IdTA members to guide SIA’s new identity and biometric technology advisory board

Some major companies in the biometrics and identity solutions industry are joining the U.S.’ Security Industry Association (SIA) and will be playing an active role in the functioning of its new identity and biometric technology advisory board.

The companies are coming from the Identity Technology Association (IdTA) and will become members of the SIA, the two associations announced in a statement.

According to the statement, the operations will be effective from January 1, 2021, when Clear, Leidos, and SAIC become full members of SIA while other current IdTA members such as Idemia and NEC will continue to be active members of the SIA.

As per the deal, the IdTA will end operations and help scout for more biometric and identity solutions companies to come aboard the SIA as new members.

Don Erickson, SIA chief executive officer said they were proud to welcome members of the IdTA into the SIA fold. He said it was a mark of confidence that underpins their desire to serve as a lever for companies to push through their works in the innovative identification technologies domain with government officials, media and channel partners.

“SIA has a successful record of providing education and advocacy to the identification sector over many years. However, through the involvement of these notable global businesses on the Identity and Biometric Technology Advisory Board, we are excited to increase SIA’s value proposition for participating companies,” said Erickson.

The IdTA executive committee expressed excitement and underlined their willingness to work in achieving the priorities set out by the new advisory board.

“We are convinced that the mission of SIA strongly aligns with the goals and objectives of IdTA. By becoming founding members of the SIA Identity and Biometric Technology Advisory Board, our members have access to greater capabilities of SIA. As the biometric industry continues to mature, the technology is driving innovation in sectors beyond the federal public sector. We see the need to expand our engagement into other private sector markets including critical infrastructure, commercial security and consumer electronics,” the committee said.

The SIA, in the statement, also cited some of the advocacy work it has carried out to promote the effective use of biometrics and other advanced identification technologies.

Some of the efforts, it said, include a testimony about the implementation of Personal Identity Verification (PIV) and other secure credentials, public opinion research into facial recognition technology, collaboration with agencies responsible for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program and promoting funding for key U. S.  government biometrics programs, homeland security grants and supporting policies.

The SIA also hopes the new identity and biometric advisory board, which is an extension of the association’s cybersecurity and data privacy advisory boards, will be at the forefront of many initiatives with relevant stakeholders, all geared toward growing the biometrics and identity solutions industry.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  CLEAR  |  IDEMIA  |  IdTA  |  Leidos  |  NEC  |  SAIC  |  Secure Identity Alliance