Embracing New Frontiers Through Secure and Robust Connectivity

Passenger Processing on the Move

You can think of air travel as a steady, choreographed performance, with people, systems, and operations following a familiar pattern: passengers queued at fixed check-in counters, agents working from desks, and dedicated systems quietly kept everything running. Today, that pattern is changing, moving from a static routine to a faster, more flexible performance – one where systems must adapt to everything from minor hiccups that slow processes to an unexpected rush of passengers.

Meeting these challenges head-on means addressing one key aspect: passengers expect systems not only to work but also to make processes simpler. They want practical, easy-to-use tools that let them check in wherever it’s most convenient: mobile kiosks, roaming terminals, pop-up desks in hotel lobbies, portable stations at cruise terminals, or VIP check-in areas at airports.

This shift is about more than adding new check-in points. It reflects a broader change in how passenger processing works. Mobile-enabled counters now act as digital passenger gateways, working alongside traditional desks. Connected through Wi-Fi or 4G/5G, they allow airlines to bring check-in closer to passengers, without relying on fixed infrastructure.

Many airlines already support this new model using existing systems. Legacy platforms, designed for fixed counters and centralized environments, can still function as operations expand. But as mobile touchpoints become more dynamic, adapting quickly to change becomes harder, and their limits become more visible.

Systems built for one location struggle to scale smoothly across many. Accessing real-time data everywhere becomes harder, and managing operations across multiple sites takes more effort. It’s a bit like trying to run a modern app on a decades-old cell phone. It might work, but it won’t always be smooth.

As check-in moves beyond the traditional counter, consistency becomes essential. Airlines need the same performance, security, and access to passenger data wherever they operate. Staff working at mobile locations must meet the same standards for speed, accuracy, and regulatory compliance as those at fixed desks.

This is where the next step becomes clear. To support a more flexible, connected way of working, airlines need a modern Departure Control System (DCS) designed for real-time, multi-location operations, helping the choreography stay smooth no matter where the performance takes place.

Security Service Edge: From Counter to Cloud

A DCS allows airline staff to check in passengers, verify documents through automated checks, and manage flights smoothly. In a more distributed environment, this system needs to travel with the operation.

A modern DCS gives staff instant access to passenger data wherever they are working. By simplifying processes and reducing the need for dedicated on-site equipment, airlines can operate more efficiently while delivering the same confident, precise service that passengers expect at a fixed counter, with a smoother, more responsive experience.

To support this model, SITA Connect Go SSE DCS (Security Service Edge for Departure Control Systems) brings secure connectivity and protection directly to the point of service. Designed for remote Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) used at airports and travel hubs, it connects staff to critical systems with built-in security and centralized, round-the-clock management delivered from the cloud – flexible enough to adapt quickly and keep check-in running smoothly.

As passenger processing expands beyond airports, the same approach can be used in cruise terminals, major rail stations, and other travel locations. Its software-only design makes deployment straightforward wherever it’s needed, while keeping passenger data protected. And as security requirements evolve, new protections can be added without disrupting operations.

Purpose-built for DCS applications, the solution delivers secure, reliable connectivity across all locations, without additional hardware. Its modular, ‘Lego-like’ integration works seamlessly in one solution with SITA fixed CUTE, CUTE on wheels, and Flex suitcases, and can be adapted over time to meet the needs of each operation.

Compliance Isn’t Optional

In the travel industry, protecting passenger and payment data isn’t optional. It’s essential. Strict privacy rules are in place, and meeting them helps airlines avoid fines, service disruption, and damage to trust. Security incidents also have real costs: IBM estimates that stolen or misused logins can cost a business an average US$4.4 million. 

With mobile check-ins expanding across more locations, airlines rely more on internet-based services and public networks. This increases the number of points that need to be protected as a wider ‘attack surface’ becomes a bigger opportunity for cyber threats. Mobile platforms can be targeted by phishing, credential theft, or attempts to intercept data, especially when critical systems like DCS are involved.

That’s why strong security and full compliance must be built into mobile check-in from the start. This becomes even more important when kiosks and workstations are used across different locations, where consistent protection and control are key.

Secure connectivity across locations

Airlines need a secure and simple way to connect check-in teams to the systems they use every day, wherever passengers are served. That connection must be fast, reliable, and easy to manage at scale.

SITA Connect Go SSE DCS meets this need with a fully managed connectivity solution that combines proven SD-WAN capabilities with built-in cyber protection. It provides a secure, high-performance link between DCS, web applications, and the passenger-facing workstations that staff rely on.

Built on Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) technology from Versa, a global leader in the field, the solution delivers cutting-edge security and performance across environments. It supports mobile counters directly, while SITA Connect Fly can be added to self-service kiosks and fixed check-in counters to complement SSE DCS and provide the same secure experience everywhere. Deployment is quick and simple, with the software ready to use within weeks.

For organizations managing multiple locations and technologies, bringing everything together matters. When systems, configurations, and policies vary from site to site, maintaining clear oversight becomes harder. Industry research shows that consolidation improves cyber resilience and lowers total cost of ownership. Gartner reports that 75% of enterprises are now reducing vendor sprawl to limit risk and simplify operations.

Unlike traditional security tools that focus mainly on blocking traffic, this approach provides deeper visibility and control across cloud applications and remote endpoints. This is increasingly important as an estimated 80% of enterprise traffic now flows outside traditional network boundaries

Built-in protections, such as secure access controls, traffic inspection, and malware protection, help keep passenger data safe without adding complexity. The solution works with any type of internet connection – including WiFi, 4G/5G, dedicated and broadband access – and automatically connects to the nearest gateway. This keeps check-in fast, responsive, and secure wherever passengers are served.

From Gate to Globe

In air travel, every moment and every connection plays a part in a smooth performance. Passengers expect speed, security, and simplicity, whether they are checking in at a hotel lobby, a train station, a shopping mall, or an airport. SITA Connect Go SSE DCS helps keep everything in sync, delivering all three.

By keeping systems connected, protected, and easy to manage, airlines can deliver a seamless, trusted experience throughout their journey – so the choreography stays smooth from first check-in to final boarding.