforcement agency’s creation in 2003, following his Senate confirmation last week.
Commissioner Magnus brings with him a long legacy as a successful leader in public safety and law enforcement.
His most recent service as the Chief of Police in Tucson, Arizona, afforded him the opportunity to better understand the complex issues the dedicated men and women of CBP work on every single day in support of our mission.
Magnus has also served as police chief in Fargo, North Dakota and Richmond, California.
“Chris Magnus has decades of experience as a law enforcement officer and I am pleased he will now serve as the Commissioner of CBP,” said Secretary Mayorkas.
“He is assuming the leadership of an extraordinary organization that fulfills the vital mission of protecting our borders and advancing lawful trade and travel.”
“I am immensely grateful to Troy Miller, who has served as the Acting Commissioner with tremendous skill and integrity. Mr. Miller will serve as CBP’s Deputy Commissioner.”
“Commissioner Magnus and Deputy Commissioner Miller, along with the entire CBP leadership team and its great workforce, will propel the agency forward with dignity, integrity, transparency, and accountability.”
In addition to Secretary Mayorkas, Commissioner Magnus was joined by his husband, Terrance Cheung, Deputy Commissioner Troy Miller, Executive Assistant Commissioner Benjamine Huffman, CBP Chief of Staff Lise Clavel, and members of the DHS and CBP workforce.
Magnus grew up in Lansing, Mich., and earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and his master’s degree in labor relations from Michigan State University.
Commissioner Magnus now leads a law enforcement agency of 64,272 men and women.
(See Chris Magnus was sworn in this morning by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas as Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection. On behalf of all 64,272 men and women that proudly serve CBP, welcome!
CBP is the United States’ first unified border law enforcement entity and takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control. CBP combines customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated activity.
CBP’s enduring Mission Priorities are counter-terrorism, combat transnational crime, secure the border, facilitate lawful trade and protect revenue, and facilitate lawful travel.
To Learn More about CBP, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Honored in 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Sixth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
-
Excellence in Homeland Security
-
The Office of Field Operations (OFO) is a federal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) responsible for managing United States customs operations at 20 Field Operations offices, 328 ports of entry, and 16 pre-clearance stations in Canada, Ireland, the UAE, and the Caribbean.
-
Headed by a CBP Assistant Executive Commissioner, OFO directs the activities of more than 27,000 employees, including more than 22,000 CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists.
-
CBP Office of Field Operations is the largest component in CBP, has the largest working Law Enforcement Canine Program in the world, in addition to the Office of Air and Marine (AMO), and the U.S. Border Patrol, which was recognized in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
-
The vast majority of CBP’s resources are located along the Southwest border, from Brownsville, Texas to San Diego, California, and CBP canine teams are also strategically assigned to other ports of entry around the country, and located at pre-clearance stations abroad.
(Hear from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations Executive Assistant Commissioner William A. Ferrara, on his U.S. Trade experience with a focus on the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
-
The CBP was also recognized in the 2018, and 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Programs, respectively.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
AST Honors Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations, at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.
The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.
In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.
Our keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.
Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.
The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)
To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, be on the lookout for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.
It will serve as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It will also include featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
-
For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
