The International Biometrics and Identity Association (IBIA) has published a white paper urging the US Department of Homeland Security to work with the biometrics industry to develop biometric entry and exit at the country’s borders.
Entitled “Closing the Loop: Completing Biometric U.S. Entry-Exit”, the paper argues that biometric technology offers superior identification efficacy compared to the use of biographical data, and seeks to debunk outdated assumptions about the costs of the technology. The paper urges the DHS to engage in a formal partnership with the biometrics industry and to specifically outline its needs so that companies can develop the appropriate products and systems.
It’s a timely argument. Commenting in a statement, IBIA Managing Director Tovah LaDier asserted that countries around the world are increasingly adopting biometric entry-exit programs, noting, “The UK, France, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, the Gulf States, and more have implemented biometrics for exit screening in response to the current state of global conflict.” Meanwhile, the US Customs and Border Protection agency is intensively exploring biometric border screening both at airports and at a major land crossing.
With US authorities now looking at accurate border entry-exit monitoring as an important component of the fight against terrorism, the IBIA’s white paper could find a sympathetic audience at the DHS.
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March 15, 2016 – by Alex Perala
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