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TSA suspends registered traveler enrollment

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it is suspending New York based Verified Identity Pass, Inc. (VIP) - the company that operates Registered Traveler (RT) programs under the brand name Clear® - from enrolling new applicants due to vulnerabilities discovered in the company's storage of Clear® applicants' sensitive personal information. The issues came to light after an unencrypted VIP laptop computer containing pre-enrollment records of approximately 33,000 customers.was discovered to be missing from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on July 26.

TSA has instructed SFO to ensure that VIP immediately notifies the individuals impacted. In addition, SFO and all other airports using Clear® have been instructed to ensure that VIP: suspends enrollment, ceases use of any unencrypted computers and secures the devices until encryption can be installed.

Verified Identity Pass will be required to submit an independent audit, verifying that the required security measures are in place. Current Clear® customers will not be affected by this action and will not experience any disruption when using Registered Traveler.

TSA issued a statement that it is contacting all Registered Traveler service providers to reaffirm proper security measures are in place, including encryption of sensitive personal information of participants. TSA remains committed to partnerships with private sector entities that enhance the safety and convenience of the flying public. In a recent House subcommittee hearing on aviation security, Air Transport Association representatives and VIP's CEO, Steven Brill, disagreed on the value of the Registered Traveler program.