When cities host events like the FIFA World Cup or the Olympic Games, the eyes of the world are watching. Behind the scenes, thousands of workers, athletes, dignitaries, and support teams need secure access to stadiums, transport hubs, and operational facilities. Managing identity, verifying credentials, and protecting critical infrastructure is essential to the safety and success of the event. 

Identity Is The New Perimeter 

Traditional security relied on physical checkpoints and visible badges. Today’s events require more. Identity must be verified digitally and seamlessly, often across dozens of locations and systems. Biometric authentication, mobile credentials, and integrated access platforms are transforming the way global events manage security. 

Our designs identity management systems that balance security, speed, and user experience. We integrate facial recognition, fingerprint scanners, QR-code scanning, and mobile ID technologies into platforms that serve both temporary and long-term security needs. 

Proven Expertise On A Global Scale 

Our team has secured high-profile venues, defense facilities, borders, and transit systems across five continents. We have helped cities manage security for military summits, airport expansions, and international sporting events. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, we supported safe and secure operations across venues, mobility hubs, and temporary infrastructure. 

We bring deep experience in both biometrics and critical infrastructure protection. That dual focus enables us to secure not only who enters a site, but also how core systems like power, water, and transport are monitored and controlled. 

Three Ways We Protect Events And Infrastructure 

Fast, Secure, and Scalable 

Global events require systems that are temporary, yet fully operational. Our designs identity and infrastructure protection solutions that scale up for peak demand and scale down post-event. Every solution is tailored to the host city’s operational, cultural, and regulatory context. 

Our systems support: 

• Multi-language and international credentialing 
• ADA and accessibility compliance 
• Integration with transportation and emergency services 
• Secure mobile and cloud-based administration 

We also provide mobile enrollment kits that allow for on-site credential creation, ideal for remote venues or fast-changing staff rosters. 

Beyond the Event: A Legacy Of Safety 

What we build for an event can continue serving the city long after the final competition. Biometric access systems can become part of long-term airport or stadium security. Credential management platforms can evolve into permanent tools for city agencies and transportation departments. Infrastructure monitoring systems can continue protecting essential services year-round. 

Cities gain: 

• Modernized access control and ID systems 
• Interoperable tools for emergency response and facility management 
• Upgraded security infrastructure for future events 
• Better visibility into who is where, and when 

A Partner In Smart, Secure Operations 

We are trusted by government agencies, defense organizations, and international event planners to protect the most sensitive environments in the world. We combine security engineering, identity science, and system integration to help cities deliver safe, efficient, and resilient operations. 

We collaborate with: 

• Local and national law enforcement 
• Emergency management agencies 
• Venue operators and private security providers 
• Transportation and infrastructure teams 

Our teams are on the ground before, during, and after the event, ensuring that systems work as designed and adapt as needed. 

Ready To Secure The World’s Biggest Moments 

Every major event is a high-stakes moment for host cities. We deliver the identity and infrastructure protection systems that help make those moments safe, seamless, and successful. From athletes to fans, from staff to leadership, we make sure the right people get where they need to go — and the systems behind the scenes stay protected. 

We’re ready to help cities host the world with confidence. 

The post Securing Access, Protecting Infrastructure: Bringing Identity And Safety To The World’s Biggest Events  appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

We reinforced our position as a global leader in counter-unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS) during NATO’s CUAS Industry Day at the NATO Alliance Headquarters in Brussels. The event brought together more than 100 representatives from NATO, Allied Nations, and industry partners to address the growing threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and explore collaborative paths moving forward. The gathering followed the October 2025 NATO Defense Ministers’ decision to expand the Alliance’s CUAS  capabilities.

Highlighting U.S. Leadership and Open Architecture Innovation

We were represented by Dave Boyd, Security and Mission Solutions sector CTO and CUAS SME, and Trina Lawrence, senior director of CUAS business development. Their participation at this event reflects our strong performance and ongoing innovation across multiple CUAS programs.

Dave Boyd served as a panelist for “Open Architecture and Standardization,” where he addressed NATO’s greatest technical challenge of achieving true interoperability and emphasized the critical role it plays in enabling effective collaboration across the defense systems of sovereign nations.

Drawing from our long history of supporting national and international technology standards, Boyd explained, “While many emerging standards define how data and communications protocols are structured, real interoperability also requires a shared understanding of the semantic meaning behind tasks, commands, and sensor behaviors.”

He highlighted NATO’s adoption of the UK-developed SAPIENT standard as a significant step toward enabling two-way communication between sensors and command-and-control (C2) systems. Boyd stated, “For standards to truly accelerate deployment and enhance mission readiness, they must be fully vendor agnostic, enabling nations to mix and match sensors, C2 systems, and effectors without relying on proprietary integration or vendor-specific code.” This open-architecture approach ensures that nations can rapidly deploy, replace, or upgrade components, an essential capability in dynamic battlefield environments.

Proven Performance

Parsons’ invitation to participate in NATO’s Industry Day was driven in part by recent standout achievements on high-visibility CUAS programs.

CUAS Operations – Southern U.S. Border

Our team of experts continues to deliver proven CUAS solutions, including the recent deployment of DroneArmor, Parsons’ military-grade C2 system, at the U.S. southern border. The Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL‑9) capability is providing operators with real‑time situational awareness, actionable intelligence, and precise mitigation capabilities against unauthorized or malicious drone activity, protecting personnel, communities, and critical infrastructure.

This work to enhance U.S. national security is one example of our ability to rapidly field and sustain advanced CUAS capabilities in operational environments and is becoming a model for broader federal CUAS missions.

Air Base Air Defense

We have played an active role in advancing NATO’s initiatives for air defense and counter-unmanned aircraft systems. Through our Air Base Air Defense (ABAD) contract with U.S. Air Forces in Europe, we recently delivered an advanced early warning capability for NATO’s eastern front, designed to detect and counter both UAS and other airborne threats. Leveraging our open architecture, standards-based approach, we have successfully integrated allied nation sensors into a unified common operating picture (COP) for the theater. Our state-of-the-art cross-domain solutions enable seamless data transfer from unclassified and NATO partner networks to the Air Operations Center (AOC), providing comprehensive, theater-wide situational awareness.

At our Ramstein Air Defense Integration Laboratory (RADSIL), we continue to push the envelope by integrating cutting-edge CUAS technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning–enabled autonomy and advanced target identification. Additionally, we are collaborating closely with USAFE to incorporate advanced, low collateral damage mitigation technologies, ensuring effective countermeasures against the rapidly evolving UAS threat.

OSIS (Overseas Systems Integration Support)

For more than 12 years, we have been instrumental in safeguarding personnel, assets, and U.S. interests at over 265+ diplomatic locations worldwide, including embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic facilities. Through the Overseas Security Installation Services (OSIS II) program, our team delivers a comprehensive suite of technical security solutions, seamlessly integrating advanced automated access control, CUAS, state-of-the-art biometric technologies, and operations support. Each solution is meticulously engineered and customized to meet the Department of State’s dynamic and evolving security requirements.

OSIS II exemplifies our capability to execute full-spectrum engineering, open-architecture integration, advanced analytics, on-site operational support, and long-term sustainment for technical security and CUAS systems across the globe. Managing more than 120 simultaneous projects, OSIS II is recognized as one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated diplomatic security and technical security upgrade and installation initiatives, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to protecting critical U.S. missions and adapting to emerging global threats. These combined achievements formed the foundation for Parsons to represent the U.S. industry on the international stage

Driving The Future Of NATO CUAS Cooperation

NATO’s CUAS Industry Day was the culmination of a weeklong series of Allied discussions focused on accelerating CUAS capabilities ahead of multiple major integration exercises planned for 2026.

A Growing Global Footprint

As drone threats grow in complexity and scale, NATO and Allied partners are increasingly turning to leaders capable of delivering open architecture, mission-proven, and rapidly deployable CUAS solutions.

Through our CUAS Center of Excellence and decades of work supporting federal clients and international partners, we continue to deliver the innovation, speed, and integration expertise needed to outpace evolving unmanned threats.

Learn more about our advanced CUAS solutions here.

The post Parsons Showcases CUAS Leadership At NATO Industry Day In Brussels appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The Indo-Pacific is one of the most important regions shaping global security today. It is a place where major powers operate, where threats evolve quickly, and where strong partnerships matter. In Episode 10 of Meet the Mission, host Candice Scarborough interviews Kenny Whitesell and Yun Yi to explore how we are strengthening our role in this dynamic region.

Driving Mission Impact Across Domains

We have a long history in Hawaii, beginning with critical infrastructure projects. That foundation now extends across defense, intelligence, cyber, and space missions. Today, we support airport modernization, rail development, smart highways, electronic warfare training, and space domain awareness.

These efforts help address the Indo-Pacific’s complex challenges, including vast distances, contested environments, and the need for rapid and informed decision-making. Our on-island presence strengthens collaboration with U.S. and allied forces. Additionally, our tools and platforms help connect data, systems, and partners across domains.

Episode Overview

• 0:00 – 4:31: Welcome, Introductions & Hawaii Context – Opening of the episode, introduction to the Indo Pacific mission focus, and early discussion about living and working in Hawaii.
• 4:32 – 10:23: Parsons Presence, Growth & Regional History – Kenny and Yun discuss their personal experiences, the company’s early work in Hawaii, and how our presence on Oahu has evolved over time.
• 10:24 – 15:03: Why The Indo Pacific Matters Strategically – Overview of regional significance, the pivot to the Pacific, geopolitical drivers, and the emerging focus on partnerships and sensing.
• 15:04 – 20:58: The Tyranny Of Distance & Regional Complexity
  Exploring logistics challenges, maritime complexity, contested environments, and why presence is essential for mission success.
• 20:59 – 29:13: Key Parsons Capabilities Across The Pacific – Discussion of C2 Core, electronic warfare training, space operations, infrastructure programs, and support during critical events like the Lahaina fires.
• 29:14 – 38:26: Leadership Insights, Joint Operations & Integration – How naval and joint experience informs region‑wide strategy, how we align to Indo Pacific priorities, and how we integrate with industry partners.
• 38:27 – 42:03: Partnerships, Interoperability & Regional Investment – Improving information sharing, working with allies, the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, and the importance of our new Honolulu headquarters.
• 42:04 – 47:51: Future Challenges & Opportunities Ahead – Looking at emerging threats, future mission requirements, one Parsons collaboration, and opportunities for growth across cyber, space, and EW.
• 47:52 – End (~51:30): Key Takeaways & Closing – Final messages from Kenny and Yun, themes of connection and commitment, and episode close.

Looking Ahead With One Parsons

“Our presence defines our commitment in Hawaii. We’re here, we’re credible, and we’re consequential. We’re not just a sidebar on the island.” Kenny Whitesell, VP, INDOPAC Strategy and Growth

As regional dynamics continue to evolve, we are preparing for the future through sustained investment in people, technology, and infrastructure in Hawaii. Our one Parsons approach brings together cyber, space, electronic warfare, and critical infrastructure expertise. This supports the full spectrum of mission needs across the Indo-Pacific.

Tune In and Join The Conversation

Check out the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts!

The post Forging Ahead In The Indo Pacific: Parsons Mission in Hawaii appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Estimated reading time: 23 minutes

Each year during National Engineers Week, we honor employees who exemplify technical excellence, innovation, and impact through our Engineering & Technical Excellence Awards.

These prestigious awards recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional skill, creativity, and dedication—advancing their disciplines and delivering better outcomes for our customers. The 2026 awards celebrate 28 engineers and technical professionals from across the company, along with emerging talent recognized through our Rising Star Award, reflecting the next generation of innovators.

Together, these honorees embody Parsons’ commitment to Imagine Next by transforming complex challenges into real-world solutions that help shape a smarter, safer, and more connected future.

Engineering Excellence

Technical Excellence

Rising Star

The post 2026 Engineering And Technical Excellence Award Winners appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

We recently hosted an RF spectrum emerging technologies technical exchange open house at our Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland based PALADIN Lab on January 28th, 2026.

The open-house-style event enabled extensive technical conversations that participants recognized as very relevant and valuable to their mission. Furthermore, this event was the latest in the Parsons Tech Demo Series that we host. The series helps accelerate the development and delivery of emerging technologies in support of the Army’s C5ISR mission.

What Is The PALADIN Lab?

Designed to foster new technologies and capabilities for the warfighter, PALADIN Lab, owned and operated by Parsons Corporation, is located on Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. From here, this innovation incubator connects industry, academia, and the Department of Defense. This connection enables us—and our customers—to leverage imaginative people and open, available technology. As a result, we can answer the DoD’s biggest challenges. 

The PALADIN Lab provides a low-risk venue where the government and industry can collaborate to prototype proofs of concepts, emerging hardware, algorithms, and software technologies with existing government architectures. Through this process, the government can rapidly determine which commercial capabilities are worth pursuing. The process also reveals which technologies don’t translate well to DoD requirements.

Featured Parsons Demos

• TReX®: Signal emulators for testing, training, MILDEC, & Decoy applications.
• Silver Palm: Multi-channel RF sensors for RF solutions and system conditioning.
• CTI (Merlin): Advanced visualization of the Battlespace (EW Modeling and Simulation).
• QRC® Demos: Industry-leading cellular, wireless, and Bluetooth network detection & characterization.
• CTI (Whisper): Covert, high-bandwidth RF comms (LPI/LPD)

Featured Partners

• DCI Solutions: Anomaly detection platform that counters data-centric threats.
• CIS Secure: Mobile tactical kits (Reduced RF signature and secure comms).
• Rajant: Bread Crumb Kinetic Mesh Radio Network (Automated PACE).
• Sciens: MORA & SOSA aligned tactical comms on VPX hardware.
• Xone Technology (Outrider ISR): RF deep sensing and operation at the tactical edge.
• Brown Deer Technology: RISCV-DSP processing cores for DSP applications
• VectorForge: Signal Processing AI/ML, linking RF activity to context.
• LCR Embedded Systems: RF signal exploitation and object identification (SOSA 3U VPX).
• AES2: Quick reaction NextGen C2 integration.

The post Parsons Hosts Emerging Spectrum And EW Technologies Open House At APG PALADIN Lab appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Innovation is at the heart of progress, shaping the way organizations respond to evolving challenges and deliver meaningful results. At Parsons, we believe innovation is not just about meeting current needs but anticipating future demands to transform mission outcomes. Our latest advancement, AresNXT, embodies this philosophy. It sets a new standard for mobile biometric technology and empowering agencies to thrive in today’s dynamic digital environment.

A Vision Born From Anticipating Customer Needs

Developed in 2024 through our Internal Research and Development (IRAD) initiative, AresNXT was created with a clear understanding of the evolving demands for secure, flexible, and scalable biometric solutions. Instead of simply reacting to market changes, we proactively identified what our customers would need. Often, we anticipated emerging requirements before they were recognized or established.

This forward-thinking approach guided every aspect of AresNXT’s development. As a result, we have a platform that streamlines the capture, processing, and transmission of identity data. This data includes fingerprints, facial images, iris scans, and unique identifiers such as scars and tattoos.

Cross-Platform Versatility And Rapid Responsiveness

AresNXT offers true cross-platform compatibility, integrating effortlessly with iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Our close relationships with customers have enabled us to respond quickly to their shifting preferences. Most notably, we saw the accelerating move to iOS. By investing early in iOS support, we anticipated this transition. This decision ensured organizations can rapidly deploy AresNXT to their teams on devices they already trust and use. Therefore, adoption is simplified and operational readiness accelerates.

Innovative Biometric Integration and Enhanced Security

Innovation is woven into every layer of AresNXT. Its AI-driven biometric capabilities, face, fingerprint, and iris recognition, are complemented by advanced voice and speech prompt features. With support for seven new biometric sensors, AresNXT expands the possibilities for secure identity management. Data protection is also paramount. The platform uses robust encryption protocols that meet or exceed stringent DoD, FBI, and Electronic Biometric Transmission Specification (EBTS) standards. Additionally, integration with our Ares Gateway ensures government-grade security for every transaction.

Customizable Workspaces for Mission Success

Every mission is unique, so AresNXT provides customizable workspaces and mission-specific profiles, tailored to operational requirements. The platform supports fully functional desktop environments such as Windows, Linux, or Mac. This allows for managing biometric enrollments, database submissions, matches, and more.

Expanding Horizons: Strategic iOS Leadership

The shift toward iOS among our clients was clear, so we acted swiftly. By investing in iOS compatibility ahead of the curve, we demonstrated both foresight and agility. This move strengthened our customer partnerships. This strategic move is already paying dividends, as more customers plan to transition to iOS next year. As a result, AresNXT is ready to support them every step of the way.

Our proactive approach has enabled the rapid deployment of pilot programs. This has fostered close collaboration with customers. It has also attracted interest from potential partners across state and federal law enforcement agencies as well as the military.

For example, a federal law enforcement client recently launched a pilot in Washington, D.C., issuing AresNXT licenses to field agents on iOS devices. The results speak for themselves with streamlined identity verification, improved accuracy and speed, reduced system complexity, and enhanced interoperability. This pilot is not just proof of concept; it’s proof of innovation that’s working today.

“Building on Parsons’ long-standing leadership in biometric solutions, our customer gains the agility to meet today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Bill Burns, program manager at Parsons. “We know AresNXT will set the benchmark for biometric modernization across government organizations, empowering agencies to strengthen national security, drive efficiency, and stay ahead of emerging threats.”

Looking Ahead

With the official product launch set for early 2026, the mobile biometrics sector is poised to advance into its next stage. As iOS adoption continues to increase, AresNXT remains at the forefront, providing insight into the future landscape of identity management

Our comprehensive suite of identity management services is at the forefront of modern authentication technology. We leverage multi-modal biometrics matching to provide highly secure and accurate identification of individuals. Learn more.

The post From Prevision To Pilot: AresNXT™ And The Future Of Biometrics appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Over the last couple weeks the cybersecurity community has been abuzz about the recently released report from Anthropic outlining their detection and disruption of an AI-orchestrated nation-state cyber campaign. It seemed, for at least 72 hours after the release of the report, you couldn’t peruse LinkedIn or your favorite cybersecurity news outlet without being bombarded with summaries, opinion pieces, or “deep dives.” The tone of these articles is ominous: “We’ve reached a point where cyber actors can simply release AI to do their bidding.” I’ll admit that, at face value, the premise is frightening. But as I spent time deliberately thinking about the implications and consuming the full report, I think we need to see this as a true moment of awakening, not of fear.

A Summary Of The Report By Anthropic

The report outlines that a Chinese nation-state actor, dubbed GTG-1002, leveraged Anthropic’s AI capability, Claude Code, to execute a six-phase attack across thirty targets spanning tech, financial, and government institutions. More importantly, they completed successful intrusions and exfiltration of data against a handful of the targets. I encourage all cybersecurity professionals (or any inquiring mind) to read the full report from Anthropic to truly understand how the attack was executed.

Rather than rehash the report here, I wanted to focus on four of my key takeaways, emphasizing the need for network owners and operators to be more proactive in their cyber defense posture.

Four Key Takeaways From The Report

1. Speed And Automation

Most of the thought pieces on this report that I’ve read focus heavily on the level of automation seen in this attack. They express concern about the scale at which these attacks can be achieved. But I offer this: many of the actions for exploitation were able to be automated before the introduction of AI. Cybersecurity researchers had non-AI tools at their disposal already. These tools enable them to define a target space and automate vulnerability scanning to exploitation without the need to write any code.

However, the approach outlined in the report—using agentic AI to rapidly map targets, evaluate and research vulnerabilities, and execute multi-stage exploitation—represents a significant increase in the speed at which these tasks can be completed.

2. Closing The Skill Gap

More frightening than the speed factor is the reduction in technical skill required to execute an attack at scale. Even with previous automation tools at their disposal, nation-state-level cyber actors required significant expertise and technical know-how to be successful in operational settings.

Anthropic’s report highlights that nation-state operators could simply be trained in a set of operating procedures to follow, rather than needing to understand the technical details of any exploit being performed. The operators simply needed to approve actions for the agentic AI to execute, e.g., “Would you like Claude to continue an attempt to gain access to the target?” These capabilities now act as force multipliers in two ways: increased speed of execution and an expanded pool of capable operators.

3. Detection And Mitigation

I’ve been on a soapbox for years that signature-based intrusion detection systems are insufficient in protecting your network. They have a finite detection aperture, only as good as the signatures that have been developed for them. To truly have comprehensive coverage, behavior- and heuristics-based solutions must be paired with your signature-based systems.

I believe there’s still significant work to be done in this arena. Capabilities that can build a continuously updated understanding of what is normal for your network are needed. They should track anomalous events, correlate multiple events together, and rapidly cross-check those events against known adversary Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures. These, like those categorized in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, need to become the norm for intrusion detection.

The volume of events to be analyzed will bury those analysts, and cyber actors will have achieved their desired outcomes before the “block” button can be pushed.

4. Vulnerability Prioritization

The Anthropic report did not appear to highlight the exploitation of any zero-day vulnerabilities. This, to me, is a key element here. The attacker’s approach was to identify known vulnerabilities through scanning and reconnaissance and then develop exploits against those identified vulnerabilities.

Lacking in the report is any detail on whether the developed exploits were truly novel or if they were based on pre-existing exploits. What’s safe to assume, though, is that based on how these LLMs are trained and work at a foundational level, they’re going to be much more capable of developing working exploits against vulnerabilities. Especially those that already have exploits found on the open internet.

It’s of utmost importance now to be deliberate in your vulnerability management and think bigger when it comes to vulnerability prioritization. Too often, we see companies simply patching those vulnerabilities that are listed as Critical within the National Vulnerability Database. Now, more than ever, it’s important to apply analytic tradecraft and include risk evaluation in your vulnerability prioritization. You must ensure that you emphasize patching vulnerabilities with known exploits. ExploitDB, Metasploit, and CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog are some easy sources to leverage for this information.

In Closing

Anthropic’s report is a stark reminder of the evolving threat landscape. AI-driven cyber campaigns are no longer a distant possibility—they are here. To stay ahead, organizations must embrace proactive defense strategies, automate detection and mitigation, and rethink vulnerability management. This is not a time for fear, but for action and adaptation.

The post Beyond Fear: Rethinking AI-Driven Cyber Threats appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Global events like the World Cup and Olympics transform cities into complex living systems. As city streets, airport gates, hotels, and venues must handle peak volume, city planners and government agencies face the challenges of managing massive crowds, ensuring security, and maintaining operational efficiency in a short time frame.

In these high-pressure situations, identity verification is more than a checkpoint. It becomes part of a city’s strategic operations to address the challenges of managing massive crowds. When identity verification is fast, reliable, and shareable across agencies, crowds move efficiently, risks are mitigated, and security teams are empowered to focus on critical decisions rather than manual processes.

The Role Of Biometrics In Modern Event Management

Biometric solutions use unique physical or behavioral characteristics such as fingerprints, facial features, or iris patterns to verify identities. Unlike traditional methods of identification, biometrics offer a higher level of accuracy and security, making them ideal for large-scale events. For example, the use of multi-modal systems, which combine several biometric methods, can quickly verify the identity of a ticket holder using facial recognition, while fingerprint or iris scans can secure access to restricted areas for staff and athletes. Additionally, mobile biometric solutions further empower security teams to confirm identities in the field, providing real-time proof of presence and accountability.

The benefits of biometrics extend beyond security. These systems can streamline operations, reduce wait times at entry points, and provide actionable insights into crowd behavior. For event organizers, this means not only a safer environment but also an improved experience for attendees.

Lessons From Federal Deployments

Parsons’ biometrics and identity management solutions have been tested and proven by federal agencies in some of the most demanding environments worldwide. For instance, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employs our biometric systems to support criminal investigations and counterterrorism efforts, enabling rapid identification of suspects and victims. Through its biometric repositories, the FBI provides near-instantaneous responses to law enforcement queries, allowing officers to quickly identify wanted individuals or suspected terrorists in real time.

Another notable example is our Unaccompanied Children Finder (UCF) model, which was designed for the identification, protection, and accountability of unaccompanied minors. It centers on a biometric repository that works seamlessly with the Department of Homeland Security Automated Biometric Identification System (DHS IDENT) and the Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology System (HART).

In another deployment, our scalable solutions enabled secure enrollment and identity validation for more than 100,000 travelers, customized to international standards and sustained six nights per week.

These federal applications highlight the scalability, reliability, and adaptability of biometrics. For large-scale events like the World Cup and Olympics, the same principles can be applied to ensure security and efficiency on a global stage.

Addressing the Unique Challenges of Large-Scale Events

Global events present a unique set of challenges due to their scale, international scope, and diversity of participants. Biometrics technology can address these challenges in several key areas:

1. Access Control: At stadium gates, athlete villages, and media centers, biometric systems ensure that only authorized individuals gain entry. Multi-modal verification reduces impersonation and credential sharing while maintaining the flow of people.
2. Crisis Management: In emergencies, real-time biometric verification allows security teams to quickly identify individuals and assess threats, enabling rapid and coordinated responses.
3. Mobile Operations: Mobile biometric solutions equipped with liveness detection and GPS capabilities provide proof of presence for roving teams, transport escorts, and perimeter patrols. This ensures accountability without adding operational complexity.
4. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups: Scheduled biometric check-ins, such as video liveness detection, create a documented audit trail for minors, volunteers, and contracted staff.
5. Data-Driven Insights: Biometric systems generate actionable data that can help organizers understand crowd behavior, optimize operations, and plan for future events.

Blueprint for City Planners

The transition from federal-grade biometric systems to city-scale deployments is straightforward. Many of the components used in federal applications, such as multi-modal biometrics, mobile proof-of-presence, and interoperable repositories, are already in production and can be adapted to meet the unique needs of large-scale events.

For example, credentialing for staff, contractors, athletes, and media can set the baseline for identity verification. Venue entry can be streamlined with rapid face and fingerprint checks, while exceptions are routed to secondary screening without disrupting flow. Mobile applications can validate the presence of roving teams, ensuring that operations remain accountable and efficient.

However, implementing biometrics at this scale requires careful planning and collaboration. Event organizers, government agencies, and technology providers must work together to ensure that systems are interoperable, secure, and respectful of privacy. By taking a thoughtful approach, stakeholders can leverage biometrics to not only address immediate challenges but also set a new standard for event management.

Why Biometrics Matter

Moreover, the benefits of biometrics extend beyond the event itself. By investing in these systems, cities can create a foundation for smarter, safer infrastructure that can be used for future events and day-to-day operations. This long-term perspective ensures that investments in biometrics deliver lasting value.

Opportunity and Responsibility

The World Cup and Olympics represent the pinnacle of global events, bringing together people from all corners of the world to celebrate sport and culture. But with this opportunity comes significant responsibility. By embracing biometrics technology, city planners and government agencies can ensure that these events are not only successful but also secure, efficient, and forward-looking

Our comprehensive suite of identity management services is at the forefront of modern authentication technology. We leverage multi-modal biometrics matching to provide highly secure and accurate identification of individuals. Learn more

The post Biometrics In Action: A Blueprint For World Cup And Olympic City Planning appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

As the world prepares for two of the most anticipated global events, the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, event security solutions take center stage.

A rising security challenge comes from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones. These small, agile devices can be used for unauthorized surveillance, event disruptions, or even carrying dangerous payloads.

Parsons is tackling this threat head-on with groundbreaking counter unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS) solutions designed to protect athletes, fans, and venues while ensuring the seamless execution of these iconic celebrations.

Game-Changing Security for Global Gatherings

Imagine stadiums packed with cheering fans, bustling city streets alive with excitement, and the world’s eyes focused on the action. From the sprawling soccer venues of the FIFA World Cup to the dynamic urban landscapes of Los Angeles, Parsons’ solutions are built to adapt to any environment. With cutting-edge CUAS tools like DroneArmor, these systems provide real-time insights and proactive threat mitigation, keeping the focus on the games and celebrations, not the risks.

Using its DroneArmor platform, Parsons integrates multiple sensors and effectors to create a unified operational picture. This allows security teams to detect, track, and mitigate potential drone threats in real time. Whether it’s safeguarding the packed stadiums of the World Cup or protecting critical infrastructure during the Olympics, Parsons’ solutions ensure security teams have the tools they need to act decisively.

Ready For Action: Pre-Event Testing And Integration

Preparation is everything when it comes to global events, and Parsons’ Summit Point Center of Excellence is where innovation comes to life. Just an hour from Washington, D.C., this premier facility is the ultimate testing ground, where CUAS technologies are put through rigorous pre-deployment testing to ensure flawless performance. From massive venues to crowded spaces, every system is fine-tuned to handle the unique challenges of dynamic environments, delivering the confidence needed to keep these iconic celebrations safe and secure.

Smart Security, Seamless Experience

Parsons’ CUAS solutions are designed with one goal in mind: simplicity that delivers results. With intuitive interfaces and smart automation, these systems empower operators to act quickly and effectively. The integration of AI-driven insights ensures threats are identified and neutralized in real time, all while keeping operations smooth and unobtrusive.

Flexible & Scalable

For example, at the FIFA World Cup, venues across multiple cities will require tailored configurations to address varying layouts and crowd densities. Similarly, the Los Angeles Olympics will demand solutions that integrate with urban infrastructure and transportation systems. Parsons’ vendor-agnostic approach ensures that the best technologies are selected and integrated for each scenario, providing scalable security that evolves with the event.

Setting the Standard For Event Security

The FIFA World Cup 2026 and Los Angeles Olympics 2028 aren’t just events—they’re global milestones. Parsons is redefining what it means to secure these moments, delivering solutions that are as dynamic and adaptable as the events themselves.

With Parsons’ cutting-edge CUAS solutions, commitment to innovation, and passion for excellence, fans, athletes, and organizers can focus on what matters most: celebrating the spirit of competition and unity on the world stage.

Because when the stakes are high, the solutions need to be higher. We solve the most complex event management challenges by providing innovative solutions. Learn more.

The post Revolutionizing Event Security: CUAS Innovations For FIFA World Cup 2026 And Los Angeles Olympics 2028 appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Partnership Success: A Groundbreaking Collaboration

The partnership between the U.S. Navy’s Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) Expeditionary Missions (PMS 408), which is a component of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and Parsons represents a defining commitment to protecting shipboard personnel through true teamwork. Together, we are designing and operationalizing the Biometrically Enhanced Access Control – Husbanding (BEACH) by aligning technical expertise, mission-driven insights, and dedicated resources from day one. We have demonstrated how a shared vision can accelerate Force Protection innovation without sacrificing quality or current operations.

Accelerated Execution In Months, Not Years

What traditionally takes multiple years in the world of contracting has been compressed into a matter of months – all while upholding Parsons’ hallmark excellence and adhering to the strict contract requirements of the federal government. Rapid workflow integration, agile decision-making, and collaboration through transparent communications have enabled the team to move from a simple conversation to a purposefully built solution, which will culminate in a fielded Program of Record (PoR) at a record pace. This proof point redefines expectations for future interagency projects and underscores the power of a collaborative framework.

Customized Biometric Innovation

At the heart of the BEACH effort is a customized, biometrically enabled solution that streamlines vetting, access control, and delivers real-time authentication of foreign contract personnel at foreign ports.  Engineered for rapid fielding, this end-to-end system is on track to achieve a PoR with full functionality, offering a scalable template for wider deployment across the Navy and NCIS.

Protecting The People Who Serve

Above all, this partnership reaffirms our shared dedication to the safety and well-being of service members at sea. By fusing Parsons’ technical leadership, specialized systems, and contract vehicles with the Navy and NCIS’s operational expertise, we’re not just meeting today’s Force Protection requirements – we’re establishing a new benchmark for interagency collaboration and security innovation.

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