Athena Security, a leader in AI-powered entryway security solutions, today announced the launch of the Athena Secondary Screening WDS™, a first-of-its-kind secondary screening solution utilizing advanced non-ionizing Imaging Radar technology designed to assist officers in screening bags, boots, footwear, and lower-body concealment areas in real time.
The new system was created to help organizations improve alarm resolution workflows after alerts occur at primary screening checkpoints, such as walkthrough weapons detection systems or AI-powered X-ray screening systems.
In a typical deployment, Athena Secondary Screening WDS™ operates as a dedicated downstream screening station positioned near the primary screening lane. When an alert occurs at a walkthrough Weapons Detection System, officers can direct the individual to the secondary screening area without interrupting the main entry flow. The workflow allows security teams to maintain throughput while conducting additional screening and automatically documenting outcomes for compliance reporting.
Built using the same core Imaging Radar technology architecture behind Athena Security’s Ambulance Bay Weapons Detection System (AB-WDS), Athena Secondary Screening WDS™ introduces a new operational approach to secondary screening focused on speed, visibility, and improved situational awareness for officers.
“How organizations handle secondary screening is becoming just as important as primary screening,” said Chris Ciabarra, CTO and Co-Founder of Athena Security. “Many security environments still rely heavily on manual searches, handheld wands, or pulling every item out of a bag. Athena Secondary Screening WDS™ was designed to give officers faster visibility into concealed areas while improving operational flow and reducing unnecessary invasive searches.”
The system uses advanced Imaging Radar sensors to generate live imaging data during secondary screening. During operation, a visitor may simply walk through the screening area or pause briefly between the system panels while officers review the live imaging feed. Security personnel can also rotate or spin a bag beside the unit to allow the system to capture additional viewing perspectives of dense or layered items.
Primary screening systems provide officers with threat localization and material composition context and Athena’s Secondary Screening WDS™ adds an additional layer of non-invasive inspection for bags, backpacks, footwear, lower-leg concealment areas, and carried belongings.
The system helps to reduce reliance on manual bag checks, unnecessary shoe removal, or invasive secondary searches while helping improve visitor experience and operational efficiency.
The real-time imaging data is instantly displayed on both:
- An Athena iPad control interface
- A large-format TV or monitor used for live secondary screening review
The system is designed to help officers identify:
- Concealed metallic objects
- Dense anomalies
- Hidden footwear items
- Lower-leg concealment concerns
- Suspicious bag contents
- Concealed objects requiring additional inspection
The live display workflow allows officers to quickly visualize areas of concern while maintaining awareness of the individual being screened and the surrounding environment.
The technology is designed specifically for environments requiring both strong security and efficient throughput, including:
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- K-12 schools and universities
- Stadiums and entertainment venues
- Corporate headquarters
- Board meetings and shareholder events
- Government facilities
- Critical infrastructure locations
The system is especially valuable for executive environments and healthcare facilities where organizations want to maintain a welcoming and professional atmosphere while improving security operations.
Secondary Screening WDS™ supports layered security workflows and can operate alongside both walkthrough screening systems and AI-assisted X-ray baggage scanners. The system uses non-ionizing Imaging Radar technology focused on persons and carried belongings, and is designed for repeated operational use in healthcare, education, and public venue environments.
The system seamlessly integrates into Athena Security’s broader entryway security ecosystem, including:
- Athena Apollo™ Walkthrough Weapons Detection
- Athena AI X-Ray Systems
- Athena Visitor Management System (VMS)
- Athena AI Agents
- Incident Reporting Platforms
- AthenaVision™ AR Alert Glasses
- Telepresence Officer Solutions
The new system can help organizations:
- Resolve secondary screening alarms faster
- Reduce manual bag inspections
- Improve operational throughput
- Reduce bottlenecks at entrances
- Improve officer situational awareness
- Enhance the visitor experience
- Support layered security operations
“Our vision is human-in-the-loop security enhanced by advanced sensing technologies and AI-assisted workflows,” added Ciabarra. “Athena Secondary Screening WDS™ gives officers another tool to make faster and more informed security decisions while maintaining operational efficiency.”
The platform includes built-in DHS-informed secondary screening workflow guidance that standardizes procedures and improves consistency across security operations.
Secondary Screening WDS™ will be showcased at healthcare, education, and physical security industry events throughout 2026.
Organizations interested in seeing how Athena’s layered entrance workflow operates across walkthrough screening, secondary screening, AI-assisted X-ray, and visitor management systems can request a live demonstration at Athena-Security.com.
About Athena Security
Athena Security is a technology company focused on AI-powered entryway security solutions for hospitals, schools, corporate campuses, and public venues. Founded by Revel Systems co-founders Lisa Falzone and Chris Ciabarra, the company provides integrated weapons detection, AI-powered X-ray screening, visitor management systems, Imaging Radar technologies, AI agents, telepresence security solutions, and incident reporting platforms designed to improve safety while maintaining operational efficiency and visitor experience. Athena Security continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible and leads the industry in developing advanced weapons detection and security technology. Athena Security is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and San Francisco, California, with a remote office in Jacksonville, Florida. To learn more, visit www.Athena-Security.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260602210699/en/
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