Airline passengers traveling to the U.S. will face new security measures as part of a new system approved by President Obama, Department of Homeland Security officials announced Friday.

The new security measures will monitor "personal characteristics" like passengers' travel itineraries and nationality, as well as partial names and partial passport numbers. They will be stopped if these characteristics match pieces of intelligence as defined by U.S. officials. 

Airlines and foreign governments will receive the information from the Department of Homeland Security and then be responsible for locating suspects.

A senior administration official said the system would be "intelligence based" and not "profiling in the traditional sense."

"These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats," said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. 

According to a Department of Homeland Security statement, airports may begin to use tools like "explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams, or pat downs" in security checks. 

The new measures replace the system imposed by officials after the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest airlines flight to Detroit, where passengers traveling to the U.S. from 14 specific countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Cuba, were subject to extra security screenings.

According to a senior administration official, the new system will take effect Friday but will not be fully implemented for some time.