DoD’s Upgraded ABIS Adds Voice Biometrics

The Department of Defense (DoD) has completed the migration of its Automated Biometrics Identification System (ABIS) to the cloud, having opted for a cautious, incremental approach over a “Big Bang” method.

ABIS is a vital system that enables soldiers to identify adversaries using biometric data like fingerprints, facial images, and other identifiers, crucial in operations that involve identifying, targeting, or detaining potential threats. Migrating such a system to the cloud was a massive undertaking, but engineers from the Product Manager (PdM) Biometrics team chose the incremental approach to reduce the risk of disrupting the system’s 24/7 worldwide operations.

As lead engineer Kimberly McCoid explained to the Army’s in-house publication, the cloud migration will “get the biometrics information back to the warfighter faster than the previous system.”

The incremental deployment involved nine phases of careful planning and execution. The approach enabled engineers to address potential issues without compromising the system’s operational tempo. According to Jerald Willis, Deputy Product Manager Biometrics, the cloud-based system not only speeds up the processing of biometrics data but also eliminates the need for physical servers, which previously required hardware refreshes every five years.

“We are able to vet and expand those capabilities because of the cloud,” Willis noted, emphasizing how the cloud solution removes the lead time required for hardware installations.

During the migration, engineers also expanded the system’s capabilities by adding a fifth biometric modality: voice. This allows soldiers to match a voice to a specific individual, helping determine if a person is a threat.

Despite the smooth overall transition, engineers encountered technical challenges, particularly with system interdependencies. Jimmie Culley, Product Lead for Biometrics Enabling Capabilities (BEC), mentioned that IP addresses in some systems were hard-coded, complicating the connection to the cloud. To resolve these and other issues, the team had to employ innovative solutions, such as learning how Windows Subsystem for Linux handled data. “Dependencies on other systems required us to make changes,” Culley said, calling it a process of “discovery learning.”

The upgrade of the DoD’s ABIS is related to the broader Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiative, as both aim to enhance data sharing, accessibility, and decision-making capabilities across military domains. JADC2 is the DoD’s multibillion-dollar effort to create a unified network connecting sensors, weapons, and personnel from all military branches (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Space Force) across all domains (land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace).

The goal of JADC2 is to enable faster, more informed decision-making by improving situational awareness and creating a common operating picture. While ABIS focuses specifically on biometric data, its cloud migration aligns with JADC2’s objectives of improved data integration, security, and accessibility, contributing to the overall vision of a more interconnected and responsive military infrastructure.

Source: U.S. Army

–

September 16, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team