Funding for vital biometric projects is covered as part of a budget authority of $40.6 billion for the Homeland Security Department in 2017.Specifically, $52.8 million has been allocated toward expanding a replacement biometric identification system for DHS, notes the DHS budget in brief.”This project will provide DHS the next generation of biometric capture and identification technology, including iris and facial recognition in addition to fingerprints. Implementation of the replacement system will provide DHS agencies with additional identity confirmation options, helping to overcome operational challenges in the field when individuals cannot provide sufficient fingerprints,” said the budget in brief.Other priorities highlighted in the DHS budget request related to the department's ongoing role in improving cybersecurity of the dot-gov domain as well as new responsibilities under the president's Cybersecurity National Action Plan.The FY2017 President's Budget also proposes to augments CBP's responsibilities by recommending the transfer of the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) from the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) to CBP.”This transfer will add responsibility for providing enterprise-level biometric identity services to DHS and its mission partners in order to advance informed decision making by producing accurate, timely, and high assurance biometric data and analysis.”The budget also provides a $3.1 million increase in FY 2017 for the Data Analytics initiative, which among other things is designed to address: “deficiencies in the management of biometric identities”.

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