Collins Aerospace: Biometrics: Changing the way we travel… and it’s all for the better

The travel industry, like all others, has experienced dramatic changes resulting from the influx and adoption of new technologies. As has happened so many times before, today we are poised on the cusp of another massive change in the way we travel, thanks to another innovative solution:  biometrics. Biometric technology gives us the ability to accurately identify individuals and to empower them based on that positive ID.

To some, the word “biometrics” conjures fear and skepticism. Chief among the concerns are fears about privacy of personal information — if individuals allow their biometrics to be used for one purpose, that information could then be used for some other purpose without their consent. Others fear a “Big Brother” plot, where the government uses a large biometric database to track and control people.

These worries stem from a lack of understanding of biometric solutions, how they are used, and what kinds of controls are in place to manage the data they gather. Further, the value of biometrics — and how they can dramatically improve both aviation/airport operations as well as the travel experience for the passenger — is underappreciated.

Biometrics simply means to measure (“metrics”) the body (“bio”). Every individual has a unique set of measurements — whether it’s the distance between their irises, the width of the space between their eyebrows or the length from their hairline to their chin — that can be used for identification.

This idea is not new — it actually dates back to the 19th Century. A young records clerk with the Paris Police Department named Alphonse Bertillon determined that a system based on precise measurement of certain body parts — circumference of the head, length of the middle finger, size of the ears, etc., in addition to standardized photographs of the individual — would provide a way to identify people that relied on fixed, unchanging attributes or characteristics, regardless of whether they changed their appearance.

Fast forward to the Digital Age, where we have morphed from the physical measurement of body parts to the digital measurement of body parts, which is transforming industries that require accurate identification of individuals.

A game-changer for air travel

Chief among those industries is air travel. Airports and airlines must be able to accurately identify who’s traveling where, ensure the right passengers are on the right plane, verify passports and visas for international transfers, and match baggage to the right individuals. Essentially, every part of the commercial aviation infrastructure depends on the proper identification of people.

And it’s the human-to-human exchange of identification documents and personal interactions that add friction to the flow of people through airport and airline travel procedures. The back-ups and queues that form because of these interactions also detract from a positive passenger experience.

Removing friction from the process

Biometric ID technology removes that friction. It makes the identification process faster, easier and far more accurate. With one facial scan upon entering the airport, for instance, your face becomes your ID throughout your journey.

You can check your bags, move through security operations and enter the jetway—all with minimal stopping, showing documents and waiting for verification. Your face provides all of the information required.

The technology also enables passengers to make their way through their journey with less support. Fewer security personnel are needed to ask questions and check documents. Airline personnel are no longer required at key stations — such as baggage areas and airline gate entrances — and can be deployed elsewhere.

In a post-pandemic world, biometrics will also reduce a major concern associated with air travel: the fear of contracting disease by touching public surfaces or interacting with people who are ill. We already have “curb-to-curb” biometric solutions that enable a passenger to move from the point of origin to the destination airport without touching anything other than his or her own items. A face and a smart phone are all that’s required.

Biometric systems can also be equipped with health diagnostics that can help identify individuals who have a high temperature or other symptoms so they can be evaluated by medical personnel. In combination with virus testing, this system could mean moving closer to disease-free flights and enable the reopening of borders now under COVID-19 restrictions.

Biometric technologies make air travel safer in other ways, too. Think about how much more secure your smart phone or laptop or bank account is when your face or fingerprint is required to unlock it rather than a password. Now think about how much more secure air travel will be when that same technology is fully embedded into commercial flights. With the added accuracy of biometric identification, airlines will know exactly who is on each flight.

By reducing passenger concerns about illness and safety, we can increase the number of people willing to fly as well as the frequency of trips. Less fear leads to increased passenger volume.

All of these improvements amount to a vastly more efficient air travel ecosystem that can accommodate significant increases in capacity.

The Biometrics Boon Is Building

Biometric identification technologies have been in use in airports throughout the world for several years, primarily for immigration and border control. But momentum is building for wider application of the technology throughout commercial aviation as airlines, airports, passengers and other stakeholders begin to see the enormous value this technology can offer.

Biometric IDs will make quick work of matching facial images to ensure people are who they say they are—and give them the freedom of movement that comes with that identification. It’s a simple, efficient, low-risk solution that will bring countless improvements to the way we travel.

Without question, the biometrics boon is coming. And it will transform, refresh and enhance the travel landscape for decades to come.

Collins Aerospace                                                                                                             
airports@collins.com

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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Cognitec: Two decades of innovation for safer, swifter, self-service border checks

On a cherished day in 2002, shortly after the business launch in Dresden, Germany, our founders find themselves signing the company’s first major contract in far-away Australia to help develop the SmartGate program, the very first eGate implementation in the world. The system at Sydney International Airport becomes a forerunner for worldwide adoption of self-service border control at airports and other checkpoints.

We extend our connection to Australia by joining the Biometrics Institute in March 2003 as the third European member, and lend our voice to the early conversations about feasible use cases for biometric technologies, their advantages and risks, and their impact on society.

The first eGate applications and their error rates also raise many questions about the feasibility and necessity of such systems. But most countries push forward with establishing biometric passports and automating border procedures. And statistics are easy to collect and present, showing very soon that the use of biometrics positively curbs identity fraud, outperforms ID validation by agents, and speeds up the immigration process.

In 2013, we respond to the growing demand for automated border control by introducing a new product—this time also providing the hardware for live facial image acquisition of the traveler. The device features new concepts for lighting, user guidance and camera control.

Following a contract award by the German Border Police to a German technology consortium, our device and verification software is integrated in eGates at all major German airports. Soon travelers embrace the speedy procedure that allows them to “cross the border” in 14 seconds or less, all on their own.

We continually optimize the device to boost usability for travelers while it captures best-quality images that guarantee high verification accuracy. Ongoing development work also enhances the performance of the proprietary sensor that distinguishes between human faces and artifacts like printed images and masks, thus preventing presentation attacks.

In the meantime, biometric algorithms gain in accuracy, and we participate in the “face recognition revolution” with regular releases of new matching engines. Every new version contributes to raising the reliability of now more than 400 eGates with our device in Europe and Asia. Billions of verifications later, the analysis of false rejections or faulty authentications in eGates with our technology shows extremely low error rates.

The innovative journey resumes in 2021, prompted by countries adding biometric entry/exit schemes to their immigration routines. Various tenders are now asking for equipment to quickly take biometric photos at the border. We react to very special installation requirements on German border control booths, and develop a slim, lightweight device that can hang on the glass front of booths in any design.

The German Federal Police awards the contract in July 2021. The project initially spans four years and includes the delivery of more than 1700 devices, followed by installation and maintenance at all international border checkpoints in Germany. Other countries are in the process of also choosing our device to fulfil entry/exit requirements. With slightly different immigration setups in each country, product development needs to stay flexible and retrofit the device to work well for every scenario.

And the journey continues. Our teams are already drawing new designs for a device that combines image capture, presentation attack detection and verification procedures. Managing Director Alfredo Herrera: “Our profound technical expertise, combined with the experience in working on government projects in the past 20 years, fuel continuous innovations for border control processes. We hope they contribute to ever safer and easier travels!”

Cognitec Systems                                                                                                       
Elke Oberg
+49-351-862-9214
oberg@cognitec.com

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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FacePhi: Humanising technology: Biometrics as part of our daily lives

When was the last time we thought about how new technologies were integrated into our lives? In recent years, we have rapidly adopted devices and tools that have digitised much of our daily lives. Smartphones have become an essential instrument for relaying and accessing information about our environment in an immediate manner. On the other hand, the IoT has allowed, in addition to sensorising our homes and turning them into smart homes, to develop a wide range of application possibilities on a larger scale, for example, more and more cities allow us to access public transport and mobility services through simple applications and the reading of codes on our mobile devices.

Accepting a greater presence for technology in our environment has been a natural process, which in these advances has encountered a way to simplify daily tasks and improve our quality of life. For years, both experts and market developments have pointed to biometrics playing a leading role in the digitisation of our society, which is an important responsibility for development companies.  The creators of identity verification technology are driving its adoption with great success, but perhaps the same effort is not being put into spreading knowledge about biometrics. It is a technology so tied into people, and thus should be perceived as a practical, safe and non-invasive tool by society, and now the time has come to take that step and connect with people in their dual role as users and citizens. 

We have seen our identity verification solutions go from being a tool almost exclusively requested by banks and financial groups to entering various sectors and achieving a much broader positive social impact. During the health crisis due to Covid-19, digital onboarding and authentication technology reached the health sector, for example in the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul, helping patients to carry out procedures without using cards, paper documentation or in-person interactions. Months later, biometrics would allow the collection of pensions in Argentina by introducing a biometric recognition system for retirees to provide ‘proof of existence’ with a simple mobile application from the safety of their homes. This success story in the silver economy has recently been emulated in Nigeria, where biometric technology is helping the public to collect their benefits through 100% digital identification. 

These projects have had the common characteristics of showing that biometrics is more than a tool to improve the customer experience, highlighting its ability to be inclusive with all types of users -an aspect that our company considers essential. It is important that algorithms avoid discriminatory behaviour towards certain groups due to biases related to sex, race and age; all this complemented with the contribution of accessible, safe and useful digital environments in their day to day lives. Biometrics need to generate great confidence in the end user, who authorises the use of identity identification technology in a conscious way. This concept of ‘ethical biometrics’ is what allows us to bring technology closer to users and put to rest concerns about practices such as mass video surveillance or unwanted image capturing; This is the way in which we can make biometrics be accepted with the same naturalness as smartphones or voice assistants in our homes. 

The next few years will be decisive for the incorporation of digital identity verification systems into relations between citizens, companies and public administrations. For this reason, we must become more than technology developers: We must be disseminators, transferring to public opinion the advantages and opportunities that biometrics offer. The time is now, at a moment in which digital identity verification systems begin to be introduced as an alternative to documentation at airports, as a means of payment in shops and as a form of access to various public services. We are at a true turning point with respect to the normalisation of biometrics, as we have seen after our entry into projects for the travel and transport sector, or the development of smart cities such as the one that the Korean government will promote on the island of Jeju. 

Being able to show the positive impact of biometrics, avoiding misinformation and clearing up the doubts of citizens and public administrations is a part of technological development that we cannot ignore. Biometric technology is on the way to becoming part of the daily lives of millions of people, and this reality not only presents us with a great economic opportunity, but also with the challenge of humanising it. 

FacePhi                                                                                                                          
Javier Mira, CEO and Founder                                                                                                                    
Joined in 2018

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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Implementation Capacity Building Working Group (ICBWG), ICAO: Extending the benefits of ePassports

The establishment of the Biometrics Institute twenty years ago reflected a broader need to understand a world in which digital technology was playing an increasingly influential role in daily life. At about the same time in 2003, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted specifications for electronic machine-readable travel documents (eMRTD or ePassport) that are digitally enhanced documents that contain an embedded chip, which holds both biographic information and a photo. The ICAO guidance material and specifications found in Doc. 9303 laid the foundation on which an extensive system of infrastructure could build. Beginning with Belgium in 2004, successive governments began issuing ICAO-compliant ePassports. By 2013, over 100 countries issued ePassports and nearly 400 million were in circulation worldwide.[1] As of 2020, 145 countries issue ePassports and there are roughly 1 billion in circulation.

In the post-9/11 world, the ability to confirm the identity of incoming travelers has increased in importance. ICAO’s specifications allow states to encode the documents they issue with a biometric to serve this objective. The capability to add biometric information to a document, combined with the option to authenticate data stored in an ePassport via ICAO’s Public Key Directory[2] (PKD), positions travelers to biometrically substantiate their claim to an identity in a secure manner. Moreover, electronic ePassport verification has enabled border authorities to streamline border processing by employing Automated Border Controls (ABCs). ABCs are “self-service” passport control points for arriving or departing travellers. In most cases ABCs will read and authenticate the ePassport and compare the holder to the ePassport facial biometric to verify identity. ABCs can thus be an important tool to expedite traveller process and identity verification, along with enabling border officers to focus on higher-risk scenarios.

The benefits of ABCs and the digital biometric data included in the ePassport can only be effectively leveraged if ePassports can be successfully read and if receiving states are consistently authenticating these travel documents. Compliance with Doc 9303 specifications will ensure that ePassports can be successfully processed at borders; however, it is important that receiving border entities carry out the full ePassport authentication process outlined in Doc 9303. Lack of adherence to these technical specifications can negatively impact the security, facilitation, and ID management benefits of the ePassport. Similarly, compliance with ICAO travel document issuance standards and recommended practices will help to ensure that presented ePassports can be trusted by receiving states. At the crux of trust lay the evidence of identity (EOI) principles of document issuance (i.e., a claimed identity is genuine, the presenter is linked to the identity, etc.).[3] In other words, states have assurance that data on ePassports are input only after issuing authorities exercise robust due diligence. The ICAO Implementation and Capacity Building Working Group (ICBWG), in which the Biometric Institute has been a valued participant, supports states in developing this capacity and has published a number of guidance materials and supporting documents for issuers and verifying entities.

As a reliable source of both digital identity and biometric information, the ePassport (or its derivative forms) is likely to be used to support facilitation and economic recovery – including as a tool to support low-touch processes in the new COVID-19 context. The profound impact of COVID-19 on the travel and tourism sectors cannot be overstated. As a recent Airports Council International analysis highlights, the airport industry anticipated a -64.2% reduction in traveller volumes and a reduction of over 6 billion travellers in 2020 compared to 2019.[4] ICAO has played a critical role in supporting states recover from the unprecedented crises through the establishment of the Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART). Among its many principles is the need to accelerate the use of contactless processing of travellers to reduce potential transmission. While governments and air industry sought to leverage biometrics and contactless processes well before the pandemic, COVID-19 has accelerated this trend.

As industries worldwide grapple with how best to exit COVID, there has been a proliferation of apps and solutions that support digital identity, and other inputs to cross-border travel, like vaccination credentials and testing results. The ecosystem is indeed fragmented. However, in the same way ICAO has played a significant role throughout the pandemic, so too has it continued to advance work on the Digital Travel Credential (DTC)—in its simplest form, the DTC is a digital replica of the data on the ePassport. The DTC presents a new opportunity to process travellers before their arrival. With the DTC, border entities can carry out most of the border inspection process before a traveller’s arrival, leveraging the embedded digital biometric to bolster pre-arrival screening. Upon arrival, the traveller would be linked to their pre-screened digital biometric and enjoy an increasingly streamlined and touchless arrival process. Now, perhaps more than ever, the existing infrastructure that supports ICAO-compliant ePassports is fundamental, as a strong base in ePassport issuance and processing is required to support the use of the DTC, along with the expanded use of digital identity and, by extension, the recovery of travel. The ePassport offers as much potential now as it did almost two decades ago.

Extending the benefits of ePassports will serve a variety of purposes. For example, leveraging existing ePassport infrastructure will reconcile privacy concerns by protecting the identity of individuals through well-established and trusted cryptologic practices. Additionally, bringing awareness to the ability for the ePassports to act like a record from an issuer’s database, but in the hands of travellers, strengthens the notion and principles of individual digital sovereignty. The DTC, as a digital replica of the ePassport, contains the same electronic and security features as an ePassport and contains a biometric that adheres to passport issuing processes. This can be electronically verified for signs of tampering and authenticity.

Although many private-led initiatives comply with privacy by design (PbD) principles, the ePassport remains one of the most reliable documents in circulation worldwide. That ePassports are issued according to global standards on travel document issuance underscores their global interoperability and trust. Further, no other entity has the same access to the PKD/PKI like government authorities do, which further supports the use of a DTC, the PKI’s cryptography, and a decentralized validation structure in the future.

As we approach the twenty-year anniversary of the ePassport, how can we ensure that the benefits of ePassports are maximized? What other use cases may benefit from leveraging biometrics and the backend infrastructure that support ePassports? ICAO has expressed interest to provide non-state actors access to the PKD for limited commercial purposes on a trial basis. This is welcomed news for many, particularly in the air industry. Accordingly, the PKD Board recently solicited interest from private entities to determine whether leveraging the PKD for limited commercial purposes may have utility beyond aviation. In this way, the benefits of ePassports may well extend into the private sector in the future and apply to a variety of areas in which digital identities are required.

For further information on the ICBWG please email ICBWG@icao.int.

Implementation Capacity Building Working Group (ICBWG), ICAO

[1] Government of Canada, “History of the ePassport: Backgrounder,” (Ottawa: May, 2014) Accessed 25 August 2021.

[2] ICAO PKD Background: https://www.icao.int/Security/FAL/PKD/Pages/default.aspx

[3] ICAO, “TRIP Guide on Evidence of Identity,” Version 5.4 (May 2018).

[4] Airport Council International – World (ACI), “The Future of Travel and Digital Identity at Airports,” (Montreal: May 2021), 5.

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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IDEMIA: Smart borders – A technological and democratic achievement & Future-Proof Access: Flexible and Frictionless

How policy, process and technology were combined to achieve the European shared Biometric Matching System

The European shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS) was founded on a political agenda that was converted into legislation. This legislation was then translated into large biometric IT systems. This process created the foundation of trustworthy biometric technologies – a development that required expertise in order to be achieved.

The policy

To comprehend how the sBMS came to fruition, it is important to understand the history of the Schengen Area. It started on 14 June 1985, with five European countries signing the Schengen Agreement, a treaty that led these now 26 countries toward the eradication of their national borders, to build a Europe without frontiers.

The process

In 2013, the Smart Border regulation proposal was received from the European Commission (EC). The proposal focused on the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the Registered Traveler Program (RTP). The following year studies were carried out to ask the leaders in biometrics if such a system was feasible. The question being debated was: could technology efficiently manage a multi-biometric database that contained millions of records? Keeping in mind that the database had the crucial role of ensuring the utmost accuracy and security of the biometric data, while respecting a stringent response time at border crossing points.

After completing the study on the capacity of the back-end system, it was necessary to test the impact of this idea on the ground, at border crossing points. All Member States implemented pilots to test their technical capacity to efficiently capture traveler biometric data at land, air and sea border crossing points. ICAO recommended capturing three biometrics: face, fingerprints and iris. In order to push the testing capabilities, it was important to capture a combination of biometric configurations (four fingers, eight fingers, ten fingers and face and iris recognition) in varied situations and climates.

While the testing was happening, the world was witnessing many international security threats and incidents that made the Smart Borders initiative an urgent need for Europe. The borders of the Schengen Area needed to be protected and all third country nationals (TCN) needed to be thoroughly checked in order to ensure the security of local citizens and bona fide visitors. The EC issued a new regulation proposal integrating the outcome of the studies and the pilot tests. The proposal was to capture and store biometric data of four fingers of TCN and their faces in the EES database. The aim was to be absolutely proportional and time efficient at border crossing points. 

In quick succession over three years, the EES regulation, the ETIAS regulation and the Interoperability regulation respectively came into play, completing the technological environment needed to provide liberty, security and justice to the European Union.

The successful implementation of the sBMS necessitated the involvement of all European stakeholders: the Commission, the Council, the European Parliament and notably the LIBE Committee, the Member States, the various agencies involved and industry. Industry was greatly involved in carrying out studies and pilot programs.

Conclusion

Biometrics for Smart Borders was built in an open process involving industry, politicians and the general public. Each decision to implement biometrics should take the local context into consideration, be it national, regional or international, and adapt accordingly. By working together and by listening to the needs of all stakeholders, trust in biometrics will be achieved.

Future-proof access: Flexible and frictionless

Society is migrating to access control models that are more flexible yet remain secure, and the adoption of contactless access using biometrics has been expedited by the Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, biometric technology has emerged as a focus for both governments and private companies as it becomes part of everyday life for citizens worldwide. From smart phone access to border control screening, the goal is to find better ways to provide secure, trusted, and frictionless access points that enable daily activities while keeping people safe.

Experts in biometrics have made this possible with more advances coming every day.

Things that were once physical—key cards, car keys, IDs, credit cards—are being dematerialized into our smartphones. This digital shift introduces unprecedented convenience, seamless connectivity, and security whether by opening a door, verifying identity, or paying for goods and services.

Technology has made it so that what required a physical key and laminated ID 20 years ago, now takes a simple wave and a touchless sensor. These devices can deliver a reliable fingerprint match in mere seconds, boosting accuracy and security. Smart cards and multi-service cards now combine payment and civic use cases resulting in greater financial inclusion. Mobile ID solutions benefit both states and consumers, giving citizens control over identity authentication and creating a more secure and convenient way for agencies to provide refund payments or benefits digitally and remotely. Logical access control and IT security rely on biometrics, too; requiring fingerprints and multi-factor authentication to grant employees remote access to operating systems, and application-based logical access is used to control strategic points of user identities, protecting access to resources for single sign-on or to digitally sign sensitive documents.

Experts know that this progress and power requires stability. Thankfully, 5G technology deployment has begun, delivering the power needed and dramatically improving network connectivity with faster, more reliable connections that meet the demands of ultra-high-definition broadcast, smart devices, and vehicle-to-everything communications.

As the pressure on networks grows, the secure authentication of devices is even more critical. SIM cards protect user credentials by leveraging tamper-resistant hardware; and with properly configured 5G SIM cards, mobile network operators can seamlessly connect mobile devices and IoT connected objects ensuring subscribers gain immediate access to 5G services.

There is no doubt that biometric technology will continue to get even stronger. Privacy and security experts, governments, and industry are tasked with a critical mission to bring the future of identity to the citizen, but they must do so together—ensuring all parties realize the extreme responsibility that comes with it and to continue putting the safety and security of citizens worldwide at the forefront.

IDEMIA                                                                                                                           
Leana Hersch & Maggie McClain
maggie.mcclain@hkstrategies.com
IDEMIA were a Founding Member in Australia and Europe as Sagem Morpho

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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Laxton: Beyond tomorrow. How biometrics is leading the way for revolutionary changes in travel, security, and the economy

What is the measurement (metrics) of life (bio)? Is it the impact on one or many? Perhaps, it is both. Biometrics has made a direct global impact – and over the past 20 years, it has indeed changed the world as we know. Whether it was an unthinkable act like 9/11 or an unimaginable time like during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen biometrics evolve and improve our lives. In a world that has shifted from a handshake to a smile behind plexiglass, we’ve learned to adapt. Biometrics can continue to help us acclimatize so we can fearlessly continue redefining our norm.

Evolution of border security – biometrics is not the exception

Border management is a hot topic. With upcoming changes for Europe’s Entry-Exit-System, attention is being given to how passenger tracking is happening. Without biometrics, the evolution of border security would have stalled. The tools to secure borders have had a tremendous global impact.

The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems, eu-LISA, addresses changes in migration and relooks at how a person’s stay in a country is recorded to ensure databases are accurate.

Eu-LISA is set to play a crucial role in the technical implementation and development of interoperability of EU information systems, and will not result in the collection of more data, says the agency, but rather more intelligent ways of using existing data.[1]

Biometric technologies have evolved to become more user-friendly. Furthermore, on account of the improved accuracy of new systems, the potential for erroneous and potentially detrimental impacts on innocent users decreases. [2]

As biometrics cannot typically be lost or stolen, when combined with multi-biometric identification, it assists border management. Border control/security was ranked by the Biometric Institute[3] as in the top 5 top trends for the future of biometrics. This report also tells how face is the most expected modality in the next 5 years further supporting the importance of non-touch solutions

COVID-19 slowed the world and sped up changes in biometrics

Travel has changed. The ask for efficiency and safety has catapulted forward since the COVID-19 pandemic. For an unnerving period of time, travel came to a halt, but biometrics continued.

Recently, the focus of digitalization has shifted to security, data, and identity to further install trust. Before the pandemic, touchless biometrics were used, but demand has increased. Capturing biometrics can bring unwanted friction to a process. However, the prevalence of fingerprint and/or facial recognition used in personal smartphones has opened up acceptance to using an individual’s biometrics for other use cases. Changes in user needs require “smarter” solutions for travel. Biometrics as a service, interoperability, and seamless integration with existing (and evolving) technology becomes more relevant.

Travelers want options, and many businesses have adopted their software offerings using biometrics in mainstream applications to meet changing demands.

These features, exclusive to biometrics technology, provide greater security measures for intellectual assets as well as workplace and individual information in comparison to common user authentication including passwords, user IDs, single sign-on and other traditional access management methods. [4]

Growth for people = growth for a nation

For millions of individuals in developing nations, having a reliable digital identity has opened up access to services, and supported the growth of their economies. Well-designed digital ID not only enables civic and social empowerment, but also makes possible real and inclusive economic gains—a less well understood aspect of the technology.

Malawi needed a Digital Identity solution for its citizens. This project helped over 9 million Malawians obtain positive digital identities. The project was essential for the country and it was essential for the people of Malawi to access certain civil services, loans and grants. For the first time, when donors would give grants to specific individuals, they could now positively identify these people. When the system is reliable and consistent, the overall growth of an economy improves.

For example, digital ID could contribute to providing access to financial services for the 1.7 billion-plus individuals who are currently financially excluded, according to the World Bank, and could help save about 110 billion hours through streamlined e-government services, including social protection and direct benefit transfers. [5]

Biometrics used for digital identity brings forward opportunities. Malawi is an example of a developing nation positively impacted by biometrics. According to the McKinsey Global Institute by unlocking global economic value across our focus countries, digital ID could unlock the economic value equivalent of 3–13% of GDP in 2030.[6]

The implementation of biometric technologies by governments is happening. While there will always be challenges raised, we should also consider the good impact biometrics has. The more innovation, the more potential.

Where to from here?

What will we embark on in the next 20 years? Will biometrics continue to alter security, travel, and the global economy? Biometrics has earned a place in the safety, security, and growth of our world. Yet, we are still a long way from bringing this technology and its benefits to every person on earth.

Footnotes
[1] Biometric Update: EU eu-LISA industry roundtable to explore AI and biometric database interoperability, Aug 2021

[2] EU LISA REPORT: Biometrics in Large Scale IT, 2016

[3] Biometrics Institute Industry Survey 2020

[4] Cloud-based Identity and Authentication: BIOMETRICS-AS-A-SERVICE, Fujitsu-FrostSullivan, 2016

[5] McKinsey Global Institute: Digital identification: A key to inclusive growth, 2019

[6] McKinsey Global Institute: Digital identification: A key to inclusive growth, 2019

Laxton Ltd
Nick Perkins, President Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)
nickp@laxtongroup.com
+31 702 505 600

Joined in 2021

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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Ted Dunstone

Ted Dunstone: The past, the present and what’s next for biometrics and the Biometrics Institute – the Institute’s Chief Executive in conversation with its Founder

To celebrate the Institute’s 20-year anniversary, I caught up with Ted Dunstone, the founder of the Institute to have a chat about the early days, where we are now and what are the things we need to tackle going forward. Ted was sitting in his home office in Singapore while I was having a coffee in my office in London which in itself describes the Institute so well: a global community of people with a passion for the responsible use of biometrics.  

Isabelle: Ted, tell me about how it all started back in 2001 and why you founded the Institute.  

Ted: Isabelle, do you remember our first Member Meeting in Canberra in 2002? This was pre-GPS and we kept going round the roundabouts at Parliament House trying to find the exit to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We knew where we needed to be, but we had to work out how best to get there. This is similar to how the Institute started.  

Early on it was apparent there was something special about what we were creating. To this day, I haven’t come across an organisation quite like the Institute, having its users at its heart, but also embracing the important contribution from suppliers and other members of the community. We found a way to nurture all of those different aspirations and requirements. That’s a difficult act to get right and it is a credit to all the people that have been involved with the Institute. In addition to yourself, I’d particularly like to call out John Peacock, an association consultant, who really helped shape the early thinking about creating a user group, and Geoff Poulton who took over from me as the Institute Chair. 

The first real users of biometrics were government agencies, who were early adopters of large-scale biometrics. As I was already established in the industry, I had existing relationships to help bring together the right people early on.  

Isabelle: So why did so many government departments become members? What attracted them to the Institute? 

Ted:  They joined because they could see the power of community of practice, where they were not only the passengers going on a journey but the actual drivers. They could use the Institute to help further their goals rather than just receive a sales pitch.  

A core common goal was the mission of the Institute to promote the responsible use of biometrics. Getting the mission statement right at the start was a fundamental component of the success of the Institute. I had started the Institute as I could see how this technology could turn out to be misused, and that if you didn’t have a way to educate people about how it should be used, the whole industry would be imperilled and then the public would react badly. Most unfortunately, time has borne some of that out. 

Isabelle: And here we are 20 years on still facing that very challenge of creating public trust in biometrics. So, what do you see as some of the key advancements the Institute has supported through its very existence? 

Ted: I think we’ve had a lot of firsts in Australia where the Institute was founded. A lot of interesting biometric projects have gone on to deliver long lasting value within the passport system, e-gates, and government services. And most of these have been very successful projects that have not generated any negative publicity or problems.  

The Institute has enabled its members to have the knowledge and the understanding and to feel comfortable and more confident about adopting biometric technology, because it comes with new risks and challenges.  As a result, I believe the Institute has been a catalyst for allowing the industry to grow responsibly.  

From its beginnings the Institute has pushed the privacy agenda and emphasised why that has to be considered upfront. In 2006, for example, we released the very first Biometric Privacy Code.  

Another example is the vulnerability work that we’ve done. There was a recognition early on by the Institute, that this was an area that needed more development and more understanding by members. We brought together the international experts for the first time in 2010 and in the outcomes of those first meetings were the seeds of what we see today – in terms of standardisation, testing and awareness. People have asked whether these changes would have happened regardless. I think they would have eventually. But I think that the Institute – again – acted as a catalyst to make these things happen faster.  

There’s another aspect. When we started with the Institute in 2001, biometrics was still very niche. It was in some passports and some people had seen it in movies, but most people had no understanding that it wasn’t science fiction. Now, 20 years later, it’s everywhere: on our phones, used in government services and it would be fair to say that a good percentage of the world’s population has encountered biometrics in one form or another. The Institute has been there for much of that journey, in all sorts of ways, working with development agencies like the UN agencies and law enforcement as well as big corporates and social media. 

The work we did in 2018 with the United Nations Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED) and the Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) in delivering the Compendium for Recommended Practices for the Responsible Use and Sharing of Biometrics in Counter-terrorism was a major milestone for the Institute. We were advised that there is no other organisation that represents such a multi-stakeholder community from around the world and that we are best placed to be the penholder for the Compendium as we deliver diverse but balanced viewpoints on biometrics. Our independence is a critical part of who we are.

The Institute has provided the one place to meet where those new to biometrics could connect with a knowledgeable community and learn from others and seek information. It is important for those seeking information on biometrics to know they are not alone. There are so many amazing and passionate people that I have worked with at the Institute – starting with the various Board Directors and Committee Members – but also the membership overall who attended so many of our events.    

Isabelle: I agree, Ted, it is all about the people. I will never forget how we convinced Geoff Poulton from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia to be our first government Director and then Chairman from 2002, followed by John Secker from New Zealand Customs in 2005 who helped us take the Institute to New Zealand. In 2011 there was Paul Kirkbride from the Australian Federal Police who strongly supported the plan to set up an office in London in 2011 and now Andrew Rice, so far, our longest serving Director since 2016.

So, what do you think is next for the Institute and our community? 

Ted: Our community has matured. There are such experienced people involved. New people can learn from the other members. 

We have built these amazing foundations, and the Institute has accomplished so much in its 20 years. But in reality, I believe we are only just at the beginning of this journey with the significant transformations that biometrics and identity are bringing to the world.  

To date, biometrics has been a largely unregulated space but that is changing as it is becoming much more mainstream. New legal frameworks are being discussed, biometric commissioners are being setup, and the EU GDPR and other legislation that addresses biometrics is being introduced.  The value of a place like the Institute is to assist those who write the regulations to get them right, wherever they are in the world. It is important that all regulation everywhere is developed appropriately. The Institute can help these changes by providing the guidance and information to those regulators to ensure that biometrics will be used responsibly and ethically.  

There is a lot of work ahead. I am looking forward to the challenge. 

Isabelle: Thank you Ted, I have certainly enjoyed the past 19 years that I have worked with you and the Institute, and I am not yet ready to retire. 

Ted: It’s hard to believe its 19 years. When we first met, I think you were expecting someone older, and now I actually am! I honestly can’t imagine anyone better to be at the helm of the Institute for the last 19 years and to see it into its future. For all the fun times, and some hard ones, it’s also been a real pleasure working with you on this incredible journey.    

Ted Dunstone
Founder, Biometrics Institute
+61 419 990 968                                                                                                        
ted@biometix.com
Biometix were a Founding Member in Australia

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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IQSEC, S.A. de C.V.: Validación de identidad en la era digital – Biometry as a key factor to avoid identity theft

The digital transformation that has taken place in recent years has led different states and organizations to implement a strategy to recognize a secure and immutable digital identity in the digital environment.

In this sense, in the Digital Identity Guide of the International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published in March 2020, the digital identity system is mentioned as a reliable solution to: (i) verify the identity of people; (ii) facilitate customer verification; (iii) support due diligence; (iv) help transaction monitoring, and (v) manage risks.

This Digital Identity Guide also notes that digital identification systems may soon be available on a large scale, this as a consequence of the use of biometric technology, internet ubiquity, mobile phones, digital device identifiers, life testing, artificial intelligence.

The need for secure identity validation mechanisms in the digital environment arises from the increase in the crime of identity theft, without undermining the economic losses that this represents for organizations and citizens.

Having a digital identity, linked to biometric data such as fingerprint or facial, are solutions that have been successful in specific use cases. At the international level, biometric data is used to implement authentication mechanisms or biometric systems for airport boarding processes, without the need to continuously present passports and boarding passes, as in the Narita International Airport Corporation, in which passengers are registered in a biometric kiosk where the facial image of the passenger is captured and verified with their passport.

In this context, data from the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) indicated around 1.4 million complaints of identity theft received by the said Commission in 2020. In this sense, imagining that a reproduction of the face through deepfakes can supplant identity, or be victims of bank fraud due to not having a robust identity validation mechanism, begin to be part of the risks that society faces.

To avoid identity theft, various Mexican authorities have issued regulations regarding biometric identification, as is the case of the National Banking and Securities Commission of Mexico, that since 2017 strengthened the identity verification procedures and mechanisms applied by credit institutions, with the help of a fingerprint. Biometrics has also been an ally to reduce inequality gaps and guarantee access to services, as is the case with the Aadhaar application in India.

We must keep in mind that in any database, registry, register or procedure where biometric data is handled, it will always be essential to have measures that allow, with reasonable certainty to maintain integrity, confidentiality and availability of such information, that is to say, in order to minimize unauthorized access risks, information leaks or cyber attacks risks.

Likewise, the digital transformation and the new distancing needs caused by COVID-19, have led to the implementation of non-face-to-face authentication mechanisms, known as Digital Onboarding, which have represented improvements to processes and savings for the parties involved.

It should be noted that at the international level there are standards that allow avoiding the risk of identity theft through the treatment of biometric data, as is the case of the ISO / IEC 30107-3: 2017 Information technology – biometric presentation attack detection. This ISO is aimed at suppliers or testing laboratories seeking to carry out evaluations of Attack Presentation Testing mechanisms.

By using technological components that comply with the ISO / IEC 30107-3: 2017, las Technological solutions become reliable to avoid risks of identity theft attacks with artifacts (masks, high definition videos, 3D molds, 2D printing, 3D printing and more) or human characteristics (similar biometric characteristics, lifeless samples, alteration of biometric characteristics, among others).

It is also important to highlight facial validation with proof of life that allows determining if a biometric sample, in this case the face, is being taken from a person alive and present at the capture point, through the camera of a cell phone. Thus corroborating the identity of the users of a process and / or service, against reliable databases, with which you can be certain of the identity of a person.

As the biometric data is physical, physiological or personality traits attributable to a single person, they allow us to avoid impersonation by electronic means, as long as safe mechanisms are used, accredited with the best practices and international standards.

Whilst biometrics is a great ally to meet new identity validation needs, it is important to keep in mind that the use of biometric technology also represents important cybersecurity challenges, protection of personal data, encrypted database backup, confidentiality, availability and integrity, that as manufacturers, implementers and organizations we must not lose sight of.

IQSEC, S.A. de C.V.
Manuel Moreno, Security Sales Enablement Director
contacto@iqsec.com.mx

Joined in 2020

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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IrisGuard: The role of iris recognition in increasing financial inclusion and stretching funding further

Partnerships help deliver accountability, efficiency and preparedness  

The Covid-19 pandemic pushed an additional 97 million people into extreme poverty in 2020, there are 1.1b people with no ID and 1.7b people already unbanked.  Some of the challenges relating to delivering assistance include having a robust digital identity infrastructure to support the disbursement of assistance and services to large populations.

Distribution of cash aid is expected to increase by approximately 17% -20% per annum and proof-of-life is increasingly more in demand by donors who want to make sure that assistance is delivered to the right people.

This is where iris recognition technology adds value, providing a real-time verification of identities for the purpose of a faster, easier and targeted assistance or services to those who are entitled to it.

Implementation of that does pose a number of challenges including negotiating of service points, verified onboarding, data protection and security, resistance to disease and compatibility of different systems.

Private-public partnerships play a key role here because NGOs and Government agencies have the understanding of what’s required to fulfil the task on the ground, whilst the private sector is able to innovate and quickly deliver solutions which are fit for that specific purpose or one that can be applied across a variety of use cases.

When it comes to digital identity, the value is clear in a number of sectors including healthcare, where a correct identification of a patient is paramount for the provision of the correct treatment, stopping insurance fraud, managing audit trail for payments and health screening programmes. It is crucial to remember that when using iris as the human identifier, which removes the need for any other ID credentials, the individuals themselves are in control of their information as it is protected by their iris because it is unique to them.

If we apply that to social welfare support for example, accurate proof-of-life will stop identity fraud and double-dipping, ensuring that funding value can be distributed accurately including pensions and other G2C services.

In the payments sector, building a verified onboarding process and replacing private keys, cards and PIN numbers with a robust biometric programme will secure the last mile in financial transactions, providing an additional security layer, and streamlining efficiencies.

Examples of most recent use cases:

• Iris recognition technology provided a lifeline during Covid-19 in locations restricted during lockdown. We enabled door-to-door deliveries of cash within refugee camps in Iraq.
• We enabled mobile ATMs built into CAB vans, which were then able to dispense aid cash to the community in locations restricted due to the lockdown.
• Fixed locations such as supermarkets within refugee camps as well as post offices providing cash payments and verification services remaining operational, thanks to the contact-free nature of the technology.
• Integrated with WFP’s blockchain Building Blocks, we helped to authorise food deliveries to 2,500 refugees isolating due to Covid-19 with mobile devices held on socially, distancing sticks are helping refugees in Jordan pay for their groceries with a biometric iris scan, unaffected by face masks.

Iris recognition for KYC assurance

World remittance is not affordable for many vulnerable, displaced and poor populations and they are excluded from participating in the economy. Whether we are seeking a solution for an emergency or post emergency situation, there is a real need to rethink KYC criteria, with minimum information available to the unbanked people to open wallets and transact within the regulated financial eco-system.

This is directly linked to having a verified ID. By enabling digital inclusion, we will enable financial inclusion, increase international remittances and provision of salary assurance. Ultimately it would give the unbanked population an opportunity to build up a credit history, savings and pensions. They’ll be able to contribute to the local community they reside in.

Although, whether the project is large or small, whether it’s a one off or a long-term commitment or software, implementation includes hard costs such as licenses, hardware and servers. There is also the cost of on-going authentication, ensuring the integrity of KYC, handling complex beneficiary payment lists.

When we were founded in 2001, our technology was utilised at border security, and our systems at UAE airports across 3,273 days prevented over 650,000 offenders from entering. Now, we are very engaged in providing solutions to payments, blockchain and microfinance which help bring assistance to millions on a daily basis.

Empowering global financial inclusion and restoring dignity

There are 82.4 million displaced people globally and children make up an estimated 42% of that. The Clarkson University conducted a recent study on Biometrics, Behaviour, and Identity Science (Iris Recognition Performance in Children: A Longitudinal Study). This showed no evidence that irises age over time in children.

By providing a universal and portable UN identity to refugees and IDPs, beneficiaries are provided with mobility and freedom to move with a strong identity that is their eyes with no one depriving them of who they are.

Biometrics has enabled us to provide assistance to millions on a daily basis, who are now able to receive cash faster and contact-free from ATMs and mobile cash-out agents, buy their food in supermarkets and receive their regular pension payments using solely their eyes as a proof of life. This enables beneficiaries to receive their assistance with increased privacy, security and dignity. 

IrisGuard UK Ltd
Eva Mowbray, Director of Marketing
emowbray@irisguard.com

Joined in 2021

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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Vision-Box: How biometrics are improving security, convenience & privacy for travellers in the post-pandemic era

Travel industry on path to recovery 

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated a global collapse for the travel industry, made worse by a sharp downturn in the air transport sector and its supply chain. For much of the world, the extensive second wave of the coronavirus prevented a hoped-for revival.  

Yet there is room for cautious optimism. With the successful distribution and deployment of vaccines by the latter part of this year, travel rates may rise substantially in 2022. In fact, IATA projects a return to 2019 levels by 2024, with the travel industry as a whole regaining strength in the years to come. 

Big expectations from health, safety & privacy-conscious travellers 

Issues of health, safety, and cleanliness have been brought to the fore by the physical protocols needed to deal with COVID-19 and the transition to its aftermath. People across the globe have become used to the concepts of social distancing, personal protective equipment, and minimal contact with surfaces.  

This behaviour is extended to the travel industry. Travellers are increasingly demanding easy-to-use, seamless experiences which put their safety and data privacy at the centre. What’s more, they wish to be in control of the personal information that is shared with stakeholders along the traveller journey. 

Border agencies and ports and carriers alike need to adapt in this post-COVID world while giving full consideration to health, safety, privacy, and convenience. The key to do so, is through the simplification of processes and flows powered by automation and biometric technology. 

How seamless, touchless biometric solutions can meet this demand 

Simplification of traveller flows and enhanced experiences aren’t new concepts. The demand for them already existed pre-Covid. The key issue is, and was, that of moving people around from A to B, smoothly and safely. 

With the pandemic and the rise of the post-Covid traveller, airports, airlines, and border agencies have an increased desire and opportunity to overcome those challenges. 

We help our customers provide safe and seamless travel experiences powered by state-of-the-art biometrics combined with a highly scalable identity management platform product which is the core enabler of realizing truly seamless experiences. A collaborative platform of real-time intelligence which is designed to accommodate large volumes of information on travellers’ identity, people flow, connected devices and third-party systems, thus streamlining communication between all travel stakeholders.

Travellers are therefore winners as they benefit from better and safer user experiences and convenience while keeping control over their data privacy.

Furthermore, through touchless biometric technology, transmission of pathogens at airports can be mitigated. These solutions offer airports hygienic advantages through security, border control, and boarding. This is achieved by enrolling travel documents and facial images at airport check-in, or remotely using digital mobile ID apps. 

As an example, our mobile identification software development kit allows various stakeholders to easily access different types of biometric services through an API integration, all tied to the biometric and biographic information provided by the traveller. 

Our approach has equipped AirAsia with a Mobile ID SDK to capture high-quality facial recognition data, allowing them to verify users’ documents quickly and accurately through e-passport and border technology. Our collaboration with AirAsia enabled the delivery of F.A.C.E.S (Fast Airport Clearance Experience System) – a touchless identification and contactless clearance platform designed for mobile check-in to enhance the guest experience at the airport, improve customer brand loyalty, and be an integral part of AirAsia’s overall digital transformation. 

Border Control Agencies also benefit from our approach. For Europe’s first Smart Borders implementation at Helsinki Airport, we developed an avatar-based technology that interacts with the traveller and mimics their movements through an ABC eGate. With diversity and inclusion in mind, the customised avatar was a modified version of the Finnish Border Guard teddy bear emblem – which also contributes to a child-centred experience in one of the few countries that allows children to go through gates. There is no need for passengers to physically interact with human operators. Crucially, touchless biometric technology also helps border agencies process the growing number of international passengers, without expanding the physical footprint of immigration halls. 

Moving forward into the digital transformation 

For the travel ecosystem, the path to market recovery is characterised by an urgent need to focus on digital, seamless, and contactless traveller-centric innovation. The catalysts for that innovation to come about are multi-stakeholder collaboration, trusted identity data exchanges, interoperability, and privacy. We are uniquely positioned to enable all travel stakeholders on their path to recovery and well beyond with our expertise and solutions that guarantee effective communication and interaction and enable positive impacts on traveller flow optimisation. Travellers benefit from increased safety and privacy while using their biometric identity to simplify their lives. 

Vision-Box
Paulo Godinho
Head of Marketing & Communications
paulo.godinho@vision-box.com

Applications and use cases | Privacy and policy | Research and development | Technology innovation

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