Standards for recording finger, face and iris information for use in identity management systems are now available. The standards cover data structures to digitally record finger, face and iris images, and fingerprint features.
Some of the standards will be used for the recording of biometric data on UK Passports and on UK ID cards*. The standards are essential to the following areas of activity:
- identity product/service vendors
- identity document issuing authorities
- Home Office planners (for police and prison service activities)
- legislators
- systems integrators
- auditors.
*If the Government's proposal is passed into law
The Biometrics microsite will provide you with background information, advice on implementation and the latest publication schedules.
The BS ISO/IEC 19794 standards are applicable to all identity management systems including:
- identity document delivery and access management systems – such as border controls, corporate identity and access cards
- prison access/egress
- forensic identification - to identify casualties or suspects at the scene of a crime
- citizens' rights - including voting, national health, unemployment benefits, driving licences
- privileges associated with a particular employment category - including access to highly secure areas such as ports, airports, military establishments, company buildings, information systems
- access to services - including banking services, financial services, and online purchases.
BS ISO/IEC 19794 will be used in access control and identification systems such as those based on smart cards or other recognition tools, and also applies to the storage of biometric identification data in corporate databases.
Reinforce Security and Prevent Fraud
These standards are essential for those concerned with government contracts and procurement or with the enhancement of IT security through the identification of personnel and/or physical access control. They will be of interest to any organization wishing to reinforce security and prevent fraud by implementing strong identity management and access management.
Specified by Governments
A number of Governments (including the UK, other European countries, and Israel) have specified that the use of biometrics by government departments shall conform to these international biometrics standards covering biometric data block formats, and have recommended that private organizations avoid vendor-specific solutions for the storage of such data.
