The rise of biometrics and identity management in the homeland security enterprise

This is a guest post from the Secure Identity and Biometrics Association (SIBA).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in the process of making significant financial, organizational and operational investments in biometrics and identity management. Much of this investment has occurred in the past year. In June 2015, DHS issued its Biometrics Strategic Framework, which indicated that the Department will refresh outdated biometric collections systems; centralize access to federal and international biometric databases; improve real-time access from field locations; and expand the use of multi-modal biometrics to identify threats.

In October 2015, DHS explained how, with oversight from its Joint Requirements Council, the Department would develop Strategic Policy Guidance to for the use of biometrics, and develop a roadmap to guide implementation across the enterprise. DHS also explained how the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT) would be replaced by the Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) in the summer of 2016, commenting that the “use of biometrics to enable operational missions continues to grow” across nine components of the Department, from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to the Secret Service.

Finally, DHS has the funding and intention to design a biometric exit system for the Nation’s ports, with implementation forecast for 2018. CBP has been busy testing a variety of biometric technologies and systems for deployment. This week, senior Department officials testified before Congress that DHS remains committed to “begin implementing biometric exit solutions, starting at the highest volume airports, in 2018.”

In order to survey and discuss these advances, the Secure Identity and Biometrics Association (SIBA) will host the Biometrics and Identity Innovations Forum in Washington, D.C. on June 29, 2016.

The Forum will feature experts and senior officials from CBP, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), DHS Office of Biometrics and Identity Management (OBIM), and the FBI’s Biometrics Center of Excellence. The speakers will discuss innovations in traveler identity management, the future of the biometric exit system and data-sharing to combat terrorism and crime.

Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

SIBA is a 501(c)(6) trade association consisting of companies and other stakeholders that share a common interest in furthering the adoption of secure identity and biometric technologies through forward-thinking thought leadership, and well developed government relations and communications.

DISCLAIMER: BiometricUpdate.com blogs are submitted content. The views expressed in this blog are that of the author, and don’t necessarily reflect the views of BiometricUpdate.com.

Article Topics

biometric database  |  biometrics  |  border security  |  homeland security  |  identity management  |  SIBA