This document summarizes a presentation on the current state and future of biometrics. It discusses the main drivers of biometrics including national security, homeland security, eGovernment, and financial transactions. It also outlines some common inhibitors to biometrics such as technology advancement, standards, testing, data sharing, and privacy. The presentation anticipates benefits from biometrics including more interoperable and secure solutions that meet security needs while respecting privacy. It argues the federal government should help overcome obstacles, encourage evolution to meet needs, and maximize the effectiveness of federal biometrics research and development.

1. A Critical Look at the Biometrics Community Today
and Into the Future
Duane Blackburn
Office of Science & Technology Policy
dblackbu@ostp.eop.gov

2. Disclaimer
The views discussed in this
presentation are that of the author,
and does not represent USG Policy.

3. Primary Driving Forces
• National Security
• Homeland Security and Justice
• eGovernment and enterprise security
• Information/Financial transactions

4. National Security
• Identification of past, existing, or potential threats
("red-force")
• Qualification of non-U.S. non-threat persons
("grey-force")
• Approval of U.S. non-threat (trusted) personnel
("blue-force")

5. Homeland Security and Justice
• US-VISIT
• IAFIS
• DOS Face
• Citizenship and Immigration Service’s Business
Transformation
• Transportation Worker Identity Card
• First responder identification
• Mobile Integrated Biometric Identification System

6. eGovernment and Enterprise Security
• eGovernment interfaces can occur between
government and
– Other government agencies
– Employees
– Businesses
– Citizens
• Enterprise security
– Anywhere authentication is needed

7. Information/Financial Transactions
• Banking
– In-bank services
– ATM
– Internet
– Telephone
• Point of Sale

8. Common Inhibitors
• Technology Advancement
• Standards & Conformance
• Test & Evaluation
• Data Sharing & System Integration
• Privacy Planning
• Outreach

9. Anticipated Benefits
• Availability of interoperable solutions that meet today’s
homeland and national security needs
• Large-scale entrance of biometric technologies into the
broader financial market
• Accelerated improvements in biometric capabilities
• Enhanced understanding of biometric system capabilities
and limitations, and integration with accepted privacy
principles
• More secure and economically competitive nation
• Increased competitiveness for American businesses and
products

10. Federal Role
• Identify obstacles that are keeping the biometrics community from
meeting public and private needs
• Encourage the evolution of the biometrics community to meet those
needs
• Provide resources and guidance to overcome those obstacles that the
community is unable to provide on their own
• Maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the federal R&D enterprise
by
– Planning biometric activities across the federal government to meet
interagency needs
– Selecting activities through competitive, peer-reviewed, award and review
processes
– Ensuring activities meet scientific and privacy-rights standards
• Promote a scientifically literate population and a supply of qualified
technical personnel commensurate with national needs
• Strengthen international partnerships that foster the advancement of
biometric technologies.