HSF Research advises CISOs to take note of biometric innovations in wake of Leidos UK Home Office deal
The recent appointment of Leidos to lead a UK Home Office cybersecurity project shows the vital role biometrics will play in cybersecurity going forward, and should be well noted by all Chief Information Security Officers, according to HFS Research.
Under a recent deal to modernize the national biometrics system operated by Home Office, Leidos will help the agency consolidate its police and immigration biometrics programs under a single-service management structure to support the countries security departments, including law enforcement, immigration services, and border control.
The 33,000-employee strong Leidos also serves the U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force, and Army. It’s IDHaystack biometric service supports face, fingerprint, and iris scans, and has been widely implemented within the U.S. government, including by the FBI.
Previous HSF reports have discussed the growing adoption of biometrics by enterprises, and the technology’s inroads in smartphones and banking are seen as signs that acceptance is carrying over to policymakers and consumers. Border control has already emerged as a prominent use case, with Leidos joined by Accenture, which has deployed technology to Amsterdam Schiphol and London Heathrow Airports, among major system integrators.
Ultimately, the report concludes, biometrics are sure to play a major role in the future of security. Biometric data concerns are not an uncommon challenge for the industry, but a more significant challenge is integrating biometrics into existing systems.
“Major service providers’ experience breaking into the space will come into play and help facilitate easier transformations—all they need now is to build their capabilities, whether internally or via partnerships and acquisitions,” argues HSF Research Analyst Callum Moore.
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