ALEXANDRIA, Va., February 22, 2007 – The American Association of Airport Executives announced today that its Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) has entered into a contract with Vigilant Solutions, which will use the TSC’s services for the Registered Traveler (RT) program. The TSC provides the Transportation Security Administration-designated Central Information Management System (CIMS) for the U.S. RT program.

In November, the TSC began operation of the CIMS, which is the world’s most advanced interoperable information management system of travelers’ biometric data. With the CIMS fully operational, private companies such as Vigilant Solutions are now able to offer interoperable RT services at participating airports across the country, allowing travelers to use their RT cards seamlessly at any participating airport.

Carter Morris, Senior Vice President at AAAE, said he is encouraged by the growing number of partners that work with the TSC for CIMS services. “The CIMS has had a remarkable start building on the TSC’s proven track record supporting many critical Transportation Security Administration vetting and credentialing programs for the aviation industry. Since December, the Clearinghouse CIMS system has enrolled thousands of registered travelers on a network that seamlessly brings together TSA, RT service providers and their customer airports. Now, as we add our third RT service provider as a customer, we anticipate significant growth consistent with the successful implementation of the national interoperable Registered Traveler program.” Morris said. “We are pleased with the progress CIMS has made since its launch. More importantly, we’re proud to be working in partnership with TSA, airports, and a growing number of service providers to support the ultimate goal of simultaneously improving security and efficiency at the nation’s airports.”

“We are excited to sign the CIMS usage agreement with AAAE and are very pleased with the continued support of the highly qualified and experienced team at AAAE who are making the integration between our two systems very easy," Vigilant Solutions CEO John F. Andrews said.

As outlined in the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium’s Technical Interoperability Specification, the CIMS is necessary to ensure interoperability, security, and efficiency in a national RT program. As the designated CIMS, TSC is responsible for several key functions, such as processing all records, interfacing with the TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials. In addition to Vigilant Solutions, the TSC is currently providing services for the Verified Identity Pass “Clear ®” and Unisys “RTGO” programs.