K2 Secuirty announced that Mara Winn has joined K2 Security Screening Group as vice president of aviation. In this role, Winn will lead their team in the design, planning, management and installation of critical security infrastructure for airports, supporting safe, efficient operations across the aviation sector.
Winn brings more than 25 years of experience spanning program management, strategic roadmap development, and full product development life cycles, from threat and needs analysis through implementation and closeout. At the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), she led the Innovation Task Force, where she modernized acquisition systems, oversaw technology deployments at airports nationwide, and managed large operational teams.
Most recently, she served as a senior executive with the U.S. Department of Energy in the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) and the Energy Information Administration. She also supported the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office in technology insertion and radiation and nuclear detection acquisition projects.
“We are excited to welcome Mara to K2 and look forward to the expertise and leadership she brings to our aviation security mission,” said Kathy Neiswender, president of the Security Screening Group. “She has been a trusted partner to leaders across the federal government and private sector, and her addition further strengthens our position as an industry leader in aviation security.”
Winn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Smith College and a Bachelor of Engineering from Dartmouth College, along with additional certificates from Boston University and American University. She is a Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds multiple technical certifications.Top of FormBottom of Form
Apstec Merlin – The New Standard for Non-invasive Security Screening to Detect Metallic Threats
Stockholm – Dubai, January 9, 2026 – Apstec Systems® (Apstec®) continues to deliver the Future of Security Screening, announcing today the launch of its new AI-driven discriminative metal detection system, Apstec Merlin, at Intersec Dubai (The World’s Leading Safety, Security and Fire Protection Event) at the Dubai World Trade Center from January 12–14.
Apstec Merlin sets a new standard for non-invasive security screening of people and their belongings. The walk-through system accurately distinguishes between metallic threats, such as firearms or knives, and everyday items, such as phones and keys, without the need for divestment.
Apstec Merlin is an intelligent and cost-effective solution that enables publicly accessible venues such as mass transport hubs, entertainment venues, and sports stadia to non-invasively screen large numbers of visitors, improving security while simultaneously enhancing the entrance experience.
“We are delighted to be launching Apstec Merlin at Intersec,” said Niclas Gustafsson, Apstec’s Group CEO/COO. “Apstec Merlin represents a major step forward in the evolution of metallic threat detection technology, offering a robust, intelligent, and affordable solution to today’s security challenges. Intersec gives us a great platform to engage with decision makers in the Gulf Region and globally.”
Developed specifically for customers who require a cost-effective, high-throughput, and non-invasive screening solution to detect and discriminate between metallic threats and everyday items. Compact, adaptable, and easy to operate, Apstec Merlin is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing security operations. It provides fast, reliable, and accurate screening of people and their belongings without compromising comfort or throughput.
Visitors to Intersec will have the opportunity to visit Apstec at stand number S3-D44 for demonstrations of the new Apstec Merlin, as well as the award-winning Apstec Falcon for AI-driven detection of explosives, weapons, and narcotics.
SeeTrue AI announced that its SeeTrue Automated Prohibited Items Detection Software (APIDS) has become the first and only solution to receive European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) certification for use with the Analogic ConneCT and Rapiscan 920CT EDSCB machines.
Following its National Dutch Certification in April 2025, SeeTrue has now completed the full ECAC testing process and received formal ECAC certification and approval under Europe’s most rigorous aviation security evaluation framework, the Common Evaluation Program (CEP).
SeeTrue APIDS software is integrated into the Analogic ConneCT and Rapiscan 920CT platforms using an open architecture interface, securely processing CT images on-premises to automatically detect prohibited items. SeeTrue PI alerts are displayed within the original scanner user interface for operator review. This streamlines checkpoint workflows, improving overall efficiency.
The ECAC-certified APIDS Standard 1 algorithm, combined with Analogic’s and Rapiscan’s ECAC-certified EDSCB C3 systems, enables advanced Image on Alarm Only (IOAO) CONOPS and real-time automated detection. Together, these capabilities deliver faster, more consistent, and regulatory-approved screening performance.
“Achieving ECAC certification marks a major milestone for SeeTrue and for the aviation security industry,” said Assaf Frenkel, co-founder and CEO of SeeTrue. “This achievement reaffirms our commitment to delivering best-in-class, proven, and trusted AI capabilities that meet the highest international certification standards. It sets a new benchmark for reliability and performance and further strengthens our position as a trusted partner for next-generation detection solutions. Airport partners that have already implemented our certified algorithm within an Image on Alarm Only (IOAO) CONOPS have seen immediate gains in throughput and operational efficiency.”
Airports seeking to enhance security and operational efficiency should contact SeeTrue to initiate APIDS implementation. Join the growing number of airports already deploying automated, regulatory-approved detection to meet current and upcoming screening requirements. APIDS@seetrue.ai
Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA), in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and iProov, announced that Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) is now live at Aruba’s U.S. Pre-Clearance facility. After completing hardware installation earlier this week, CBP began processing U.S. citizens using EPP on Tuesday.
EPP brings a modern, biometric departure experience designed to make the Pre-Clearance process faster, smoother, and more efficient. Already in use at airports such as Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Dublin Airport, EPP securely verifies traveler identity in seconds, reducing wait times and creating a more seamless flow for departing U.S. citizens returing home.
How EPP Works
Through a brief facial biometric scan, EPP matches a traveler to their passport biometric credentials and CBP’s Traveler Verification Service (TVS), eliminating the need to present a physical passport unless additional review is required.
According to the company, key benefits include:
Quick biometric verification matching a traveler’s face to their passport in seconds
Group-friendly processing, accommodating families & children
Brief interaction with a CBP officer, followed by direct access to the departure gate
Reduced queue times, giving passengers more time to enjoy their final moments in Aruba
EPP requires no application and is automatically available to U.S. citizens departing Aruba.
The introduction of Enhanced Passenger Processing is a timely and important milestone, helping us deliver a smoother and more efficient departure experience for U.S.-bound travelers, especially as we navigate the construction phases of our Gateway 2030 expansion,” said Jurgen Benschop, Chief Operations Officer at Aruba Airport Authority N.V. “Together with our partners, we remain committed to innovation and service excellence, and we appreciate our passengers’ patience as we continue building a more modern and efficient airport for the future.
“We are pleased to bring Enhanced Passenger Processing to Aruba,” said Wendell A. Roberts, port director, CBP Aruba Pre-Clearance. “The technology strengthens security while offering a modernized, expedited departure experience for U.S. citizens returning home.”
“We are delighted to partner with Aruba Airport Authority and CBP to bring EPP to Aruba’s U.S. Preclearance site,” said Andrew Bud, founder and CEO, iProov. “This deployment improves operational efficiency and ensures a fast and relaxed border entry into the United States, allowing departing U.S. visitors, including families and those requiring assistance, more time to enjoy the beautiful island.”
With the majority of Aruba’s visitors originating from the United States, the launch of EPP marks an important step in elevating the overall travel experience and strengthening operational efficiency at the airport. By streamlining the Pre-Clearance process and reducing wait times, EPP helps create a smoother journey for departing U.S. travelers. This enhanced flow improves the passenger experience and supports our continued efforts to optimize airport operations during peak travel periods.
Ipsotek, an Eviden business, today announced the launch of VISuite Core, a new AI-Video Analytics solution built around a carefully curated set of pre-built capabilities designed to address high-value use cases across large-scale deployments. Informed by extensive analysis of real-world operational environments, the solution is engineered to deliver measurable return on investment, regulatory compliance, and cost reductions.
Developed to overcome the barriers that have traditionally limited analytics adoption at scale, VISuite Core removes configuration layers and costs associated with large video analytics deployments. By prioritizing a proven, standardized capability set over bespoke implementations, organizations can unlock value from existing video infrastructure through a repeatable, plug-and-play deployment model suited to distributed estates and partner-led rollouts.
Building on Ipsotek’s innovations in applying Generative AI to video analytics, the solution extends these capabilities to large-scale deployments through VISuite Core’s model. Generative AI, combined with streamlined workflows and pre-built, sector-specific use cases, will enable reliable and consistent rollouts without consultative tuning. This approach lowers barriers to adoption and provides organisations with a value-driven foundation focused on ROI, efficiency, and compliance, supporting confident and scalable adoption.
Key Features & Capabilities
Curated set of sector-focused use cases, designed to deliver actionable alerts and operational insights that have true return on investment.
Generative AI–powered automatic configuration, enabling fast, repeatable deployment at scale.
Streamlined, intuitive UI, reducing training time and simplifying day-to-day operation.
Purpose-built dashboards and reporting, providing clear visibility into trends, performance, and compliance metrics.
Primary Benefits
Rapid deployment: Plug-and-play style format minimises installation effort and eliminates the need for complex integration.
Immediate ROI: Workflows are built around operational outcomes that drive the greatest financial, compliance, and safety impact.
Scalable channel distribution: Automated configuration supports partner-driven deployments across wide networks of sites.
VISuite Core is being introduced with an initial focus on sectors where operational oversight, regulatory compliance, and consistency across multiple locations are essential. These include petrol filling stations, where reliable monitoring is central to safety and compliance; schools and educational institutions, where enhancing situational awareness and safeguarding measures is increasingly important; and energy and utilities, where securing dispersed, high-risk infrastructure is critical. Following this initial release, Ipsotek will broaden VISuite Core’s sector coverage through a modular development roadmap that allows new vertical applications to be added efficiently as market needs evolve.
Dr. Boghos Boghossian, CEO & CTO at Ipsotek, commented: ‘’VISuite Core marks a significant evolution in how AI-Video Analytics can be delivered. By using Generative AI to automate configuration and augment the traditions by focusing on the most impactful industry workflows, we are enabling our customers and partners to deploy analytics at a scale that was previously impractical.”
Ipsotek will showcase VISuite Core throughout Intersec UAE in Dubai January 12 – 14, 2026, with demonstrations available for attendees interested in seeing VISuite Core in action and learning more about the evolving VISuite product family.
The importance of early-stage security design, multi-stakeholder coordination, and alignment between technology, people and processes to be highlighted
The Intersec 2026 International Security Leaders’ Summit will bring together global leaders to share best practices, benchmark innovations, and shape the next generation of integrated security strategies worldwide
Intersec 2026 takes place from 12-14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai, UAE: Intersec 2026 will demonstrate how integrating security from the outset can serve as a strategic enabler for the Gulf’s rapidly growing giga-developments during the International Security Leaders’ Summit, which takes place from 12-14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Speaking ahead of his participation in a panel titled Regional Vision, Global Solutions: Embedding Security Innovation into Megaprojects, Malcolm Smith, Public Safety Excellence Director, Royal Commission of AlUla, has outlined how giga-project environments such as AlUla, NEOM, and Diriyah are reshaping the intersection of public safety and urban development by utilising the expertise of security professionals from the onset of initiating giga-projects and throughout the project development.
“Security is now embedded as a core pillar of the master planning process rather than a late-stage operational consideration. Integrating security professionals from concept design through to construction and operations ensures people, process, and technology are aligned with urban design, tourism flow, operational resilience and project objectives,” said Smith.
Covering sectors like tourism, heritage, energy, transport, and residential development, regional giga-projects feature varied risk
profiles and operational needs. Ensuring unified security across these complex sectors requires a coordinated approach to planning, governance, and technology integration.
Discussing the complexities of driving security innovation at the scale of the region’s giga-projects, Smith noted that their vast scale, wide scope, and multi-sector nature present unique integration challenges.
“Integrating systems that serve both public and private domains is challenging. Security solutions must balance high visitor experience expectations with strong resilience and compliance standards. This requires cross-stakeholder management and coordination between architects, technologists, security regulators, and end-users to ensure scalability,” he said.
Adding a technology perspective, Jake Phillips, Group Security Director at IHS Towers, one of the largest independent owners of shared communications infrastructure, emphasised that security innovation is equally critical to the resilience of communications infrastructure.
“We’re seeing a very proactive approach to reorganising security and adopting or integrating newer methods of providing security. There has been a lot of negative press and concerns surrounding AI. The hope is that when people look at what is available, rather than seeing a dark dystopian future, they see the entryway to a more secure reality.”
The panel, which takes place on the opening day of Intersec 2026, will also feature Abu Ahmed, Deputy Director, Head of Joint Security & Resilience Centre – Homeland Security, UK Home Office; Scott Paterson, Director of Security Operations – EMEA at The Walt Disney Company; and Eddie Reyes, Senior Vice President & Founder, RTSG.
In addition to addressing how security is integrated into multi-billion-dollar developments and outlining regional procurement practices and challenges for new technologies, the session will also examine lessons learned from recent megaprojects in the region and worldwide.
Dishan Isaac, Show Director of Intersec at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said the summit continues to evolve as a platform for strategic dialogue and actionable insight.
“Intersec’s conference programme is designed for senior professionals tasked with securing national assets, critical infrastructure, and emerging smart environments. The 2026 edition will explore how governance, technology, and leadership combine to create more resilient and adaptive security ecosystems across the public and private sectors.”
Intersec 2026 will host over 1,200 exhibitors from more than 60 countries across five core sectors: Homeland Security & Policing,
Cybersecurity, Commercial & Perimeter Security, Fire & Rescue, and Health & Safety. With over 50,000 visitors expected across 65,000 gross square metres of exhibition space, it is set to be the largest edition in the event’s 27-year history.
In addition to the Security Leaders’ Summit, Intersec 2026 will also feature the Fire & Rescue Conference, Health & Safety Conference, Access Control Theatre, and the SIRA Forum, offering attendees a comprehensive programme of specialised content tailored to today’s evolving security, safety, and fire protection industries. The event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and benefits from the strategic support of the General Command of Dubai Civil Defense (DCD) and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA).
Riyadh, Tuesday 16 December 2025 – METCO, with partner Smiths Detection, today announce that the opening of its new state-of-the-art Assembly and Manufacturing Facility, designed to assemble, commission and manufacture advanced screening solutions (including Smiths Detection’s industry-leading X-ray screening products) is scheduled for Q1 2026.
The new facility will not only serve as an assembly and commissioning hub but also feature a dedicated showroom where clients can explore the full range of METCO and Smiths Detection’s screening solutions and products. In addition, the center will include a comprehensive training facility, providing hands-on experience and professional development for security personnel and operators.
The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and beyond, supporting the Kingdom’s goals of technological advancement, workforce development, and local capability building in high-tech sectors. Importantly, the facility is expected to create a significant number of jobs for Saudi nationals and allow them to gain valuable experience at a national level, contributing to both career growth and the Kingdom’s broader development objectives. By collaborating with leading technology partners, METCO is ensuring that the facility upholds the highest standards of quality, safety, and innovation.
“We are excited to expand our capabilities with this new Facility,” said Osama Shasha, CEO of METCO. “It enables us to provide end-to-end support for our clients, from product assembly, commissioning, manufacturing to training and demonstrations, all under one roof, while contributing to the Kingdom’s broader vision for innovation, local industry development, and workforce skill-building. The facility is expected to begin operations in Q1 2026, offering an integrated platform for showcasing and supporting cutting-edge screening technologies.”
“We are proud to partner with METCO in Saudi Arabia,” said Matt Clark, VP Commercial at Smiths Detection. “Our mission is to make the world a safer place and together with METCO, we are committed to deploying industry-leading security screening solutions in KSA as well as training security operators to deliver the best possible security and passenger experience outcomes for airports.”
Samsara, a pioneer of the connected operations platforms, has announced new impactful results with Swissport, the airport ground operations, air cargo services and airport hospitality company. To establish an even higher standard for operations in the high-stakes aviation ground handling industry, Swissport North America leveraged Samsara’s AI-powered platform and achieved impressive results, including a 60% reduction in incidents and a 23% decrease in vehicle damage in just 18 weeks.
“The partnership between Swissport and Samsara is transforming the way we protect our teams and operations,” said Levi Blount, director of quality, health, safety, and environment, North America, ground handling and fueling at Swissport. “We have seen a huge return on investment, and no other system has had such a profound impact on our safety culture in such a short period of time.”
Proactive management with Samsara helped Swissport prevent incidents and vehicle and aircraft damage while enhancing on-time performance. The implementation of Samsara Vehicle Gateways and AI Dash Cams across Swissport’s North American fleet was critical to its success, with in-cab alerts providing immediate feedback on driver behaviors, allowing for instant self-correction. Real-time visibility enabled Swissport to allocate resources efficiently, especially when aircraft arrivals are delayed or early.
“Samsara has helped strengthen our world-class safety standards, including how we manage risk and operational performance,” said Tolly Savile, Chief Commercial Officer, North America, at Swissport. “What began as a technology deployment has become a competitive advantage. With every unit connected, we now have complete visibility across our operation, enabling data-driven decisions that enhance our high safety standards, optimize utilization, and strengthen accountability in real time.”
Samsara’s Strengths Clear for Aviation Industry Customers
Samsara enables the aviation industry to solve complex, on-the-ground problems with advanced AI and real-time insights. In a single dashboard, customers gain insights that empower them to maximize operational efficiency by streamlining vehicle and equipment tracking and maintenance, reduce incidents and risk to enhance frontline worker safety, lower runway incidents by ensuring workers and assets are in the right place, and reduce overall costs through lower insurance premiums and minimized asset damage.
Example aviation industry organizations that are Samsara customers*:
Three of North America’s top five largest passenger airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines
Prominent U.S. airports, including four out of the top five busiest: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Denver International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, among others
“Unsafe driving can lead to injuries, damaged equipment, and damaged aircraft. We had tried traditional methods to move the needle, but we weren’t seeing the improvement we wanted,” said David Over, Managing Director of Station Operations Support at Alaska Airlines, when describing the company’s choice to adopt Samsara’s platform. “Since installation, we’ve seen an average 72% reduction in unsafe driving alerts. Some categories are even higher, up to 80% in certain behaviors like mobile phone use. The data is clear: this is working.”
Service organizations that are essential to the passenger experience also rely on Samsara’s platform for safer and more efficient operations. Its technology supports the broader ecosystem of organizations—such as car, shuttle, and food services—that help passengers throughout their journey. Customers include Aeroport Taxi & Limousine Service, Alto, Farmer’s Fridge, LAZ Parking, among others.
“With Samsara, the aviation industry is gaining real-time operational insights that simply weren’t attainable before,” said Robert Stobaugh, Chief Operating Officer, GTM, at Samsara. “Now, every piece of the operations puzzle can be connected and managed in a single dashboard. This means efficient ground operations, safer frontline workers, and more on-time departures. We’re proud to be the technology partner supporting this innovation.”
Smiths Detection, advanced threat detection and security screening technologies provider, announced that its SDX 100100 DV HC X-ray scanner has been added to the Transportation Security Administration’s Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL), enabling its use by regulated operators across the US air cargo sector.
The dual-view system is designed to meet the highest air cargo screening standards required by the TSA for inclusion on the ACSTL. Qualification requires compliance with some of the most stringent performance and security criteria in the industry, ensuring that only advanced, reliable and operationally effective systems are approved to help safeguard the global air cargo supply chain.
The SDX 100100 DV HC uses two 160 kV X-ray generators to produce horizontal and vertical views of each item simultaneously. This configuration supports fast and effective inspection of tightly packed objects in a single pass, helps speed up the screening process, and provides strong steel penetration and high-quality images to support detection performance and operational efficiency. The design also improves access to the generators for maintenance and servicing.
“The addition of the SDX 100100 DV HC to the ACSTL means operators can now deploy technology that enhances detection performance, strengthens operational efficiency, and reduces security risk across cargo networks,” said Philip Tackett, Ph.D., VP of Technology at Smiths Detection. “This is an important milestone for our air cargo portfolio and reflects our commitment to delivering solutions that allow air carriers and freight forwarders to improve security while maintaining the efficiency their operations demand.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and Aireon have announced a strategic collaboration to deploy Aireon’s space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data for air traffic surveillance across the oceanic sector of the Kuala Lumpur Flight Information Region (FIR). This initiative marks a major milestone in strengthening Malaysia’s air traffic management capabilities and enhancing operational safety and efficiency across one of the world’s busiest international air corridors.
Aireon, in partnership with its local partner ClearWisdom, signed the agreement at this week’s Airspace Asia Pacific event in Hong Kong. The agreement includes Aireon’s EASA-certified space-based ADS-B data covering the oceanic service volume of the Kuala Lumpur FIR West Region. This includes a substantial portion of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, a critical corridor for flights connecting Asia and the Middle East.
Malaysia plays a pivotal role in the safe management of this region, surrounded by Jakarta FIR (Indonesia) to the south, Chennai FIR (India) to the west, and Singapore FIR to the east. Several regional air navigation service providers (ANSPs) including the Airports Authority of India and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have already adopted Aireon’s data services, contributing to greater interoperability and regional cooperation.
“Thank you to CAAM for entrusting Aireon to bring space-based ADS-B data to Malaysia,” said Peter Cabooter, Aireon executive vice president of customer affairs. “Air traffic in the region is poised to grow strongly in the coming years, and Malaysia is responding strongly by investing in safety for the airspace.”
“The implementation of Aireon’s space-based ADS-B service represents a key milestone in strengthening Malaysia’s air traffic surveillance capabilities, particularly over the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. This enhancement will support safer, more efficient airspace operations and aligns with CAAM’s continuous efforts to modernize Malaysia’s air traffic management system and advance regional collaboration,” said Dato’ Captain Norazman Bin Mahmud, CEO of CAAM.
The integration of space-based ADS-B forms part of CAAM’s long-term plan to modernise surveillance infrastructure and improve situational awareness in remote and oceanic airspace where ground-based radar is limited. This collaboration will support Malaysia’s commitments under ICAO’s Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), enabling enhanced safety, reduced separation standards, more efficient routing, and improved environmental outcomes.
