Biometrics and Border Security

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Biometrics and Border Security

• By Anya Helfrich

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Introduction

• Since 9/11 security of borders is more important
• Border control must effectively and efficiently
  authenticate a travelers identity
• Currently Inspect travel documents and ask
  questions
• Biometric Solution Confirm identity by measuring
  and analyzing physiological or behavioral
  characteristics

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Overview

• Work Systems Snapshot
• Improving Border Security Processes
• How Biometric Technologies Work
• Leading and Emerging Biometric Technologies
• Current Use of Biometrics in Border Security
• Proposed Applications for Border Security
• Implementation Challenges

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Work Systems Framework
Customers U.S. citizens U.S. businesses U.S.
government agencies Foreign Nationals Foreign
Visitors
Products and Services . Enable entrance of
authorized persons into the country Prevent
inadmissible persons from entry into the Country.

Business Processes Issue intl travel documents
including passports and visas . Inspect
travelers entering the United States through
official ports of entry. Secure borders and
apprehend travelers entering through unofficial
ports of entry
Information Applicant Personal Info Applicant
Eligibility Info Applicant Passport
Status Applicant Past Application
Attempts Applicant Photo License Plate
Info Threat Watch-List Info
Participants Bureau of Consular Affairs 4,500
passport acceptance offices 210 embassies and
consulates State Department Field Offices Bureau
of Customs and Border Protection Internal Revenue
Service US Customs Service APHIS
Technologies Passports Visas State Department
Database License Plate Database Law Enforcement
Watch List Databases
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Improving Border Security Processes

• Biometrics improve two primary processes
• Issuing travel documents
• Inspecting travelers
• Current decision-making through
• Checking names against watch lists
• Match photograph to person
• Biometric Solution
• Automated identity verification
• Assists in decision-making

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Improving Border Security Processes

• Determining Identity
• Something they know, have, or are
• Currently
• Review travel documents (have)
• Ask questions (know)
• Biometric Option
• Link identity to traveler through physiological
  characteristics (are)
• Less easily lost, stolen, or guessed

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How Biometric Technology Works

• Measure and analyze human physiological and
  behavioral characteristics
• Pattern Recognition Systems
• Enrollment
• Verification or Identification

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Leading and Emerging Biometric Technologies

• Leading Technologies
• Facial Recognition
• Fingerprint Recognition
• Hand Geometry
• Iris Recognition
• Retina Recognition
• Signature Recognition
• Speaker Recognition

• Emerging Technologies
• Vein Scanning
• Facial Thermography
• DNA Matching
• Odor Sensing
• Blood Pulse Measurement
• Skin Pattern Recognition
• Nailbed Identification
• Gait Recognition
• Ear Shape Recognition

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Current Uses of Biometrics in Border Security

• INSPASS
• Border- Crossing Cards
• IDENT

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Proposed Applications for Border Security

• Business Process 1
• Issue travel documents.
• Applications
• Issue U.S. visas with one or more of the four
  appropriate biometrics
• Issue U.S. passports with one or more of the four
  appropriate biometrics

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Proposed Applications for Border Security
Business Process 2 Inspect travelers entering
through official ports of entry and identify
unauthorized travelers. Applications Make a
watch list check before issuing travel
documents Make a watch list check before
travelers enter the United States
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Implementation Challenges

• Performance of Biometric Technology
• False match rates
• Exception Processes
• Secure Infrastructure
• Entering Information into the Database
• Binding user to his/her biometric information

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Conclusion

• Successful implementation of biometrics depends
  on performance and operational processes carried
  out by humans.
• Biometrics can be integrated as one portion of
  the overall border security system.
• Biometrics can improve border security business
  processes.