GAO Warns Gaps in TWIC Program Could Leave U.S. Ports Exposed to Security Risks

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says weaknesses in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program—including inconsistent communication, incomplete oversight, and delays in deploying biometric card readers—could leave U.S. ports vulnerable to security risks despite the program’s central role in protecting maritime facilities. 

The TWIC program, administered jointly by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, provides biometric identification cards to workers requiring unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels. More than 2 million people held active TWIC credentials as of mid-2025.

In its report, Transportation Worker Identification Credential: Actions Needed to