BSI launches new biometrics site

24 Mar 09

The website contains a wealth of information about developments in biometrics, including the latest publications, a presentation to explain how the standards fit together, and regular news.

The news section features the latest biometrics stories, including innovation, healthcare, banking and security.

The site aims to educate visitors about:

• How biometric systems work

• Why biometrics are used

• How biometrics are used

• Privacy issues and biometrics

• The latest draft standards in development for users to comment on.

The recently published BS ISO/IEC 19794 series of standards cover data structures to digitally record finger, face and iris images and fingerprint features, for use in identity management systems. Some of the standards are already used for the recording of biometric data on UK ePassports and they will find further application once UK ID cards are deployed.

BSI’s publications and international standards are useful for those concerned with government contracts and procurement or with the enhancement of IT security through the identification of personnel and/or physical access control.

The BSI says: “Standards are important because technical standards support interchangeability and interoperability. Such standards reduce the risk for the procurer, system integrator and the end user, because they simplify integration and enable vendor substitution, technology enhancement and development.

“Unlike the use of other forms of authentication, such as passwords or tokens, biometric recognition provides a strong link between an individual and a claimed identity.

“One area where biometrics can provide substantial help is in guarding against attempts to establish fraudulent multiple identities or prevent identity fraud.

“By searching through the stored references, individuals who appear to have previously enrolled using a different identity can be highlighted for further investigation. It is very difficult to perform this type of check without the use of biometrics.”

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