State-of-the-art facial recognition technologies are now credited with the feat of total bias mitigation.
NIST, a leading industry standards test for face recognition software, released two research publications since the split of its Face Recognition Vendor Test program into two divisions – The Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) and Face Analysis Technology Evaluation (FATE).
The Face Analysis Technology Evaluation (FATE) track is being conducted to support assessment of “quality component algorithms” that implement quality checks of acceptable subject photos. Along with standards for face analysis software, subjects must also adhere to measures that helps algorithms to identify their physical characteristics clearly, such as ensuring a front-facing view, open eyes, a neutral expression, and a neutral background.
The track delivers clear checks on facial photographs that derive from ISO/IEC 19794-5:2011, a standard which established subject and photo-capturing requirements to enrol images into the European Entry-Exit-System.
Facilitating quality tests, both tracks are designed to inform “developers, end users, standards processes, and policy and decision makers” about the technical capabilities of biometric algorithms.
Various frontal and non-frontal images were evaluated in the Part 11 track to assess the software’s ability to detect pose estimation accuracy, while human inspection was used to identify some measures to blur images.
The purpose of the assessment in the FATE track was not to detect blurry images used in a variety of applications, such as applying for a new passport, but rather to assess the face analysis quality of software.
Joyce Yang, who co-published one study, wrote that the 20 tested algorithms had mixed results.
NIST.gov reported that the results will contribute to a developing standard — ISO/IEC 29794-5, which outlines the guidelines for quality algorithm checks to detect faults within images.
Seven algorithms from five developers were tested against 20 measures based on international passport standards.
The algorithms should be capable of detecting false images based on poor photo quality or deliberate alterations or disguises of the person’s physical identity.
A NIST Research Laboratory team also operated a rapid evaluation of 2D imagery, presentation attack instruments in algorithms to detect attacks in still and video imagery of human faces.
This assessment required 82 algorithms volunteered by 45 developers to determine non-attack images versus demonstrable presentation attacks. Nine measures used in presentation attacks were considered, including identity theft and trying to create a brand new legal identity, using masks or holding up a different face photograph.
Some algorithms worked well, but Ngan concluded that no algorithms could detect all types of presentation attack, while combining different algorithms did have an impact on boosted performance.
Read more:
Face Analysis Technology Evaluation (FATE) – Part 10: Performance of Passive, Software-Based Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) Algorithms
T5-AirSnap Finger – a patented innovative technology for contactless fingerprint capture developed by TECH5 – successfully passes iBeta ISO 30107-3 PAD Level 1 evaluation.
In PAD (Presentation Attack Detection) testing, TECH5’s fingerprint capture algorithm showcased outstanding performance with 0% APCER (Attack Presentation Classification Error Rate), ensuring no spoofs were misidentified as live fingerprints, and 0% BPCER (Bona Fide Presentation Classification Error Rate), guaranteeing no live fingers were incorrectly classified as spoofs.
Rahul Parthe, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CTO of TECH5, says: “We at TECH5 never stop innovating, and a perfect score demonstrated by T5-AirSnap Finger contactless biometric capture and liveness algorithms is one more proof of our technology’s excellence.”
iBeta is accredited by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) NVLAP as an Independent Test Lab and conducts the ISO Presentation Attack Detection testing in accordance with the ISO/IEC 30107-3 standard and in alignment with the ISO/IEC 30107-1 framework. TECH5’s T5-AirSnap Finger application was tested by iBeta to the ISO 30107-3 Biometric Presentation Attack Detection Standard and was found to be in compliance with PAD Level 1.
T5-AirSnap Finger allows for accurate capture of fingerprints within seconds using the camera of a smartphone, unlocking biometric capture and verification capabilities for any use case – from digital onboarding to any transaction that requires a high level of assurance using biometric verification. Inbuilt liveness detection technology, recently ranked first in the Liveness Detection (LivDet) 2023 Non-contact Fingerprint international competition, ensures that the presented fingers belong to a live person and prevents spoofing attacks.
“This unique combination of technologies makes T5-AirSnap Finger the most reliable contactless fingerprint capture offerings in the market, and we are delighted to make this ISO-compliant technology available to all our partners globally!” – Says Ameya Bhagwat, SVP of Global Business Development and Sales at TECH5.
The T5-AirSnap Finger technology reduces the need for purpose-built devices, as only the camera of a mobile phone is required for biometric acquisition and, due to ease of use, does not require any specific training.
Mr. Parthe commented: “We are continuously testing T5-AirSnap with different models of mobile phones and can confidently say that our technology is very robust and inclusive and works great not only with high-end expensive smartphones but also with a wide range of very affordable widely available phones that cost less than a hundred dollars”.
With passengers getting familiar with biometrics as the norm for secure travel, the requirement to carry a passport around at the world’s busiest airports is getting less and less. Although it is still good to have a back-up document.
Essential travel requirements have changed during the era of automated immigration clearance systems based on facial recognition.
Singaporean ministers have announced that 2024 will be the turn of Changi Airport to undergo a thorough refurbishment and installation of readily-available automated e-gates that can manage spikes in passenger travel.
And Singapore’s immigration laws are expected to align more with the pace of deployments from Monday, which will satisfy some ministers raising concerns over cybersecurity.
Biometrics along the end-to-end passenger journey will include all automated procedures from bag check-in to reading flight information in real-time.
Standing between e-gate lanes at Helsinki airport, Mika Hansson, Senior Advisor at the National Police Board, who’s had a key role to play in the DTC rollout, quips his journey to Montreal for ICAO TRIP is, predictably, made easier using the DTC.
He shared the photo of himself to LinkedIn and shared that he gave a presentation about the DTC pilot in Finland – which has encapsulated major strides in digitisation and modernisation within the travel industry.
Finland is a decisive player in the digital travel credential experimentation, currently the first country pilot testing the digital pass (digipass) at Helsinki-Vantaa airport until February. The first journey to digitally verify a passenger using the DTC took place on September, 1 2023 from Helsinki to London.
The DTC pilot project will enable passengers on Finnair flights travelling to London, Edinburgh and Manchester to pass seamlessly through border control without queuing by sliding a traditional passport in to the chip reader which extracts the DTC information to allow entry.
Mika Hansson said: “While I knew it was an interesting topic, it wasn’t until the symposium that I realised just how hot of a topic it is!”.
The passport will remain in use while another example of digitalisation is accelerated for travel. Certain EU borders will be receptive to the digipass led by Finland and in partnership with Croatia, where more DTC pilots are planned for the end of September.
To submit a valid DTC application, passengers must verify their identity in-person at either Helsinki-Vantaa or Tikkurila police station, joining up law enforcement and border controls to monitor migration.
The FIN DTC Pilot digital travel document app can be downloaded on iPhone or Android devices as pragmatic testing takes place in a real border control environment. The DTC experimentation is expected to be the first of its kind in the world.
Finnish Border Guarda will still be physically deployed to check personal data from applications 36−4 hours in advance of departure. The UK border remains controlled by local authorities and passport procedures, so the passport must be carried on any return journeys to Helsinki Airport and currently only Helsinki Airport has stepped across to deploying the DTC.
Face recognition kiosks at Helsinki Airport when you leave and return from the country compare your facial photo with the DTC required photograph. The DTC is only available to adult Finnish passengers.
TECH5, an innovator in biometrics and digital identity management, will demonstrate its latest technology offerings during the Identity Week America exhibition, held in Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Downtown Washington, D.C., USA, on October 3rd and 4th, 2023.
TECH5’s technology offerings include end-user applications for biometric capture, credential issuance and identification, a multimodal ABIS, and SDKs for both contactless face and fingerprint capture. At stand No. 218, TECH5 will showcase its innovations for contactless biometric capture and liveness detection using mobile devices, Digital ID issuance and verification, and its latest technology platform for law enforcement.
TECH5 USA, Inc. is headquartered in Troy, Michigan with locations in San Diego, California; the D.C. Beltway; Austin, Texas; and Canada. TECH5’s North American team includes industry veterans who have been involved in implementing and supporting a wide variety of use cases, including some of the first biometric solutions for law enforcement in the U.S., from Los Angeles County to the state of Arizona, as well as a number of other industry firsts with the U.S. federal government and governmental agencies in Canada and Mexico. The team’s collective innovation, depth of expertise, and breadth of experience have resulted in numerous awards and over 27 patents related to biometric technology.
TECH5’s target markets include Government and Private sectors with products powering Civil ID, Digital ID, Public Safety, and Law Enforcement and Authentication solutions that deliver identity assurance for various use cases. “In the U.S., we are focusing mostly on public safety, equipping law enforcement agencies across the country with some of the fastest technologies and platforms for multi-biometric matching, as well as software tools for quick and effective investigation.” – Rahul Parthe, Co-founder, Chairman and CTO at TECH5.
All technologies presented during the conference are available for TECH5’s certified partners and customers globally.
Identity Week America 2023 is set to return on October 3rd and 4th, promising an unparalleled opportunity to explore the cutting-edge advancements in identity management.
Hosted at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in DC, this dynamic platform will bring together 3,000+ global leaders, innovators, and professionals from various industries to discuss, collaborate, and shape the future of identity.
As the premier event of its kind, Identity Week America has garnered a reputation for fostering innovation, driving discussions, and offering valuable insights into the world of identity technology, security, and compliance.
Key highlights of Identity Week America 2023:
250+ Industry-Leading Speakers: Identity Week America has assembled an impressive roster of industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators who will share their knowledge and insights through keynote presentations and panel discussions.
They include: United Nations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, The White House, U.S. Payments Forum, OBIM, FBI, U.S. Secret Service, World Economic Forum, Air Canada, IATA, Netflix, Uber, R.B.C. Royal Bank, NIST, CBS Health, Delta, NEC, BNY Mellon, Unicef, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and many more!
In-Depth Discussions: Identity Week America 2023 will delve into critical issues such as digital identity, privacy, security, and compliance. Thought-provoking discussions will help attendees navigate the evolving landscape of identity management and provide practical insights and solutions they can implement in their organisations.
Busy Exhibition: The event’s expansive exhibition hall will showcase cutting-edge solutions, products, and services from leading companies in the identity industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest innovations in biometrics, cybersecurity, authentication, AI and more.
Interactive Roundtables: Identity Week America will feature interactive roundtables and hands-on sessions, allowing participants to deepen their understanding of identity-related agendas and current uses of technologies.
Networking Opportunities: Attendees will have ample opportunities to network with peers, professionals, and exhibitors. These connections can lead to valuable collaborations and partnerships, making Identity Week America a must-attend event for anyone in the industry.
Emerging Technologies: Explore the latest breakthroughs in emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and biometrics. Discover how these innovations are changing the way we approach security and authentication.
Regulatory Insights: With the ever-evolving landscape of data protection and privacy regulations, Identity Week America will offer valuable discussions on compliance and how organisations can navigate the complex regulatory environment effectively.
Startup City: Discover 100+ promising startups and innovative solutions in the identity space through our Startup City, offering a glimpse into the future of identity technology.
Identity Week America 2023 is a must-attend event for professionals seeking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of identity management. Whether you are involved in government, finance, healthcare, travel, technology, or any sector requiring secure and efficient identity solutions, this platform is designed to provide you with the knowledge and connections you need to succeed.
Registration are now open! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of Identity Week America 2023. For more information and to register, please visit our website.
Unifying their approach to transparent supply chains, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has initiated a first interoperability standards test to bolster the standard of communication between the private sector, government agencies and key stakeholders in the supply chain, while simultaneously allowing all to have control over choosing various technologies.
As America’s primary border control law enforcement agency, the CBP is involved again in the upcoming Identity Week America 2023 and will be a particularly outspoken voice on the first day on mobile digital identities. The event schedule includes two sessions exploring how we should increase collaborative use cases for mobile trusted digital identity for identity verification within CBP’s operations.
The CBP’s latest test focused on pipeline oil and steel supply chains, however, growing global interoperability standards will help support data and system interoperability as new technologies are developed combining with existing systems. This is the case for evolving machinery and security technology across most international aviation hubs, which are now deploying biometrics and mobile apps to store the passport holder’s information.
Modernisation efforts by the CBP look to be regulating the saturated tech market in keeping with innovation across the travel industry. The test of standards will ensure a joined-up approach exists to enable global interoperability of different software systems – old and new – working efficiently with each other.
Vincent Annunziato, CBP’s Business Transformation and Innovation Division Director had this statement to say:
“Interoperability standards will help unify the approach to transparent supply chains within both the public and private sectors, streamlining communication and improving both security and facilitation”.
“Our 2023 test (on pipeline oil and steel supply chains) created the possibility for more advancements. With bipartisan support, CBP will extend its commitment to global standards by testing its ability to verify the origin of transactions and issue credentials”.
Regardless of the specific supply chain, efficiencies guided by standards will remove the need for paper and create real-time data exchanges.
The modernisation strategy, which will encompass building a global interoperability standard in one area, has joined members of the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate under the Silicon Valley Innovation Program to achieve these objectives. They include mesur.io, Neoflow and Transmute.
In the Australian government’s response to the roadmap for age verification, submitted by the e-Safety Commissioner in March 2023, their judgement of “immature” technologies that present privacy, security and enforcement risks outweighed sympathy that online pornography is very much harmful to children.
A study included in the report quoted that 44% of children between 9 and 16 years are exposed to pornographic content online.
Despite calls over several years for a hardline e-safety policy, the government denied that ‘age assurance’ technologies were at a sufficient standard to be made mandatory for porn websites and social media platforms, with millions of young users, to implement. The age verification solutions market is not currently deemed ready to meet the demand however industries are tackling the development of technologies.
In other regions, faith in biometrics and age verification solutions may vary, as by contrast, standard measurements of biometrics such as NIST testing has helped certify many solution providers allowing them to reach the marketplace with high assurance of bias mitigation.
The report and government’s decision not to use “evolving” age verification technologies suggests that biometrics still present bias and anti-privacy concerns which industries should be tackling. The government puts pressure on industries to protect citizens using their services, whilst the Albanese Government and UK are far more ahead than Australia in establishing an Online Safety Bill. eSafety Commissioner will threaten to enforce an industry standard if the codes developed by industry do not provide appropriate community safeguards.
On 1 June 2023, the eSafety Commissioner agreed to five of eight drafted codes by the industry
Across all TSA facilities on 1st June 2023, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recorded its highest ever passenger traffic being screened in a single day using TSA’s PreCheck or CLEAR.
The agency said on this particular day in June it screened over 2 million passengers at TSA facilities across the country, but the summer of 2023 in general has been typically busy with passengers back in the flow of routine travel passed the most intense 3 years of the pandemic.
The TSA’s passenger security operation was tested on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July holiday weekends which set new records for the number of people screened. The busiest periods at security checkpoints were between 5 a.m. to 11 a.m and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m, TSA stated.
Throughout the endless year for travel, the TSA is committed to delivering passenger screening in less than 30 minutes and through TSA PreCheck screening in less than 10 minutes. In addition, the TSA has optimised the efficiency of the screening operation with the agency’s specially trained canines in explosive detection and TSA officers deployed from the agency’s National Deployment Force. At Identity Week Europe 2023, the key emphasis of improvements to security operations within travel, advocated by the European Border and Coast Guard agency Frontex, was to retain the presence of border control officers on the ground and training for personnel.
Currently the type of screening available at SEA’s checkpoints includes TSA PreCheck® screening only at Checkpoint 1 and 4 and general screening lanes at lanes 2, 3, and 5.
More than 15 million people are enrolled onto TSA PreCheck which expedites easier security screening travel procedures.
Previously, children 12 and under have been permitted to use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with an eligible parent or guardian on the same itinerary. Effective immediately, teenagers aged 13-17 can now accompany TSA PreCheck enrolled parents or guardians through TSA PreCheck screening when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the teen’s boarding pass.
UK retailers are stamping out shoplifters once and for all that reduce their revenue and customer loyalty, contributing £600,000 each towards using a police facial recognition operation for offenders.
CCTV footage that identifies clear facial images of shoplifters will be submitted to the police national biometric database for comparison. Matches will be determined if the offender has previously committed an offence to be added to the criminal registry database with their biometric data collected.
MP for Policing, Chris Philp has put pressure on police chiefs to enhance databases specifically recording the most prolific shoplifters which will be made available to retailers and police alike.
This collaboration to crack down on unwanted looting between the police and retailers comes as theft has spiked across the UK, Australia and the U.S. amid a cost of living crisis and many people’s financial situations worsening.
Project Pegasus, which will report back to Philp every 6 to 8 weeks, is a “zero-tolerance plan to target shoplifting” leveraging promising biometric technologies in policing.
Retailers such as John Lewis, Waitrose, Co-op, Next, and Sainsbury’s have all agreed to pay up.
Discover the future of digital identity in the Philippines as PSA Director, Rene Mendoza takes the stage at Identity Week Asia 2023.
Join us for an enlightening keynote session that unveils the transformative power of the country’s eID system and its impact on the global identity landscape.
Rene, from the Philippines Statistics Agency will share PSA’s success with citizen onboarding, the rollout of their ID card, and the inclusion of biometrics in physical identity cards. This session will be free to attend, so register for your free expo pass and join us at our keynote stage on the mornings of both days!
As part of our commitment to delivering an enriching and first class event, we have secured the participation of hundreds of industry expert speakers who are at the forefront of shaping the future of identity management and authentication.
The speakers will bring diverse perspectives and insights from a wide range of industries and are sure to elevate the discussions at Identity Week America to new heights
Check out some of our latest speaker announcements below from the finance, government and travel sectors.
FINANCE & BANKING
🎤 Tiffany Bacha, Director, Enterprise Chief Controls Office, The Bank of New York Mellon 🎤 Denny Prvu, Director of Architecture: Innovation & Technology, R.B.C Royal Bank 🎤 Titilayo Robinson, CIAM Capability Owner, Nationwide 🎤 Brian Russell,SVP – Head of Enterprise Platform for Identity Management and Authentication, U.S. Bank 🎤 Esther Scott – Esther Scott, Director of Product Management, Capital One 🎤 Greg Williamson, VP, Digital Identity, PNC Bank 🎤 Brook Ybarra,SVP Innovation and Strategy, American Bankers Association
GOVERNMENT
🎤 Carolyn Bayer Broring, Senior Forensic Document Examiner, US DHS Homeland Security Investigations Forensic Lab 🎤 Brian Broderick, Division Chief, USCIS 🎤 Gerald Caron, Chief Information Officer, International Trade Administration 🎤 Diane Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, US Customs and Border Protection 🎤 Kenneth Gantt, Deputy Director, DHS – Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) 🎤 Sumnesh Joshi,Deputy Director General, Unique Identification Authority of India 🎤 John ‘Neal’ Latta,Assistant Administrator, TSA
TRAVEL
🎤 Louise Cole, Head Customer Experience & Facilitation, IATA 🎤 Michelle Wilson, Senior Technical Advisor, Transportation Security Administration 🎤 Annett Steenbergen, Advisor Digital Identity and Travel, Government of Aruba 🎤 Jonathan Tailley, Senior Enterprise Architect, Air Canada 🎤 John Wagner, President, John Wagner Consulting 🎤 Alan D Wapner, Board President, Ontario International Airport Authority
Inundated with changes since Elon Musk’s takeover as CEO, Twitter – now rebranded as just X – will be sparking reaction online and offline as it was announced that users will need to disclose their biometric information and employment history.
Elon Musk’s company did not wish to say the extent of plans to transform the way data is managed and what new data will be required for verification. Seemingly ditching passwords to adopt multi-factor authentication with fingerprints or facial recognition scan, more personal data will be obtained than knowing the basic name and age identifiers allowed in the past to create social accounts on X.
Twitter confirmed it could not override user consent, but will begin “collecting” and “using” user biometric data to bolster its security against bots and verify users. In the brief statement, the policy change did not share how personal information will be used or stored.
Indicating that Twitter, or X, could venture into helping people find jobs like LinkedIn, this could be a credible motive behind the latest change in Twitter’s business management. The Blue Tick verification is currently used as visible proof of authorised users on Twitter which various national news outlets that have reported the story have said was undertaking tests to approve the tickets with selfie recognition and proof of a government issued ID. The revamped Blue Tick allegedly flouted privacy rules.
The updated privacy policy is for users registered to its subscription service, X Premium.
The statement said: “We may collect and use your personal information (such as your employment history, educational history, employment preferences, skills and abilities, job search activity and engagement, and so on) to recommend potential jobs for you, to share with potential employers when you apply for a job, to enable employers to find potential candidates, and to show you more relevant advertising.”
Twitter has been a project of a passion and then a loathed undertaking which he also suggested reselling. The big policy changes have certainly attracted attention and promoted X which could be his main goal in generating targeted marketing campaigns, but with fraud not prevailing for any section of the internet, cybersecurity could be Musk’s temporary fix as Twitter’s current CEO.
Last year there were attempts by some of his own staff to whistleblow his abrupt and unruly changes to policy that they alleged bypassed the company’s standard procedures on data privacy and Elon Musk is seen as a figure that will monetise what he can. Musk’s legal department was accused of asking engineers to “self-certify” compliance with the FTC regulations.
His reasons for “addressing security” matters by imposing caps on viewing 600 posts were quickly shot down to be a cover for Musk somehow wanting to, once again, pull the strings of making huge changes at Twitter – this time to Blue Tick subscriptions. He blamed the prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) now in every business, risking more “data scrapping” behaviour.
He restricted the vast majority of X’s users to having paid subscriptions on the platform, limiting unpaid users to viewing 600 posts a day which was later increased slightly to 1000.
Creating a forensic chain of custody and traceable code ownership for developers.
Headquartered in Washington D.C., CodeLock delivers software security at the code level for developers.
The start-up, founded in 2021, has been selected to participate in our 200+ Start-Up City Incubator at Identity Week America 2023, on 3 and 4 October.
Between CodeLock’s core network security solution and standard cybersecurity is the differentiating factor of a forensic chain of custody and traceable code ownership, combined with 3 multi-factor authentication methods – OTTs, facial recognition scan and passwords to verify developers.
Their patent pending cryptographic hashing functions ensure private ends of the code throughout the software development process.
Born out of an urgency to hinder software supply chain attacks on the rise, CodeLock has accumulated and raised funding grants to commercialise their offering.
With advanced management insights and performance metrics and data analytics, bad actors are blocked in the authentication of genuine developers presenting a traceable custody of code data.
The Department of Homeland Security Recommendation
“CodeLock appears to have the capability to stop the most sophisticated criminal malware. With respect to cyber attacks from hostile nation-states, CodeLock would also be effective…”
Both these organisations will be participating in Identity Week America 2023 and engaging in potential investor/mentee partnerships between industry and our Start-Up Incubator.
Fraser Sampson, the UK’s outgoing Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, has left a parting comment on the state and assurances of biometric surveillance when underpinned by “clearly defined”, “intelligible” policies, as he prepares to step down from office.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner invited Sampson to input into its consultation on a proposed code of practice for biometric data, which he has supported. During his tenureship, Sampson noted the “ever growing” capabilities of biometric surveillance systems strengthening around his policies and actions as Commissioner.
Underpinned by excellent technological capabilities, biometrics have also consolidated the Commissioner’s role in ensuring the code has a purpose that complied with by relevant authorities, including law enforcement, public and private sector.
The risks and societal concerns that biometrics pose – particularly in the areas of facial recognition technology and artificial intelligence – are more comprehensive than ” just data protection” matters, the report suggest.
“As a society, we are becoming inured to biometric surveillance, while technological developments have meant that our capability to prepare for, respond to and recover from global crises has increased beyond anything our forebears might have realistically imagined”.
The greater certainty and assurances that exist around identification and biometric technologies, the more benefits society will be able to leverage by ensuring law enforcement pursue the right offenders and have early intervention to prevent crime.
As Commissioner, Sampson drove a systemic approach to regulation based around ‘integrity’ which will be the ongoing challenges after his post finishes. He supported crystal clear standards that encompass new technologies while minimising competing or duplicate standards, in reference to DNA.
Munich Airport is fulfilling its comprehensive approach to digital transformation across the main clusters of innovation leveraging biometrics: automation, self-service and security.
Dr Jan-Henrik Andersson, Chief Commercial & Chief Security Officer, at Munich Airport recently publicly detailed the layers of challenges and opportunities in their strategy to advance digital transformation across aviation, focusing on data optimisation and sharing, biometric deployment, digital processes, and taking an ecosystem approach.
FutureTravelExperience.com has reported Mr Andersson’s comments on “automating” typical security and experience features of the passengers’ journey and installing state-of-the-art biometric self-service kiosks.
Biometric installations were set underway from November 2020 when Munich Airport become a member of the Star Alliance, implementing Star Alliance Biometrics facial recognition technology to match the passenger’s live image to their boarding pass information and biometric held data.
The launch of the alliance collected new members, FrankfurtAirport and Munich Airport which both made Star Alliance Biometric touchpoints available to customers on Lufthansa or SWISS airlines to facilitate the travel process.
In his public comments, Andersson shared that biometric services and digitalisation was a priority across the airport’s operations including, commercial offerings, electronic advertising, security checks, baggage check-in and loading processes.
Data availability, he said, was enabling real-time updates on flight information, identification and “steering passenger processes more efficiently”, with test use of digital wallets where all passenger information could be kept in one place.
The airport’s digital app is also a “companion” to the passenger when filling in their pre-flight and identity information.
Delivering a unique presentation during the conference on cutting-edge biometrics, we are delighted to announce Matt Davies, Deputy Executive Director, CBP onto the schedule for Identity Week America 2023, who will join a much broader conversation and dialogue around the ethics and innovation around real world applications of biometrics.
Matthew oversees multiple national-level programs related to admissibility enforcement and traveler facilitation in addition to serving as a primary point of contact for engagement between the travel industry and OFO.
He was instrumental in leading the implementation of Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks for CBP processing at ORD – the first U.S. airport to adopt this technology innovation.
He will participate in an open panel session on 4 October, 2023, showcasing the latest innovations in biometric technologies and highlighting the rapid evolution of biometric modalities beyond traditional fingerprint and facial recognition. The participants will analyse the unique advantages and drawbacks of each of these types of biometric technologies.
Paul Hunter, Chief Executive Officer, Craefte LLC
Tadgh Smith, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) for Technology and Transformation,U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Matt Davies, Deputy Executive Director, CBP
Brian Broderick, Division Chief, USCIS
Jay Meil, Chief Data Scientist, SAIC
Stephanie Schuckers, Professor, Clarkson University
Andrew Bud CBE, the founder and CEO of iProov, a leading London-based provider of large-scale face-based authentication services, will also be delivering a presentation on 4 October.
iProov technology is used for effortless onboarding and authentication by the US Department of Homeland Security, the UK Home Office, the NHS, GovTech Singapore, ING and Eurostar.
The first draft of guidance on biometric data and biometric technologies has been published by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The next guidance review will make a public call for evidence earlier next year from 18 August to 20 October 2023.
Aimed at biometric solutions providers, the guidance will strictly enforce that vendors abide by data protection laws for new biometric technologies, covering what biometric data is, its use in biometric registration systems, and data protection requirements.
Identity Week America is gaining momentum, and we are excited to introduce our esteemed Gold Sponsors who are playing a pivotal role in making this event an exceptional experience for all attendees.
They will be joining over 300 other exhibitors on the show floor across the 3-4 October 2023!
REGISTER TODAY FOR FREE AND JOIN OVER 3,000 ATTENDEES ON OUR EXPO FLOOR!
TECH5, an innovator in the field of biometrics and digital identity management, receives a patent (United States Patent 11721120) for “Contactless fingerprint capture using artificial intelligence and image processing on integrated camera systems”. With this patent, the company is aiming to protect one of its latest innovations – a neural network (NN) based mobile fingerprint liveness and capture technology called T5-AirSnap Finger.
The patent covers a fingerprinting solution that uses neural network (NN) based Machine Learning (ML) algorithms in combination with traditional image processing for contactless fingerprint capture, presentation attack detection, and fingerprint matching using a portable handheld device with integrated camera systems, thereby eliminating the need for a specialist device dedicated for fingerprinting. NN models are trained to first detect the size and direction of fingers in the captured image, check if the captured fingers are reversed (thereby making nails visible), check if the thumb of the correct hand is captured, check if the presented finger is live or a spoof, and generate fixed-length fingerprint templates for subsequent matching of fingerprints. A three-dimensional (3D) depth map of the finger is used to bring the fingerprint resolution to 500 dpi and eliminate distortion caused by the curvature of the finger shape to improve accuracy while scaling and flattening a fingerprint image. The solution facilitates contactless-to-contactless as well as contactless-to-contact-based fingerprint matching.
T5-AirSnap Finger efficiently captures and prepares biometric data for further processing in compliance with interoperability standards. The algorithms can be used for both enrolment and authentication on a mobile device and backend.
TECH5 has been participating with its contactless fingerprint capture technology in the UK Home Office Biometric self-enrolment trials consistently since 2021. Furthermore, TECH5’s fingerprint capture and matching technologies are part of ongoing evaluations by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and the FBI as part of the standardisation and certification of such technologies.
In June 2023, TECH5 won the first and second positions in the Liveness Detection (LivDet)1 2023 Non-contact Fingerprint international competition, with its latest NN (neural network) based fingerprint liveness detection technology for mobile devices. This technology is available to TECH5’s certified partners globally as part of T5-AirSnap Finger contactless capture offering for mobile devices.
“TECH5 is passionate about driving innovation and revolutionising the way we solve real-world problems. Our expert R&D team is committed to advancing contactless fingerprint capture and liveness detection, integral to critical applications such as national enrolments, law enforcement, eKYC, and decentralised digital ID. We take pride in leading the way in this exciting new field of research.” – says Rahul Parthe, TECH5’s Co-founder, Chairman, and CTO, listed in the patent among inventors.
T5-AirSnap Finger technology is deployed in various projects across Government and Private sectors as part of the T5-Digital ID solution as well as a separate product.
