December 16, 2002

The SHARVIT gateway gathers data about the person seeking passage into a secured facility in real-time. Tadiran Electronic Systems has announced a strategic cooperation with biometric security innovator VeriTouch Ltd., based in New York City, to develop its SHARVIT sleeve gateway system for securing airport, government, and military facilities in the United States.

“We are proud to be associated with one of Israel’s most advanced technology companies in the development of this unique and powerful system for securing vital infrastructures in the United States,” Gary E. Brant, CEO of VeriTouch, said.

Tadiran, a diversified world leader in the delivery of advanced military communications and command and control systems, is integrating VeriTouch’s fingerprint biometric technology into its computerized turnstile gateway which ensures that only one authorized person may gain entry to secure facilities including nuclear power plants, military bases, airport jetways, and government operations centers.

The SHARVIT gateway gathers data about the person seeking passage into a secured facility in real-time, including biometric data and other physical data to ensure that only the authorized person can enter the guarded facility.

The proprietary algorithms used and biometric checkpoints ensure that the facilities are protected from potential terrorist actions and unauthorized entry. The system is monitored and operated by a single operator, thus enabling the deployment of multiple systems in one location.

The gateway is capable of authorizing access at a rate of 8 seconds per person, allowing passage of large traffic flows into busy facilities.

“This system is the fruit of our work with the Israeli security authorities. We are confident that it can eliminate any unauthorized attempts to enter secure spaces,” F.H. Ben-Israel, the President of Tadiran said.

In a related development, An Israeli firm has developed a step-up scanner designed to spare travellers the nuisance of having their shoes removed and checked for hidden explosives at airports.

The sole-searching “Safeshoe” also detects metal items which could be used as a hijacking weapon, Avi Kostalitz of Ido Security told Reuters. The product is in final trials and due to be marketed by early 2003 at some $10,000 a unit, he added.

Footwear became a focus of aviation security worldwide after a suspected Islamic militant, Richard Reid, was arrested last December for allegedly attempting to detonate explosives stuffed in his shoes while on a flight from Paris to Miami.

Kostalitz, a former head of Israel’s Airports Authority, said the briefcase-size Safeshoe was portable and designed to be used in conjunction with standard airport X-ray gates.

“This means an end to the humiliation of standing around barefoot while some stranger goes through your shoes,” Kostalitz said.

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