advanced passenger analysis: helping governments transform border control

Global Border Management SolutionsSeptember 2008

Advanced Passenger Analysis: Helping governments transform border management

Advanced Passenger Analysis

Introduction

Faced with growing threats from organized crime, illegal immigration and

terrorism, governments around the world are increasingly seeking new and

more effective ways to secure their borders. Many are considering how to move

their border controls as far as possible from their national frontiers by checking

visitors in advance of arrival. This technique, known as Advanced Passenger

Analysis (APA) is becoming a vital element of border management programs.

Using Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record

(PNR) data collected by carriers in advance of arrival at the border, IBM has

helped clients make key decisions before passengers arrive at their destination,

enhancing security and speeding up the processing of the vast majority of bona

fide visitors and citizens.

This has transformed the way nations manage their borders. Resources can be

deployed more effectively, and interventions can be planned and undertaken

at less cost. In some cases, those who would pose a risk can be prevented from

travelling.

In this paper, we will explain the key issues to be addressed when implement-

ing Advanced Passenger Analysis solutions. From low-cost methods of collect-

ing API/PNR to sophisticated analytic tools, from data privacy to collaboration,

from operational and systems integration to stakeholder engagement and part-

ner management, we will share our experience gained in live projects.

Table of contents

Introduction 2

Business operating model 3

Key attributes of APA 4

Data collection 5

Data privacy 5

Benefits 6

How IBM can help 7

For more information 7


Business operating model

First, we provide an overview of the key elements of an APA solution.

A real-time risk assessment is performed by collecting passenger information

(API and PNR) from the airlines or their agents and comparing it with various

databases and profiles with resulting probability of a “match.” System assess-

ment is then backed up by human validation to determine whether a “match”

should be regarded as genuine and thus become a “hit” and potential “alert.”

Alerts will be passed on to the appropriate border control agencies for action.

The concept is to clear as many low-risk passengers as early as possible in the

travel process, so that the agencies can focus their attentions on those who

generate a hit.

Highlights

This paper explains the key issues

with regard to an IBM Advanced

Passenger Analysis solution.

Carriers Operations Center

Border Control

API/PNR Alerts

Board/No Board Intelligence

Watch listsEntry/exit records

Other government agencies


Key attributes of APA

The bulleted points below show the key attributes of a successful APA system.

Collaboration

• APA needs a coordinated approach between airlines, border control, police,

customs and legislators.

Data collection

• IBM works with airline clients all over the world, giving us a valuable insight

into the way airline systems are built and operate. IBM’s experience in

connecting over 90 airlines to one government’s collection system shows that

we can manage the process change and stakeholder relations in addition to

handling the technological aspects of the project.

Data analysis

IBM has a range of software products that enable the required data analysis

capabilities:

• IBM Relationship Resolution extends the value of existing information assets by

linking unique resolved identities to outside entities to establish relationships

and uncover links.

• IBM Identity Resolution resolves inconsistent, ambiguous identity and attribute

information into a single resolved entity across multiple data sets.

• IBM Anonymous Resolution enables multiple organizations to selectively share

data and leverage proprietary data in a manner that never exposes sensitive

information.

Operational and systems integration

• The role of the operations center is to add a human decision-making process to

the automated analytic process.

Highlights

Key attributes of an APA system

include:

• Collaboration

• Datacollection

• Dataanalysis

• Operationalandsystem

integration

• Stakeholdermanagement

• Supplypartnermanagement


Stakeholder management

• Without a rigorous agreed set of shared values and objectives between the

stakeholders, individual priorities will take precedence during the lifetime of

the project and make it likely to fail to deliver its full potential.

Supply partner management

• This is an area of constant innovation where new technologies can enhance

current systems. IBM supports clients in a dialog with vendors to select the

optimal mix going forward.

Data collectionAPI data is the information contained in the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of

the travel document and includes the document number and its validity dates,

the name, nationality and date of birth of the holder. This information can

be used to check against watchlists of wanted or suspected persons as well as

against records of lost and stolen travel documents. This data can also be used

to form the basis of an entry/exit system.

PNR data is the data contained in carrier reservation systems and departure

control systems. It includes information about the ticket and how it was pur-

chased, the routing, baggage and seating. This data can be used to look for sus-

picious characteristics in peoples’ reservations and journeys.

Guidelines for the use of API and PNR data are set out by the International

Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The European Union has also produced a

directive on the use of API for border control. IBM solutions comply with these

guidelines and laws.

Data privacy

Data privacy is a critical issue for governments and citizens alike. IBM has

developed a new approach to collect data from carriers through a private net-

work offering our clients both a secure and low-cost method of capturing API/

PNR data. This ensures that only those with a lawful right to see the data can

have access to it. Data access and usage can also be managed and monitored so

that data privacy regimes are adhered to.

Highlights

IBM has developed a new approach

to collect data through a private

network that offers both a secure

and low-cost method of capturing

API/PNR data.


Benefits

Business benefits will depend on the uses made of the solution and may vary

from nation to nation but can include:

• The system automates complex and error-prone manual tasks, giving

government agencies early warning of who is planning to travel to their

country (or leave) so they can plan accordingly.

• Although no new information is created, passengers are being compared

with databases that have never been used in this context before (e.g., police

and intelligence databases).

• The system provides improved information regarding the number of people

entering and leaving a country (on the routes being processed).

• Data is available for further analysis to improve profiles and provide further

pattern analysis. This benefits a number of border control agencies.

• For incident prevention, real-time processing provides immediate alerts for

high-risk passengers intending to travel.

• Improved operational intelligence for customs, police and immigration

officials can identify chains of relationships amongst passengers and persons

on watch lists.

• For increased national security, the solution automatically uses the latest

watchlists and profiles with matching rules.

• To help reduce complexity, a single IBM solution supports multicultural

names, various spellings and dates of birth, and all networks and airlines.


How IBM can help

Homeland security organizations require more than just new technology;

they require a comprehensive approach based on a clear understanding of the

issues, a deep understanding of the airline business, advanced business and

technological thinking, and talented professionals who are passionate about

what they do.

IBM is committed to supporting and assisting governments and partner

organizations as they address the challenge of improving border security. We

have invested in a dedicated global team of industry consultants, subject matter

experts and solution developers that is focused on homeland security.

Our solutions combine IBM’s unique insight into homeland security

organizations, with leading strategic consulting skills and unparalleled

technical assets to help our clients forge a new path to more effective, efficient

and responsive border management. Our success is accomplished by building

strong relationships with our clients and their partners, by completing

complex systems integration projects on time and within budget, by providing

consulting services, and by introducing innovative solutions that are backed

by IBM’s extensive research and development capabilities and underpinned by

IBM’s broad portfolio of technology offerings.

For more information

To learn more, contact: Peter Graham, [email protected], or

Paul McKeown, [email protected]

Highlights

IBM is committed to supporting and

assisting governments and partner

organizations as they address the

challenge of improving border

security.

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