Government Specific Issues with Biometrics
- What actions are being taken to ensure stored biometrics data isn’t compromised?
- What government agencies are researching or working with biometrics?
- How accurate are the two fingerprint scans used in USVISIT?
- With regard to domestic and foreign travel, how are biometrics collected at various United States government facilities?
- Are biometrics obtained on everyone that enters or exits the United States?
- Who has access to the information in government biometric databases?
- Which modalities do the Department of “X” use, or plan to use, in the future?
- Will there be a government-wide standard biometric?
- Some fingerprint systems use 10 prints, other fingerprint systems use two; some fingerprint systems use rolled fingerprints and other fingerprint systems use flat fingerprints. Why?
What actions are being taken to ensure stored biometrics data isn’t compromised?
Biometric data is considered sensitive personal information collected by the government and is thus subject to the same laws, regulations, and standards.
What government agencies are researching or working with biometrics?
Many government agencies are working with biometrics. Specifically, the government is implementing the PIV (Personal Identity Verification) Program to issue identity cards with biometrics for all Federal employees and contractors. Federal agencies are also developing and implementing biometrics to meet other operational needs. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is working to coordinate high priority activities within these agencies.
Source: http://www.biometricscatalog.org/NSTCSubcommittee/default.asp
How accurate are the two fingerprint scans used in USVISIT?
Actual operational accuracy of the US-VISIT system is sensitive. Data on the basic performance of US-VISIT algorithms is available here. General information regarding the accuracy of commercial fingerprint systems can be found in FpVTE 2003.
With regard to domestic and foreign travel, how are biometrics collected at various United States government facilities?
For most foreign visitors to the United States, the DHS’s USVISIT program captures a photograph and two flat fingerprint images that are stored in its IDENT database. Currently, United States citizens are not required to supply biometric data when crossing the borders into or out of the United States.
Are biometrics obtained on everyone that enters or exits the United States?
Biometrics are collected from most foreign visitors entering the United States, but not from United States citizens.
Who has access to the information in government biometric databases?
Personal information access is limited to those individuals who have a “need to know,” according to law, to protect United States Government operations.
Which modalities do the Department of “X” use, or plan to use, in the future?
Most departments use a variety of biometric modalities selected based on the needs of the specific applications. These departments are continually re-accessing the uses to determine the method that is in the best interest for maximizing security and prosperity of the country.
Will there be a government-wide standard biometric?
Because no modality is suitable for all applications, there will not be a universal biometric for government use.
Some fingerprint systems use 10 prints, other fingerprint systems use two; some fingerprint systems use rolled fingerprints and other fingerprint systems use flat fingerprints.Why?
The various collection methods are used to meet a combination of operational needs, current capabilities, cost, and legacy systems. In general, the more quality data one has, the greater precision available; however, more data requires more storage, processing, etc.
