Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Press Release
SOURCE: International Biometric Group and IDG World Expo

First BiometricsWorld Conference on Implementing Biometrics for Border Security Sells Out

Government agencies and solution providers gather for latest information and advice

New York, NY, and Framingham, MA—June 10, 2003—International Biometric Group (IBG), the leading biometric consulting firm, and IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows, conferences and events for technology markets, today announced that the first BiometricsWorld Executive Conference on biometrics and travel documentation was sold out last week as participants gathered to learn up-to-the-minute information and progress on the state of integrating biometrics into border protection in the U.S. and abroad. The BiometricsWorld Executive Conference, the first in a series of international BiometricsWorld events, took place June 3-4, 2003 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel. 

Nearly 200 professionals from the public and private sectors representing nine countries gathered to obtain critical updates and recommendations for implementing biometrics for travel documentation and border security. From the private sector, participating companies included AT&T; Boeing Company; Booz Allen Hamilton; Cogent Systems; GE; IBM; Identix; Iridian; Lockheed Martin; National Defense University; NEC; Northrop Grumman Info Tech; Printrak, A Motorola Company; Red Cloud LLC; SAGEM Morpho; Smiths Heimann Biometrics; Veridian; Wheelock Inc. and more.

Senior government officials and industry-leading vendors and consultants speaking at the conference included, among others:

• Raj Nanavati, Partner, International Biometric Group

• Russ Neuman, Senior Policy Analyst at the White House Office of Science and Technology 

• Jim Williams, Director of the U.S. VISIT program at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Robert Mocny, Deputy Director of the U.S. VISIT program at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Gary Strong, Director, Behavioral Research and Biometrics Science and Technology Directorate at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Rick Lazarick, Transportation Security Administration

• Richard McClevey, Department of State representative to the ICAO New Technologies Working Group

• Martin Giles, Assistant Director, UK Immigration Service

• Gayle Nix, CIO, Information Management and Technologies Branch, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

• Robert Davidson, Assistant Director, Facilitation Services, International Air Transport Association (IATA)

• James Jeffers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Anne Carblanc, Principal Administrator, Information Computer and Communications Policy Division, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

• Rich Carter, Director, Technology Standards and Programs, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)

• Kathy Malnick, Senior Engineer, West Virginia High Technology Consortium (WVHTC) Foundation

• Sergio Mesa, Assistant Chief Inspector, U.S. VISIT Office, Department of Homeland Security

Industry speakers included representatives from dataPrivacy Partners Ltd.; Identix; Iridian; LaserCard Systems; Printrak, A Motorola Company and Sharp.

Following an opening keynote from Mr. Nanavati on the state of the industry, Mr. Neuman provided the audience with a government perspective in a presentation entitled "The Evolving Federal Agenda for Biometric Research."

During their session on the U.S. VISIT (Visitor and Immigrant Status Indication Technology) program, Mr. Mocny and Mr. Williams reported that they anticipate the U.S. VISIT system will be implemented by year-end at all airports and seaports and will apply biometrics technology. The program had an original target completion date of October 2004, but has been accelerated as border security has become a priority.

In his presentation on "Applications of Biometrics in Aviation Security," Mr. Lazarick discussed biometrics in registered traveler applications, the National Transportation Worker ID Card (TWIC) and watchlist surveillance applications.

Mr. McClevey spoke on behalf of ICAO, answering questions about ICAO's May 27 announcement of the global blueprint for the integration of biometric identification information into passports and other Machine Readable Travel Documents.

"This is one of the single most important events in our industry," said Behnam Bavarian, Vice President of Engineering for Printrak, A Motorola Company, and one of the conference speakers.

"I was pleased with the breadth of the viewpoints in the different sessions," said David Plaisier, assistant design engineer at Veridian Corporation. "I would suspect each of us come as attendees with a specific niche interest and it has been covered. It's not just politics and it is well appreciated."

"IBG and IDG World Expo have brought together all of the players in biometrics," said Peter Hope-Tindall, privacy architect at dataPrivacy Partners Ltd. and a speaker at the conference. "The format of the conference was educational and intimate and provided excellent networking opportunities."

Mr. Giles' session, "U.K. Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Fingerprinting Program," examined lessons learned and the application of this knowledge to other large-scale biometric immigration projects.

In the event's closing keynote, Dr. Strong addressed "The Science of Biometrics for Travel Documentation." Dr. Strong is currently on detail from the National Science Foundation to the Department of Homeland Security to assist in establishing a new research organization in the Science and Technology Directorate.

On Thursday, June 12 at 1:00 p.m. EDT, IBG will lead a teleconference debriefing on the critical information presented at the BiometricsWorld Executive Conference on biometrics and travel documentation.

To access the teleconference via the Web:

• Using Windows Media: http://www.biometricgroup.com/windows_media.html

• Using Real Player: http://www.biometricgroup.com/real_player.html

To participate with the ability to ask questions dial: 888-896-0863 (from the U.S. and Canada) or 973-582-2703 (from outside the U.S. and Canada).

More information on the BiometricsWorld Global Series produced by IBG and IDG World Expo is available at www.biometricsworldseries.com.

About International Biometric Group

International Biometric Group is the leading biometric integration and consulting firm, addressing the identification and authentication needs of mid to large size organizations. IBG brings direct, hands-on expertise in all leading biometric technologies, including multiple-biometric systems. IBG works on behalf of both private and government clients to evaluate, design, and integrate biometric solutions for public sector programs, network security, Internet applications, point of sale applications, physical access, and smart card systems. Learn more at http://www.biometricgroup.com.

About IDG World Expo

IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) produces technology-focused tradeshows, conferences and events for professionals seeking world-class education, peer-to-peer networking and one-stop comparison shopping.  As the leading technology event management company, IDG World Expo leverages its experience and knowledge of technology-focused events and conferences, enabling technology companies to capture the attention and loyalty of influential buyers.  IDG World Expo's portfolio of conferences and events includes Macworld Conference & Expoâ, LinuxWorld Conference & Expoâ, Bio-ITWorld Conference & Expoä, COMNET Conference & Expoâ, Integrated Security Conference & Expoä, BiometricsWorld Global Series™ and Portable Power Conference & Expoä.  IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

About IDG

IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (www.idg.net), which comprises more than 330 targeted Web sites in 80 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related events worldwide, and IDG's research company, IDC, provides global market intelligence and advice through 51 offices in 43 countries. Company information is available at www.idg.com.

CONTACTS:

Trevor Prout
International Biometric Group
212-809-9491
www.biometricgroup.com
Contact@biometricgroup.com

Brooke Selby
IDG World Expo
508-424-4808
www.idgworldexpo.com
brooke_selby@idg.com