LATA installs SafeRise in its Chicago office building

Calling it a “game changing technology,” Los Alamos Technical Associates, Inc. (LATA) installed the SafeRise system from FST21 in its downtown Chicago office in September.

The LATA entrance now allows access by recognizing employees by the way they look, talk and walk, as well as being aware if they are in distress, and can even conduct a conversation with them and their visitors, according to a press release issued by FST21 on Oct. 27.

The SafeRise system modernizes the way people enter buildings, offices and secure areas. No key, no card and no code are required, because the face and voice of authorized personnel work like a key. Using second generation biometrics with a combination of face, voice, license plate and pattern of behavior recognition, SafeRise provides easy, automated and convenient identity management access, while maintaining the highest level of security, says the release.

LATA, a diversified engineering, environmental and technical services company serving a worldwide client base, has repeatedly set industry standards for excellence and has demonstrated the capability to solve the most complex scientific and engineering problems. LATA's federal and international programs division works extensively with the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State and other federal agencies.

LATA’s Chicago team focuses on information technology and systems integration, with expertise in biometrics, security, GPS/GIS and applications that can increase business efficiencies.

The installation represents an important move forward for FST21, a security and automation technology company, founded by Major General (Res.) Aharon Zeevi Farkash, a security specialist who served as head of Israeli Military Intelligence, said the FST21 release.

“This is the first system based on fusion technology that integrates facial recognition, voice recognition, and behavioral recognition into a cohesive identification system.” said Pat Anderson, department manager and manager of LATA’s Chicago office. “This is leading edge technology with a fusion of biometric technologies that delivers what it promises…and it does more, which is exactly what LATA was looking for. Any single (one) biometric system may be circumvented or fooled, but a combination (fusion) of biometric systems becomes almost impossible to fool.”

Codes and cards can be duplicated, lost or stolen. Fingerprint, hand geometry, vascular and iris technologies all provide personal identification. However, only SafeRise is non-intrusive, says the prepared statement. In addition, none of the other technologies can prevent tailgating, multi-people identification or loitering. And none of the other systems can recognize behavioral stress.

Before the SafeRise system was installed, LATA was using a hand reader with a keypad, which Anderson admits was invasive and a little too time-consuming for employees. Now, employees don’t even break a stride in walking toward the door and entering. The camera sees them, welcomes them and opens the door. Even though the hand reader and keypad are still there for the time being, all employees are only using the SafeRise system.

According to Anderson, “Before we recommend any product or technology to our clients (who need high level security solutions) we have to vet the system first. My team must research, use and test the system ourselves, and that’s why we had SafeRise installed in our office. Believe me, we have, and are putting it through rigorous testing and providing feedback to FST21. So far it has passed and we plan on expanding the system to other entryways. Most importantly, I can now recommend SafeRise to our clients.”

“The installation in the LATA office is significant for FST21 given the company’s solid reputation and their list of notable clients,” said Avi Lupo, president of FST21 Americas. “SafeRise is the future of access control and working together with LATA, I believe we will see more and more government and commercial buildings change from their current systems to SafeRise.”