TWIC Cards, But No Card Readers Yet

Sept. 21, 2006
TWIC cards to begin issuance at the end of this year, but card readers won't be ready at same time

Reuters reported today that when the Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, the so-called TWIC cards, are rolled out at the end of this year, they won't have readers.

The TWIC cards were specified by the Department of Homeland Security use smart cards with encoded identity data that enables verification of the card holder's identity. And while the technology-enabled cards will be provided to an estimated three-quarter of a million workers, Reuters reported that a TSA spokesperson said that the card readers -- required to read the electronically stored data -- will not be available until the year after.