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The mission of the National Biometric
Security Project [NBSP] is to help government and private sector organizations
protect the civil infrastructure from terrorist attacks via the timely
deployment of biometric technologies for authentication and identification.
Formed with the support of Congress, business and academia after the attacks
of 9/11 highlighted the need for improved identification authentication,
NBSP received its initial Federal funding and began formal operations
in August 2003. It now supports government and private sector efforts
to evaluate, acquire and deploy biometric technology. Key NBSP initiatives
include: requirements and standards development; testing and evaluation;
applied research and engineering; training; and minimizing the societal
impact of deployment.
Requirements and Standards
The critical standards needed to drive interoperability, compatibility,
reliability, and performance of biometric technologies fall short of what's
needed by manufacturers, integrators, implementers and users. Recent NBSP
standards efforts include the completion of a study of biometric standards
that assesses what is current and useful and what still must be done to
ensure practical and effective use of the technologies for the long term.
NBSP actively participates as a member in all standards development bodies,
and promotes accelerated work effort in standards development whenever
possible.
Test and Evaluation
The NBSP Test, Research and Data Center (TRDC) objectively tests and evaluates
biometric products, and assesses their ability to meet industry standards,
qualify for infrastructure security applications and meet manufacturers'
performance claims. The TRDC was recently the site for the U.S. Visit
program's e-passport interoperability testing session.
Training, Education
& Data
NBSP is developing three biometric training courses. A course for senior
managers focuses on their role in the acquisition/deployment of biometrics
and includes modules on cost considerations, current applications and
a formalized acquisition process. A second course aimed at program managers
and operational personnel, offers more in-depth modules on the evaluation
of various biometric technologies, installation requirements, etc. A third
course is devoted to technical support and maintenance. The development
of a Biometric Technology Application Manual [BTAM] that will serve as
an authoritative user guide for the selection, application and deployment
of biometrics is well under way with Vol 1 scheduled for completion in
mid 2005.
Impact Studies and
Tools
Societal impacts have been addressed by the development of reports assessing
U.S. Federal and international laws regarding privacy and personal data
and applications to biometrics.
Web: http://www.nationalbiometric.org |
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