Secondary Screening WDS Aims to Streamline Post-Alert Security Workflows at Entry Points
Security officer reviews real-time Imaging Radar data on a tablet and monitor as Athena Security’s Secondary Screening WDS™ scans bags and footwear in a high-traffic entry screening area.
Athena Security, a leader in AI-powered entryway security solutions, has announced the launch of the Athena Secondary Screening WDS™, a secondary screening system that uses non-ionizing Imaging Radar technology to assist officers in screening bags, boots, footwear and lower-body concealment areas in real time.
The system is designed to improve alarm resolution workflows after alerts are triggered at primary screening checkpoints, including walkthrough weapons detection systems and AI-assisted X-ray baggage screening systems. It introduces a downstream screening station positioned near the main entry lane, allowing individuals flagged at primary screening to be directed to a secondary area without disrupting entry flow.
In typical deployments, Secondary Screening WDS™ operates as a dedicated station that supports continued throughput while enabling additional screening and automatic documentation of outcomes for compliance reporting.
Athena Security says the system is built on the same core Imaging Radar technology architecture used in its Ambulance Bay Weapons Detection System (AB-WDS) and is intended to improve speed, visibility and situational awareness during secondary screening.
“How organizations handle secondary screening is becoming just as important as primary screening,” states Chris Ciabarra, Co-Founder and CTO of Athena Security. “Many security environments still rely heavily on manual searches, handheld wands, or pulling every item out of a bag. Secondary Screening WDS™ was designed to give officers faster visibility into concealed areas while improving operational flow and reducing unnecessary invasive searches.”
The system uses Imaging Radar sensors to generate live imaging data during screening. Individuals can walk through the screening area or pause briefly between system panels while officers review a live imaging feed. Officers can also rotate or spin a bag near the unit to capture additional viewing angles of dense or layered items.
Primary screening systems provide threat localization and material composition context, while Secondary Screening WDS™ adds a non-invasive inspection layer for bags, backpacks, footwear, lower-leg concealment areas and carried belongings.
The system is intended to reduce reliance on manual bag checks, unnecessary shoe removal and invasive secondary searches while improving visitor experience and operational efficiency.
Real-time imaging data is displayed on an Apple iPad control interface and a large-format TV or monitor used for live review.
The system is designed to help officers identify concealed metallic objects, dense anomalies, hidden footwear items, lower-leg concealment concerns, suspicious bag contents and other concealed objects requiring further inspection.
It is intended for environments requiring both security and throughput, including hospitals and healthcare facilities, K-12 schools and universities, stadiums and entertainment venues, corporate headquarters, board meetings and shareholder events, government facilities and critical infrastructure locations.
Secondary Screening WDS™ is designed to support layered security workflows and can operate alongside walkthrough screening systems and AI-assisted X-ray baggage scanners. It integrates into Athena Security’s broader entryway security ecosystem, which includes the Apollo 500 AI-powered concealed weapons detection system, AI-Assisted X-Ray Baggage Scanner, Hospital Visitor Management System (VMS), Ambulance Bay Weapons Detection System, AthenaVision™ AR Alert Glasses and Telepresence Security Officer.
“Our vision is human-in-the-loop security enhanced by advanced sensing technologies and AI-assisted workflows,” says Lisa Falzone, Co-Founder and President of Athena Security. “Secondary Screening WDS™ gives officers another tool to make faster and more informed security decisions while maintaining operational efficiency.”
The platform includes DHS-informed secondary screening workflow guidance intended to standardize procedures and improve consistency across security operations.
Athena Security plans to showcase Secondary Screening WDS™ at healthcare, education and physical security industry events throughout 2026.
Organizations can request a live demonstration of the layered entryway workflow, including walkthrough screening, secondary screening, AI-assisted X-ray and hospital visitor management systems, at Athena-Security.com.