The government has published a case study on a national capability which provides industry, the Civil Aviation Authority, law enforcement and the government with a secure system enabling the unique identification of all staff who have access to restricted areas at UK airports and fall within scope of legislation for enhanced background checks and repeat criminal records checks.
The Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) shaped and helped develop a proof of concept for APHIDS – which is designed to minimise insider threats - through innovative collaboration across its supplier network. A joint project between the Home Office and Department for Transport, APHIDS is now rolled out across in-scope UK airports.
The new system, which is a central source of information on people who hold, or are applying, for airside access passes, has been praised as extremely user friendly. This was achieved by extensive engagement at every part of the design and development process, putting users at the heart of every decision.
Naimuri was selected as the Home Office Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) industry partner to continue development and delivery of APHIDS through to public beta, and APHIDS went into live service in 2022, successfully building on early work with ACE. Naimuri, which is part of QinetiQ, also secured a support contract for APHIDS.
High adoption rates combined with positive feedback from industry and law enforcement users means the Department for Transport and the Home Office are now exploring the potential for APHIDS to be rolled out to other types of transport beyond aviation. This will further strengthen and protect the UK’s critical national infrastructure.