Service for biometric data transfer to centralized Russian system launched and self-enrollment planned

Rostelecom’s cloud-based Unified Biometrics System (UBS) will soon be adopted by 50 Russian banks, NIA Nizhny Novgorod reports.

The UBS solution, which a Google translation of the NIA Nizhny Novgorod article refers to as the “standard information security solution (OTIB),” is now available for representatives of financial institutions to familiarize themselves with, and authorized partners have already begun planning to connect some institutions to the service, according to the report.

The OTIB data protection service runs out of Rostelecom’s secure data center is intended to enable small and medium-sized banks to securely onboard and verify customers with UBS biometrics such as voice and facial recognition. The service allows banks to avoid storing customers’ biometric information in their systems, and the software backing the service is developed to comply with FSB requirements.

“Today we launched a ready-made and approved solution that uses high-grade cryptographic tools. It will help to safely transfer personal data of citizens through public networks. Already more than 50 banks are ready to connect to our solution. It is especially important that organizations will be able to use this solution. The solution is not only for operations to open accounts or deposits, but also for the security of any other operations with personal data,” says Ivan Berov, director of digital identity at Rostelecom, per the Google translation of NIA Nizhny Novgorod.

In the future, OTIB will support all UBS services, and safe transfer and processing of personal data, such as for identification when purchasing SIM cards or travelling.

To make it easier for people to register their biometrics with the UBS, Russia’s government has introduced a bill to permit remote self-service enrollment, according to the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI).

Mobile phones, tablets and personal computers can now be used by citizens to add their personal data to the database. People registering their information will be asked to provide e-signatures to grant consent for the use of their personal information.

The government hopes the measure will make remote financial services available to an expanded number of individuals, and provide equal access to services as urgently needed during lockdown conditions.

Federal laws on information technology and data protection are being amended and developed to support the system and its future expansion.

Article Topics

banking  |  biometric data  |  biometric database  |  biometric enrollment  |  biometrics  |  cloud services  |  data protection  |  e-signature  |  Russia  |  Unified Biometrics System