The
Biometric Citizen
Biometric Citizen
By Sujan
Parthasaradhi, Director of Biometric Applications, HID Global, APAC
Parthasaradhi, Director of Biometric Applications, HID Global, APAC
Biometrics
is becoming more familiar in the commercial marketplace, but it has a
relatively long history of use by governments worldwide — not only to lower
security risks and mitigate fraud, but also to improve the delivery of goods
and services to citizens. The focus on strong personal identification is the
best means of achieving these objectives. Whether the application is border
control or benefit disbursement, knowing the identity of whomever is gaining
access to a country, service or privilege is at the heart of any viable
government authentication solution, and biometrics is the key.
is becoming more familiar in the commercial marketplace, but it has a
relatively long history of use by governments worldwide — not only to lower
security risks and mitigate fraud, but also to improve the delivery of goods
and services to citizens. The focus on strong personal identification is the
best means of achieving these objectives. Whether the application is border
control or benefit disbursement, knowing the identity of whomever is gaining
access to a country, service or privilege is at the heart of any viable
government authentication solution, and biometrics is the key.
Biometric
National IDs
National IDs
Governments
have a vested interest in knowing who is being issued an
identity credential, such as a driver’s license or passport, and are increasingly
turning to biometrics for the answer. A biometrics
identity management system (BIMS), launched by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has helped to identify and update the
records of nearly 110,000 registered and unregistered refugees in Thailand’s
nine border camps within five months.
As a result, there is now a comprehensive statistical overview of the Myanmar
refugee population in Thailand.[1]
have a vested interest in knowing who is being issued an
identity credential, such as a driver’s license or passport, and are increasingly
turning to biometrics for the answer. A biometrics
identity management system (BIMS), launched by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has helped to identify and update the
records of nearly 110,000 registered and unregistered refugees in Thailand’s
nine border camps within five months.
As a result, there is now a comprehensive statistical overview of the Myanmar
refugee population in Thailand.[1]
The sheer
scale of public sector programs presents unique challenges for a chosen
authentication solution. For example, the national ID program in India (UID)
seeks to assign unique biometric credentials to over one billion people.
Citizen identity authentication solutions must be especially accurate and
secure because they are used by large and diverse populations. Additionally,
the credentials must be unique, difficult to copy, and yet easy to use to
facilitate convenient transactions while protecting citizens from identity
fraud.[2]
scale of public sector programs presents unique challenges for a chosen
authentication solution. For example, the national ID program in India (UID)
seeks to assign unique biometric credentials to over one billion people.
Citizen identity authentication solutions must be especially accurate and
secure because they are used by large and diverse populations. Additionally,
the credentials must be unique, difficult to copy, and yet easy to use to
facilitate convenient transactions while protecting citizens from identity
fraud.[2]
The scale of
government projects magnifies even a small error rate into significant numbers
which makes the reliability of the biometric technology a critical factor,
especially in unattended environments. As one of the largest urban refugee
hosts in Asia, Malaysia has been constantly fighting against identity
fraud and use of counterfeit documentation. To combat these problems,
UNHCR has issued new biometric ID cards with enhanced security features for
refugees in Malaysia, including retina, fingerprints and faces scans. The new
card allows law enforcement authorities to verify its authentication easily by
scanning the SQR code on a mobile app.[3]
government projects magnifies even a small error rate into significant numbers
which makes the reliability of the biometric technology a critical factor,
especially in unattended environments. As one of the largest urban refugee
hosts in Asia, Malaysia has been constantly fighting against identity
fraud and use of counterfeit documentation. To combat these problems,
UNHCR has issued new biometric ID cards with enhanced security features for
refugees in Malaysia, including retina, fingerprints and faces scans. The new
card allows law enforcement authorities to verify its authentication easily by
scanning the SQR code on a mobile app.[3]
Multispectral
imaging technology was specifically developed to overcome fingerprint capture
problems that have plagued conventional fingerprint sensors, such as replicated
fake identity cards. Based on the use of multiple spectrums of light and
advanced polarization techniques, the HID Global Lumidigm® technology reads
unique fingerprint characteristics from both the surface and subsurface of the
skin. The collection of subsurface data is important because the fingerprint
ridges seen on the surface of the finger have their foundation beneath the
surface of the skin, in the capillary beds and other sub-dermal structures.
Unlike surface fingerprint characteristics, which can be obscured during
imaging by moisture, dirt or wear, the “inner fingerprint” lies undisturbed and
unaltered beneath the surface.
imaging technology was specifically developed to overcome fingerprint capture
problems that have plagued conventional fingerprint sensors, such as replicated
fake identity cards. Based on the use of multiple spectrums of light and
advanced polarization techniques, the HID Global Lumidigm® technology reads
unique fingerprint characteristics from both the surface and subsurface of the
skin. The collection of subsurface data is important because the fingerprint
ridges seen on the surface of the finger have their foundation beneath the
surface of the skin, in the capillary beds and other sub-dermal structures.
Unlike surface fingerprint characteristics, which can be obscured during
imaging by moisture, dirt or wear, the “inner fingerprint” lies undisturbed and
unaltered beneath the surface.
When surface
fingerprint information is combined with subsurface fingerprint information and
reassembled in an intelligent and integrated manner, the results are more
consistent, inclusive and tamper-resistant.
fingerprint information is combined with subsurface fingerprint information and
reassembled in an intelligent and integrated manner, the results are more
consistent, inclusive and tamper-resistant.
Benefit
Disbursement with Biometric Verification
Disbursement with Biometric Verification
Governments
around the world provide direct benefits to citizens, such as education,
healthcare, pension schemes, employment, food rations and financial inclusion.
How can program administrators be certain that these goods and services are
reaching the intended recipients? What percentage of goods is being diverted to
enrich corrupt officials? Are pension benefits being paid out after the death
of the intended recipient? Administrators must be able to know who is receiving
the goods and services — and only biometrics can verify the identity of
recipients with certainty.
around the world provide direct benefits to citizens, such as education,
healthcare, pension schemes, employment, food rations and financial inclusion.
How can program administrators be certain that these goods and services are
reaching the intended recipients? What percentage of goods is being diverted to
enrich corrupt officials? Are pension benefits being paid out after the death
of the intended recipient? Administrators must be able to know who is receiving
the goods and services — and only biometrics can verify the identity of
recipients with certainty.
In India,
some of the largest social welfare programs suffered because of ineligible
beneficiaries receiving payments and corrupt officials taking a cut of or
delaying payments meant for the needy. Combining the country’s biometric
identification system, which currently covers 19 million villagers, with the
$5.5 billion National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, corruption and
inaccuracies are greatly reduced and the funds can then reach the intended
recipients sooner.[4]
some of the largest social welfare programs suffered because of ineligible
beneficiaries receiving payments and corrupt officials taking a cut of or
delaying payments meant for the needy. Combining the country’s biometric
identification system, which currently covers 19 million villagers, with the
$5.5 billion National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, corruption and
inaccuracies are greatly reduced and the funds can then reach the intended
recipients sooner.[4]
Managing
Borders with Biometrics
Borders with Biometrics
The case for
using biometrics at international borders is well-established. Some border
crossings are so busy, however, that it might seem that moving people through
quickly is a competing priority. Hong Kong Immigration solved that problem by
deploying multispectral fingerprint biometrics. The technology reliably
authenticates 250,000-400,000 visitors every day while alleviating long
processing delays and preventing spoof attacks. It’s an extraordinary
achievement that’s becoming commonplace in other sectors.
using biometrics at international borders is well-established. Some border
crossings are so busy, however, that it might seem that moving people through
quickly is a competing priority. Hong Kong Immigration solved that problem by
deploying multispectral fingerprint biometrics. The technology reliably
authenticates 250,000-400,000 visitors every day while alleviating long
processing delays and preventing spoof attacks. It’s an extraordinary
achievement that’s becoming commonplace in other sectors.
In Thailand,
police is implementing facial recognition at all border checkpoints. The
instalment will not only speed up the immigration screening process, but also
prevent transnational crimes.
police is implementing facial recognition at all border checkpoints. The
instalment will not only speed up the immigration screening process, but also
prevent transnational crimes.
The
operational conditions and heavy-duty cycles required by many e-border
applications demand a sensor that is robust, durable, and tamper-resistant. The
devices and software selected must be capable of successfully collecting a
usable image under a wide variety of environmental and human conditions.
operational conditions and heavy-duty cycles required by many e-border
applications demand a sensor that is robust, durable, and tamper-resistant. The
devices and software selected must be capable of successfully collecting a
usable image under a wide variety of environmental and human conditions.
Focusing on
Identity
Identity
Identity is
a perennial social and political issue. By binding rights and privileges to
specific individuals, biometrics enables a renewed focus on the protection of
identity, rights, privileges and privacy. We all have only one true identity,
and this identity must be protected in a sensible, balanced and efficient way.
With biometrics, governments can be assured who is claiming rights and
privileges.
a perennial social and political issue. By binding rights and privileges to
specific individuals, biometrics enables a renewed focus on the protection of
identity, rights, privileges and privacy. We all have only one true identity,
and this identity must be protected in a sensible, balanced and efficient way.
With biometrics, governments can be assured who is claiming rights and
privileges.
[1] Find Biometrics. UN’s Biometric Refugee ID Rollout Starts in Thailand. 2015.
[2] International Business Times. One Billion Indians to Have UID Numbers By Year-End As India Seeks To Boost Social Security. 2016.
[3] World Bulletin. UNHCR introduces new refugee ID cards in Malaysia. 2016.
[4] World Bank. Another Boost to Global Action against Corruption. 2016.
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