Biometrics - Articles and news items
Latest issue / 10 August 2010 / Max Snijder, CEO, European Biometrics Forum and Nanne Onland, Chair of ACI Europe, Taskforce on Border Control
ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP)
BEST Network, the Biometrics European Stakeholders Network, is a European Commission ICT Policy Support Programme centred on a European Thematic Network on Trusted information infrastructures and biometric technologies. To facilitate the latest information exchange and expert opinion, BEST Network has brought together key stakeholders including the finest experts from across the EU to determine how biometrics can most appropriately be applied in the context of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. (more…)
Issue 4 2009, Past issues / 16 July 2009 / Jerome M. Pender, Deputy Assistant Director, Operations Branch for the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division
The aviation term “desired path” refers to setting a course and then following clear guidance to reach a specific objective. This simple term seemed fitting for an article about how the FBI’s work in biometrics could also bolster aviation security. Semantics aside, whether you carry a badge, pin a pair of wings to your uniform, or work in the multi-faceted world of aviation, we all share a desired path to protect the flying public when they are in our charge. However, reaching this goal requires each of us to follow a different course.
For the FBI, this course includes applying a variety of biometric technologies from our investigative tool kit. Our journey began with fingerprint identification, then DNA was added, and now other modalities are being explored within the context of privacy laws, policies, and procedures. To ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to the opportunities and challenges that biometrics represent, the FBI established the Biometric Center of Excellence (BCOE) in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The BCOE serves as the focal point for the FBI’s biometric efforts. (more…)
Issue 4 2008, Past issues / 1 August 2008 / Colleen Chamberlain, AAAE Staff Vice President, Transportation Security Policy
Biometrics are coming to U.S. airports. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are seriously considering how to implement biometric identifier systems as part of aviation worker credentialing and access control systems at U.S. airports. In addition, the U.S. House of Representatives just passed legislation requiring TSA to work with industry to study ways to speed deployment of such systems for use by aviation workers.
In response, a growing group of airports, along with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), are leading an industry effort known as the Biometric Airport Security Identification Consortium (BASIC) to work with TSA to determine how, and when, biometric-based systems can be deployed at airports. In particular, BASIC’s primary objective is to ensure that any requirements and standards for biometric systems at airports not only meet TSA’s security demands but also preserve local control and flexibility, build off existing processes and resources, and protect existing capital investments. (more…)
Issue 1 2007, Past issues / 6 February 2007 / H. Carr-Archer, Director, International Association for Biometrics (IAFB)
Great expectations burden the biometrics industry. It’s difficult to conceive of a future for air travel in which they are not relied upon for security and passenger processing, but the timescale has been hazy. All that may soon change. The UK’s largest biometric trial was recently carried out at Heathrow, testing a system for the processing of all travellers, not only frequent flyers; the future may be a step closer.
Biometric systems have been deployed in a significant number of airports in recent years. These systems have usually been aimed at speeding the processing time at airports for frequent fliers. Many have used iris systems renowned for their accuracy. A particular set of business requirements have driven these schemes. Amongst them has been the recognition that a frequent flyer will only be enrolled on to the system once and may then be checked on many future occasions. Consequently, the time taken to enrol is not a major business requirement. (more…)
Issue 2 2006, Past issues / 16 June 2006 / Joel F. Shaw, Convenor of the International Standards Organization (ISO) Working Group responsible for Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs)
The introduction of the new biometrically enabled Passport, or ePassport as it has become known, is well under way across the world. Joel F. Shaw explains why Face Biometric was selected as the global standard.
Current undertakings suggest that by the end of 2006 more than 50 countries will be issuing biometrically enabled passports, a new, more secure form of travel document. Other types of travel document such as visas and official documents of identity, which can be presented in lieu of a passport or visa to enter a country, are equally being enhanced through the addition of the globally standardised face biometric details. Frontier (border clearance) controls are now being updated to take advantage of these new forms of travel and identification documents, as well as the machine-assisted identity confirmation feature that they offer. (more…)
Issue 1 2006, Past issues / 17 March 2006 / Alan Medlock, Service Delivery Director, London City Airport
Biometrics has played an important role in efforts to strengthen airport security. Here Alan Medlock outlines how London City Airport has used Biometrics to implement a cost-effective, user-friendly and secure employee identification system.
Following 9/11, the aviation industry faced immediate challenges in identifying and addressing new security issues to make their airports more secure. In addition to increasing the numbers of security officers by nearly 50 per cent, London City Airport focused on how to strengthen security using technology, where appropriate. A system which uses each employee’s unique finger biometric to control access to restricted areas of the airport was chosen. (more…)
Issue 1 2005, Past issues / 16 March 2005 / Keith Rhodes, Chief Technologist, U.S. Government Accountability Office and Richard Hung Assistant Director, Centre for Technology and Engineering
Biometric technologies offer the future of security technology, but integrating cutting-edge technology alone may not automatically solve all your security problems. Here U.S. Government experts offer an approach that may help.
One of the primary functions of any security system is the control of people moving into or out of protected areas, such as airports, buildings, information systems, and nations. People are identified by three basic means: by something they know, something they have, or something they are. People and systems regularly use these means to identify people in everyday life. For example, members of a community routinely recognise one another by how they look or how their voices sound – by something they are. Automated teller machines (ATM) recognise customers from their presentation of a bank card – something they have – and their entering a personal identification number (PIN) – something they know. Using keys to enter a locked building is another example of using something you have. More secure systems may combine two or more of these approaches. (more…)
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