By Jiri Marousek, President & Chief Executive Officer – NATA Compliance Services d/b/a Airtera

Modern airports face increasing challenges in managing security and compliance while keeping operations functioning at their highest potential. Identity Management Systems (IDMS) must now meet minimum standards to address these needs effectively. Automation, self-service, real-time monitoring, biometric integration, and seamless regulatory compliance are essential. Yet, many existing systems still rely on outdated processes, creating inefficiencies that airports can no longer afford.

The Challenges of Legacy IDMS

 Many airports continue to rely on IDMS platforms built for an earlier, less complex era. These systems create roadblocks in several key areas:

1. Manual, Paper-Based Processes: Legacy platforms often require manual steps for background checks, training, and renewals, causing delays and additional administrative work.
2. Limited Automation: Without automation, tasks like compliance tracking and badge renewals become labor-intensive and prone to errors.
3. Inflexible Technology: Older systems often lock airports into specific hardware or access control vendors, restricting their ability to adopt new technologies.
4. Costly Updates: Regulatory changes or system upgrades typically require expensive change orders, creating financial and operational strain.
5. Scalability Challenges: Managing multiple locations or scaling for growth is difficult, as legacy systems lack the flexibility needed for centralized operations.

These limitations, among others, highlight the need for systems that are designed to handle today’s regulatory and operational complexities.

 What a Modern IDMS Must Deliver

To meet the demands of airport modernization, an IDMS must include the following capabilities as a baseline:

1. Automation of Core Processes: Automating tasks like training assignments, compliance tracking, and renewals saves time, reduces errors, and ensures smoother operations.
2. Self-Service Tools: Badge holders should have the option to manage their own onboarding, training, and credential renewals, reducing the burden on administrative teams.
3. Real-Time Monitoring: An IDMS must provide real-time updates for background checks, training completions, and credential issuance to eliminate delays.
4. Flexible Integrations: Biometric, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), Access Control Systems (ACS), and other integration capabilities for enrollment and access control enhance security and streamline operations, making them critical.
5. Proactive Compliance: An IDMS should adapt to regulatory changes seamlessly, without the need for costly updates or disruptions.
6. Scalability for Multi-Location Management: A modern platform must support multi-airport operations, ensuring consistent management across all facilities.

How Innovation Addresses Industry Needs

An IDMS with the capabilities listed above can address these challenges effectively. By integrating automation, biometrics, and regulatory expertise, such platforms set a new standard for efficiency and adaptability as airports’ needs change. With self-service enablement, operators can also empower badge holders to manage their own onboarding and renewal tasks while administrative resources are freed, improving efficiency.

These capabilities demonstrate how modern platforms address industry demands and provide the tools airports need to adapt to evolving requirements.

Moving Forward

The features discussed here are no longer aspirational, they are essential for meeting the operational and regulatory demands of today’s aviation environment. Systems that fail to deliver these capabilities leave airports exposed to inefficiencies, compliance risks, and unnecessary costs.

The transition from legacy systems to modern platforms is not just about embracing new technology—it’s about meeting the needs of a rapidly changing industry. Platforms like NATA CS, d/b/a AirTera, show that these challenges can be addressed with solutions that are efficient, scalable, and built to handle the future of aviation security. For airports, adopting such systems is not an upgrade—it’s a necessity to remain compliant, secure, and operationally efficient.

Jiri Marousek
President & Chief Executive Officer – NATA Compliance Services d/b/a Airtera

Jiri Marousek is a visionary leader driving innovation in safety, security, and compliance through advanced technology solutions. As President and CEO of NATA Compliance Services (NATA CS) d/b/a AirTera, he is redefining industry standards by delivering integrated, real-time solutions that empower aviation operators, ground operations, service providers, and airports.

 

DISCLAIMER

This article was provided by a third party and, as such, the views expressed therein and/or presented are their own and may not represent or reflect the views of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), its management, Board, or members. Readers should not act on the basis of any information contained in the blog without referring to applicable laws and regulations and/or without appropriate professional advice.