Hakimo helps security take off at Punta Gorda Airport through AI software solution

MENLO PARK, Calif.—Hakimo, a technology company dedicated to modernizing physical security through its artificial intelligence (AI) software, announced that Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) in Florida has deployed the Hakimo solution to enhance security and support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) compliance efforts.

PGD, one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, offers commercial service to more than 50 destinations in addition to supporting a large general aviation population. The airport turned to Hakimo to help monitor for and reduce incidents of unauthorized access by people and vehicles (piggybacking and tailgating) at the airport. 

U.S. airports are required to implement access control measures to prevent unauthorized access as part of their airport security program which is approved and checked by the TSA. The Hakimo software helps address these requirements by applying artificial intelligence to the airport’s existing access control and video surveillance systems.

“You can have countless policies and procedures in place, but you don’t really know what’s happening unless you have a guard at every access point,” said Raymond Laroche, Director of Operations and Maintenance, PGD. “The Hakimo AI software is that guard.”

“It has been a privilege to work with the stellar security team at PGD to implement Hakimo’s advanced AI technology,” added Samuel Joseph, Co-Founder and CEO, Hakimo. “PGD is already known in the aviation industry for their forward-thinking approach to security, and this further supports their vision.”

Hakimo artificial intelligence algorithms make it possible to automatically analyze video corresponding to every badge swipe and detect piggybacking or tailgating if and when it occurs by looking at the number of unique individuals or vehicles going through the opening. The artificial intelligence software can then provide the security team with a real-time alert when it detects piggybacking or tailgating. This provides organizations with a scalable way to accurately determine piggybacking or tailgating. For compliance and forensic purposes, they also have a way to easily share video clips with external authorities.

In addition, the Hakimo software helps change behavior in support of security programs. It can automatically send an email to a badge holder when there’s a tailgating violation, or the security team can speak with them directly to let them know about the issue. This results in real behavior change in badge holders, as seen in practice at PGD.

Finally, with actionable insights from the Hakimo artificial intelligence solution, security teams can guide security system maintenance and help inform security programs and planning. This includes uncovering potential insider threats, changing employee behavior, identifying faulty hardware and more.

Watch the Hakimo solution in action at PGD.