Monday, February 24, 2003
Press Release
SOURCE: International Biometric Group

International Biometric Group Delivers Report on Biometrics and Border Security to the
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

New York, NY—On January 13, 2003, International Biometric Group delivered its final report on the use of biometric technologies to secure America's borders to the Executive Office of the President of the United States, Office of Science and Technology Policy. 

Entitled "Use of Biometric Technologies in the United States Visa Issuance and Border Entry/Exit Systems," the 200-page report provides an analysis of the challenges associated with applying biometrics to the visa issuance process and preventing undesirable individuals from gaining entry. IBG performed field interviews and observed visa issuance operations at U.S. consulates in the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. In addition, IBG personnel examined INS inspection operations at several of America's busiest air, sea, and land ports of entry.

The USA PATRIOT and Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Acts together require the U.S. authorities use biometrics to detect attempts to fraudulently acquire multiple nonimmigrant visas, incorporate biometric identifiers in visas, and provide the ability to use biometrics to positively link a traveler with travel documentation. The legislation also modifies the Visa Waiver Program to require implementation of a process by which passports are secured by biometric technologies in compliance with ICAO standards.

The report addresses the implications of recent legislation and provides an evaluation of biometric technology options, design principles, pilot testing considerations, interoperability issues, field implementation challenges and system procurement issues. IBG employed its Large-Scale Project Evaluation methodology to evaluate the exit-entry system, which will help identify the more than 500 million visitors per year who cross the U.S. border through more than 400 ports of entry.

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 works on behalf of both private and government clients to evaluate, design, and integrate biometric solutions for Internet applications, public sector programs, network security, point of sale applications, physical access and time and attendance systems. Learn more at http://www.biometricgroup.com.

CONTACT: Trevor Prout, International Biometric Group, 212-809-9491, Contact@biometricgroup.com