Biometrics – The future is closer than you think

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Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, security concerns sparked increased interest in using biometric technologies to identify individuals. SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) scientists are playing a leading role in developing and deploying biometric technologies and access control solutions for the Department of Defense, the New York City Police Department, the National Science Foundation, and others.

Biometrics uses an individual’s unique physical characteristics – such as a fingerprint, face, or iris – for personal identification. These biometric identifiers can be converted to digital form and embedded into "smart" credentials, decals, and ID cards. The key component is an integrated circuit chip that performs advanced cryptographic functions and stores biometric templates tied to the user’s unique biometric information.

For the NYPD, SAIC is helping issue smart ID badges to thousands of uniformed and civilian workers. The project includes implementation of an enhanced access control system using smart cards for police headquarters.

This smart card is designed to do many things, including controlling physical access, logical access, encryption, identification, and time and attendance. Once it is printed and loaded, it is expected that the card will be one of the most sophisticated identification cards in the country.

For another major initiative, SAIC is the lead integrator for the Navy’s Common Access Card (CAC) program and assists in the issuance planning for 1.2 million ID cards to authorized DoD personnel. The standardized DoD identification card is designed to control access to computer systems and entry to physical facilities.

The CAC and its associated public key infrastructure (PKI) credentials that permit e-mail encryption, secure authentication, and application of a digital signature have been designed to allow customers to streamline electronic processes and be in the forefront of information assurance.

For the National Science Foundation, SAIC conducted a physical security assessment and analysis that evaluated access control systems, badging, visitor control and related administrative systems, and examined the feasibility of an enhanced physical and logical access control system, including a new smart ID badge for employees.

• For a major U.S. Navy air station, SAIC designed, integrated, and implemented an automated smart security access control system for over 5,000 personnel, contractors, and visitors. The public-key-enabled system uses PKI certificates to provide role-based authentication and administration; creates and edits master security records on-line; and automatically generates required Navy clearance forms, reducing administrative burdens.

• For the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, SAIC is conducting security threat assessments. We are evaluating potential security risks and prioritizing options for improving employee credentialing, access control systems, and protection of air intake systems against biological and chemical attacks.

Investigating new biometric techniques

For an important homeland defense initiative, SAIC researchers are helping the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) develop automated biometric identification technologies to detect, recognize and identify humans at a distance.

SAIC has been investigating numerous approaches for discovering new biometric techniques for DARPA’s Human Identification at a Distance (HumanID) program. The goal: develop technologies to provide critical early warning support for force protection and homeland defense against terrorist, criminal, and other threats.

SAIC’s research has shown that new biometric methods are viable for human identification based on medically verified features of a person’s heartbeat and pulse. Analyses indicate that features can be extracted from standard medical sensors, such as electrocardiograms, that provide good identification of individuals across a range of mental and emotional states. These approaches can be fused with conventional biometrics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, for more accurate identification.
In addition, SAIC is helping DARPA identify and implement facial recognition algorithms from scientific documentation.

SAIC’s efforts on the HumanID program also will aid the development, integration, and deployment of additional biometric systems and advanced database management systems such as a face-recognition system and associated database currently being developed for another government customer.

www.saic.com/news/saicmag/2003/biometrics.html       


 

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