Publications

The National Biometrics Challenge 2011

During the last five years, evolving mission needs, coupled with advances in technology, have necessitated a new look at biometric priorities. This 2011 update to The National Biometrics Challenge examines the many advances made as government, academia, and the private sector have collaboratively responded to the priorities identified in 2006. It also delineates some of the challenges that, five years later, have yet to be fully addressed — and offers some new goals that might previously have seemed beyond reasonable hope of being attained but that today appear achievable in light of new technologies [Download]

NSTC Identity Management Task Force Report

The NSTC Subcommittee on Biometrics and Identity Management, Identity Management Task Force Report is an initial study that provides a common foundation and vision on which to base future research, discussions, studies, and, eventually, policymaking. The Task Force aimed to make this report as intellectually comprehensive as possible within available time and resources, seeking, above all, to recognize and treat IdM in its full dimensions, including its growing importance to the conduct of government. [Download]

Identity Management Task Force Report Executive Summary

[Download]

Biometrics in Government Post-9/11: Advancing Science, Enhancing Operations

This report, prepared by the NSTC Subcommittee on Biometrics and Identity Management, highlights key US Government initiatives in advancing the science of biometrics and its utilization in meeting pressing operational needs. While federal efforts in biometric technologies predate 9/11/2001 by several decades, this report primarily focuses on the breath and impact of the significantly enhanced attention and progress made since that date. [Download]

NSTC Policy for Enabling the Development, Adoption and Use of Biometric Standards

The goal of this Policy is to establish a framework to reach interagency consensus on biometric standards adoption for the Federal government. Federal agency adoption of these recommended standards, and associated conformity assessment programs, will enable necessary next generation Federal biometric systems, facilitate biometric system interoperability, and enhance the effectiveness of biometrics products and processes. [Download]

Privacy and Biometrics

The discrete fields of privacy and biometrics each have a rich history and an exciting, robust, present day status. Both disciplines are dynamic and multimodal. The current state of each is ever-changing and accelerating, and presents both promise and questions regarding its impact on individuals and societies. In an effort to complement and support the vibrant growth of both fields, the NSTC Subcommittee on Biometrics and Identity Management developed this paper to connect privacy and biometrics at a structural level so that both fields can be understood within a common framework. [Download]

The National Biometrics Challenge 2006

Government and industry have a common challenge in today’s global society to provide more robust identity management tools, and identity governance principles on how to deploy these tools intelligently, to meet national and international needs. Biometrics are the most definitive, real-time identity management tools currently available; however, use of the technology thus far has mainly consisted of systems designed to meet narrow objectives. To fully meet large-scale identity governance requirements, the use of biometrics technology must be made more robust, scalable and interoperable. Meeting these needs will require biometrics technology enhancements, adjustments of commercial business practices and system designs, and development of consensus on social, legal, privacy and policy considerations. Collaboration among the biometrics community—government, industry and academia—on these common challenges is essential. NSTC Subcommittee on Biometrics and Identity Management developed this report to describe the major challenges that must be addressed by the biometrics community. Working together to overcome these challenges, the community will meet evolving operational requirements while being supported by a robust biometrics industry. [Download]