DoD's Collaborative Approach to Developing Biometrics Standards

DoD has a growing need to control access to its many assets both in times of war and in times of peace. Similarly, DoD organizations must always be ready to identify friend or foe. This requirement is heightened in the global war on terrorism, where the enemy has demonstrated its ability to use sophisticated methods to exploit flaws in current identity management systems. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, reinforced the need for technologies that can enhance homeland security, force protection, and counterterrorism measures. Biometric technologies may seem exotic, but their use is becoming increasingly common. In 2001, MIT Technology Review named biometrics as one of the top ten emerging technologies that will change the world. DoD recognizes the fast-paced developments in biometric technology, and the great need for interoperability in DoD systems. Accordingly, DoD, through its Biometrics Management Office BMO, has developed a collaborative approach for the development of DoD biometrics standards. This approach will enable DoD to guide biometrics standards development to ensure that the standards promote biometric technologys interoperability and support for the joint warfighter. Compared with other, more established types of information technology, the commercial biometrics industry is still relatively new and evolving. The biometric industry has achieved successes in the growth of its capabilities, but from DoDs perspective, industrys efforts have sometimes resulted in competing, redundant, or proprietary-based capabilities.