General Information
What is Civix ASC Access?
Civix ASC Access is a card-based fingerprint access control solution integrated with Civix Identity Management System (IDMS). It doesn’t require an additional biometric reader because fingerprint capture, extraction, and comparison are performed within the card. The card verifies the cardholder identity, and the access control system verifies the card’s authenticity and integrity.
How is Civix ASC Access different from other Biometric Access Card Solutions?
The biometric functionalities (fingerprint capture, extraction, and comparison) are performed within the Access card. This means: (1) there’s no need for special readers, and (2) biometric data never leaves the card, providing increased data privacy.
What areas of an airport make sense for the use of the biometric access cards?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is becoming an increasing part of an airport’s overall security posture and the use of biometric solutions is the primary method of achieving that goal. The ASC Access card solution can be deployed airport wide for all access control readers or targeted at specific higher risk areas such as the Airport Operations Area (AOA), Air Traffic Control Tower, administrative offices, data center or other information technology assets, and other critical infrastructure locations.
Has Civix done a Return-on-Investment (ROI) analysis on the ASC Access cards versus a traditional facial or fingerprint biometric 2FA solution?
Civix has not completed an ROI analysis between a facial or fingerprint biometric solution compared to the ASC Access card solution but offers the following thoughts about the comparison. A typical 2FA biometric solution requires proprietary hardware and software to be deployed at each airport access location, driving the costs for an enterprise solution to be out-of-reach for most airports. Many of the proprietary systems are difficult to obtain given supply chain constraints as well as the cost of installation of the devices at each access point.
The ASC Access card solution utilizes the existing card readers already deployed at most airport access control locations, significantly lowering the cost of achieving 2FA biometric authentication. The ASC Access biometric card capability does not require any ongoing maintenance or software upgrades because the airport does not need to replace the standard readers with proprietary biometric solutions. The only costs associated with the ASC Access solution are the cards and the enrollment software which makes this an extremely affordable 2FA solution for airports of all sizes. ASC Access can also be implemented within hours of receiving cardstock and equipment, rather than taking weeks or months to install new hardware and software.
What are the approximate costs to implement the ASC Access control solution from Civix?
Civix prices airport software based on the size of the airport to make it as affordable as possible. The cost of ASC Access control cards start at $75/each for low quantity orders with further discounts provided on higher quantities. ASC Access enrollment software is sold on a Software as a Service model as follows.
| Airport Hub Size | Annual Subscription Price |
| General Aviation and non-hub airports | $5,000 |
| Small Hub Airport | $7,500 |
| Medium Hub Airport | $10,000 |
| Large Hub Airport | $12,500 |
Implementation and integration to the airport’s access control system are quoted on a one-time basis based on the complexity of the ACS data structure.
Does Civix ASC Access use a battery like other Biometric Access Card Solutions?
No, the ASC Access solution does not require a battery to operate. It operates based on the power harnessed from the RF field of the access control reader.
Which Secure element does Civix ASC Access use?
ASC Access uses a proprietary IDEMIA StarChip® biometric secure element, custom developed for this platform.
Which fingerprint sensor does Civix ASC Access use?
ASC Access uses the IDEX Biometrics IDX3405 fingerprint sensor.
How is the fingerprint biometric data stored and secured on Civix ASC Access?
ASC Access does not store the full user’s fingerprint, but only an abstract representation of the fingerprints from the captured images. During enrollment, the fingerprint sensor passes the captured fingerprint images to the biometric secure element (SE) using an encrypted channel. The biometric SE extracts the biometric template, which is the abstract representation of the captured fingerprints. After this process is completed, all captured images are deleted and only the extracted biometric enrollment template is stored in the Civix ASC Access card secure memory.
Likewise, during later verifications, a freshly captured image is passed in encrypted form from the fingerprint sensor to the SE. The SE then extracts another fingerprint template (called the probe template) and compares it to the enrollment template.
Can I import biometric templates to Civix ASC Access that are already captured externally?
The import of biometric templates to Civix ASC Access is not supported for security reasons. ASC Access was developed to capture, process, and store the fingerprint template exclusively in the card and without the need of an external fingerprint reader.
Has the Civix ASC Access solution completed any active testing at an airport?
ASC Access has undergone a proof-of-concept at the Frankfurt International Airport and was proven successful enough that Fraport is issuing an access card RFP that will require the embedded fingerprint technology. The RFP will be released in Q1 of 2023.
Has Civix ASC Access undergone any tests for durability?
ASC Access has undergone extensive durability testing and is scheduled for technical testing as part of the Safe Skies initiative with a proof-of-concept planned at Richmond International Airport in Q1 2023. Richmond Airport is a TSA approved Airport Innovation Forum member for testing new security technology.
ASC Access Fingerprint Enrollment
How are badgeholders enrolled into the access control system at an airport?
Airports will utilize Civix ASC IDMS to enroll authorized badgeholders by placing their one finger on the enrollment reader in a repeated manner to capture the print. The enrollment process takes only a few minutes per badge holder, automatically integrating with the airport’s access control system to assign the appropriate access.
How many fingerprints shall the cardholder register on the card?
ASC Access requires 10 or more impressions for successful enrollment.
After a card has been enrolled with a cardholder’s fingerprints, is there any possibility of deleting them and performing a new enrollment?
Due to the high degree of security designed into the card, users perform fingerprint enrollment only once in ASC Access. Deletion of fingerprints or reuse of that particular card is not possible.
Civix Access Usage
Which access control readers/systems are compatible with Civix ASC Access?
Civix ASC Access currently supports HID® Seos® & LEGIC Advant
- HID® Seos®: Supports all the HID® Seos® compatible access control readers that have the field strength in ISO range (> 1.5 A/m). Civix ASC Access is currently undergoing interoperability testing with HID®, and results will be available by Q3 2023.
- LEGIC Advant: Supports all the LEGIC Advant access control readers that have the field strength in ISO range (>1.5A/m) and with reader firmware v3.0 or higher.
What are the implementation steps to add Civix ASC Access to existing access control systems?
ASC Access can easily be integrated into existing access control infrastructure without any change to the current physical infrastructure. The updates are needed in the card issuance and card usage.
Card Issuance:
The cardholder needs to be physically present during the card issuance to perform the fingerprint enrollment. Civix will provide the demo application, libraries, media files and documentation, so that customers can integrate the enrollment functionality and tutorials into their own badge issuance process.
Card Usage:
The cardholder needs to put their finger on the fingerprint sensor before presenting the ASC Access card in the access control reader.
When using the access readers, when should the user put his/her finger on the card?
Users are instructed to place their fingers on the fingerprint sensor before presenting the card to the access control readers or the RF field.
How long does it take to perform a biometric cardholder verification?
Approximately 1 second, within the ISO range of field strength (> 1.5 A/m).
What will happen when the card is lost or stolen?
The access control application in the card won’t be activated without the successful fingerprint verification of the enrolled user. No one can use the card other than the person with fingerprint enrolled.
What will happen when a user presents an ASC Access card to the reader without putting their finger on the fingerprint sensor?
The access control application in the card will not be activated without successful fingerprint verification.
Can a Civix ASC Access card be inserted into a plastic lanyard similar to what is in place at airports today?
Yes, ASC Access card dimensions are identical to those of regular airport badges, and a cutout for the finger would be provided within the plastic card holder.