Airports all over the world are increasingly turning to state of the art Fingerprint Identification System to boost their security apparatus and preventing instances of fraud, where forged documents have been used to get past the immigration authorities. The new system called the ePassport incorporates new technologies like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and biometrics to form a foolproof security system, which, experts believe, will offer a top class airport security system. Once this new system is successfully implemented, automated fingerprint identifiers and fingerprint scanners will become the last word in airport security.

The need for an Automated fingerprint identification system was felt after the September 11 terrorist attacks, which exposed the loopholes in the existing airport security systems. Following the accident, studies were undertaken, on how to improve the airport security systems without inconveniencing the passengers.

International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines for Airport Security

Following this initiative by the United States government, a task force was set up to find out ways to improve airport security. After studying several options, the task force decided that a biometric based passport system was best suited for the needs of a modern airport system. A biometric system was preferred because it provided a foolproof identification system in a hassle free environment. Also, it was easy to use, reliable and durable; providing a security cordon for many years after a successful enrolment.

According to this program, all passports issued after 2005 will carry biometric information. Together, the RFID and the biometric technologies will reduce fraud, ease identity checks and enhance security at the airports. These passports would be designed according to the guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a body run by the United States Government and mandated to oversee the implementation of the ePassport. The ICAO guideline mandated the incorporation of RFID technology in the next generation biometric enabled passports. The guidelines further states that each passport would contain digitized facial information of the bearer in addition to fingerprint and iris data.

The US-Visit Program, which includes twenty seven member states, requires the visitor to include two sets of fingerprints in addition to a head shot, in order to make the identification process easier. Since this initiative was taken, many governments, including the Indian government have gravitated towards a biometric based passport system to make their airport security system more reliable.

Post September 11, the United States Government woke up to the fact that their airport security systems were extremely archaic and ill equipped to handle security threats, coming from across the borders. Therefore, a task force was set up, to modernise the existing airport paraphernalia and study alternate security systems, including state of the art Iris recognition systems, to improve airport security. The International Civil Aviation Organization-a government body- was entrusted with this mega project. Accordingly, the organization studied the existing airport security system and set rules and guidelines in doc 9303 of the charter.

The organization recommended that the manual passport system be replaced by a modern biometric based identification system. The new guidelines recommended biometric validation through face, fingerprint and iris recognition. These guidelines were adopted by the United States Government. Later, many more sovereign states followed suit including the European Union, India and many others.

Epassports deployed Radio Frequency Identification technology and biometric technology to create a new platform that, experts believe, will provide a potent frontline security against terrorist attacks. Moreover, as proved in London’s Heathrow Airport, such a system would help in the effective management of traffic. The Heathrow airport is considered to be one of the busiest airports in the world, characterised by long queues in front of the immigration counter. However, implementation of the biometric passport system has automated the entire process, which has helped the administration and the public alike.

The Heathrow airport had iris scanning devices installed at several vantage points in the airport lobby, linking it to a central database that contained biometric information of frequent flyers. Each time the visitor looked into the scanner the biometric information was compared with that in the central database. The system was configured in such a manner that the doors would open only when there was a proper match. Studies that were carried out later proved the efficacy of the system; the queue got shorter and there was a progressive streamlining of all airport security procedures.

How does the system work?

Iris is the coloured part of the eye and it is not to be confused with the retina. Iris scanners use infrared light to point out the iris, after which a sophisticated device is used to record the unique patterns contained in the iris. These patterns are subjected to mathematical modelling to study and then record the variances, which is then stored in a template to be used later. This process of collecting information is called enrolment and iris recognition technology is the most reliable method compared to other technologies including facial recognition and fingerprint.

Biometric passports or ePassports combines paper documentation and state of the art biometric identification to create a hassle free traveller identification system that is reliable, foolproof and easy to use. After the International Civil Aviation Organization laid down guidelines for biometric passports, many countries including India, started to revamp their archaic paper based passport system to make their airports secure. Experts believe that once this new system is established the biometric fingerprint reader will become the norm in the aviation industry.

Malaysia was the first country to implement a biometric based identification system at their airports. Way before the September 11 accident, biometric passports were issued to frequent travellers in Malaysia in an aim to improve airport security. Fingerprint readers installed at the gates scans for the information contained in the biometric cards, and this information is later validated by a biometric fingerprint reader at the entry point. The gates open only if there is a match. This system helped the Malaysian authorities to implement a foolproof biometric based security system.

India embarks on an ambitious biometric based ePassport system

The Indian government realizing the need for a modern biometric based airport security system embarked on an ambitious project that sought to implement a modern biometric based passport system in a phased manner. According to this project, the passport would be issued to diplomats initially and later on kiosks would be opened throughout India that would distribute this passport within three days under the Tatkal scheme.

The External Affairs Minister of India, Mr. S.M. Krishna said that electronic passports would be issued to its citizens within three days of application by using biometrics and digital technology. After commissioning two e-Passport Seva Kendras, managed by India’s premier IT provider, TCS, Mr. Krishna said that the main objective of India’s e-Passport scheme was to ensure its implementation in the shortest time possible and in the most reliable and cost effective manner.

The government of India has set up similar kiosks in Hubli, Mangalore, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Ambala. According to the scheme, the government of India will establish 77 more kiosks throughout the length and breadth of the country, costing an estimated 100 crore. The government hopes to implement the project by 2011.

Biometric technology has made airports safer through the use of ePassports; banks have made extensive use of this technology to make transactions safer; individuals have used the Usb fingerprint reader to secure their data- truly it can be said that biometric technology has made the world more efficient and safer.

E-Visa is a paperless system that incorporates state of the art Biometric technology and Radio Frequency Identification system to smooth immigration procedures and at the same time implement a foolproof security system that prevents fraudulent usage of travel documents to gain unlawful entry. The system uses a fingerprint reader to authenticate whether a person is who they claim to be by verifying their biometric details.

The United States government concerned with rising instances of cross border terrorism decided to set up an expert body to study ways and means to ramp up their archaic visa documentation procedures. The expert body found the then existing rules and procedures outdated and woefully inadequate to handle the requirements of the new milieu and suggested a revamping of the system. New rules and regulations were set up including the passing of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002, which recommended the use of biometric based smart cards in the place of paper visas.

According to the law, those visiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program will have to bear machine readable passports on their person at immigration. The e-Visa would contain a photograph of the bearer, personal information and selected biometric information in a 64 Kilo Byte chip embedded in the identity card. The identity card will be contained in a jacket specially designed to shield the information from unwarranted access. The e-Visa when brought in proximity to a scanner transmits the data to a central database. This information will then be authenticated at the entry point with the help of biometric fingerprint reader.

The Visa Waiver program is a special program of the United States Government that allows citizens of certain specified countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes without having to fulfill normal visa requirements. The program is valid for all the 50 states of the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island. Only citizens of developed countries with high income and featuring high on the human development index can qualify for this program.

The Visa Waiver Program was introduced in 1986 and was modeled on Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority scheme. The scheme gave a boost to tourism in the United States and facilitated better utilization of consular resources to more pressing issues of the day. According to the program, the visitors would have to provide advance information of their visit to the authorities in the United States. The permission to visit will given electronically; however admittance will be reserved by the American Government and can be revoked if the situation so warrants.

Biometric technology like iris scanners, USB fingerprint readers, and facial scanners have helped governments curb the menace of terrorism and at the same time made travelling easier and more comfortable.

Rising security concerns has led to radical changes in airport security systems all across the world leading to a growing interest in state of the art biometric and radio frequency identification technology (RFID).

The United States is one of the busiest travel destinations in the world with more than 500 million presenting themselves at the United States 422 ports of entry. Every year thousands of illegal migrants enter its borders by successfully forging travel documents.

The United States Government conducted studies and surveys which highlighted the loopholes in the existing system. The government decided to act on this anomaly and ushered in an era that proposed to use Machine Readable Travelling documents to address these security concerns and also make travelling much easier. The new biometric aided airport security system received a further boost in 2004 when the Intelligence reform law was passed in 2004 which recommended iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, facial recognition and hand geometry recognition for passenger identification.

Major Canadian Airports have been using Iris recognition systems to expedite passengers through customs. This facility uses an iris scanning device to record data and later on this data is validated with data stored in database taken at the time of enrolment. If there is match the traveler is allowed to enter the country’s border; however, if there is no match the traveler has the option to try the identification process again, failing which, he can present his documents at immigration for manual identification. The new system was tried out at Vancouver, Halifax, Toronto and Montreal and later on the system was implemented in Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton in 2005.

The Canada-US Fast Track Nexus program was perfect for frequent travelers between the United States and Canada who wanted quicker processing without having to get their documents manually processed every time. In order to expedite the process iris scanning devices were installed at checkpoints near the border and in airport lounges. Elsewhere in Europe, the Netherlands opted for an iris recognition system that allowed passengers enrolled into the system to get fast tracked through immigrations without having to wait in queues. The authorities installed iris scanners at several vantage points allowing the traveler to validate live iris data with the data contained in the e-Visa.

Biometric security devices have become the norm in airports all over the world because it provides matchless security and eases identification procedures without compromising on security.

With the threat of terrorist attacks omnipresent and the congestion at the airports increasing day by day authorities the world over, are increasingly turning to e-Visa’s to prevent fraudulent use of fake travel documents and at the same time making their borders safe. Experts have also given a green signal to the new system that will use Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTD’s) to usher in an era of speedier passenger clearance with enhanced security. The new system will have a fingerprint identification system at its core and will use contactless card technology to transmit data.

According to experts, the market for e-Visa is expected to grow to $2.7 billion in revenue by 2014 and most of the growth is expected to come from China, Australia, U.S, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Russia, Italy and Finland. Together these 10 countries are expected to account for 93% of the market, with further growth coming from developing countries like India, Mexico and so on.

This new system dispenses with the need of cumbersome travel documents while travelling as all the relevant details, including photograph, passport details, biometric data would be contained in a 64 Kilo Byte Radio-Frequency Identification chip embedded in the state of the art e-Visa that leverages the superior functionality of an automated fingerprint based identification system. The e-Visa comes in a jacket that provides a radio –frequency shield and the traveler has to take the e-Visa out of the jacket before it can be read by fingerprint scanners. This functionality is very useful for travelers as they do not have to stand in queue to process their documents at immigration.

The e-Visa meets the guidelines framed by International Civil Aviation Organization to make travelling safer. The guidelines were set as part of an initiative by the United States Government to deal with the threats posed by terrorists. Post September 11 a study group was set up to study methods of increasing the security at airports without inconveniencing the travelers. Accordingly, the ICAO was entrusted the job of studying the then existing airport security protocols and suggest ways and means to make it better. The guidelines suggested by ICAO were seconded by the United States Government and later on adopted by other sovereign states.

According to the new guidelines, the new system would leverage the durability and efficiency of biometric systems to make identification easier and smoother. Biometric applications like automated fingerprint identifier, fingerprint scanners are expected to become the norm in airports all over the world as governments grapple with escalating security issues.

Biometric technology is in the forefront of government and private initiatives to make the business environment safer and more productive with the help of biometric access control, biometric attendance and so on. One such initiative has been taken by the Indian government to facilitate governance by setting up a centralized database of biometric information.

The UIDAI Project

Accordingly, The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) was entrusted with the task of assigning Unique ID to every person residing in India. Once completed, the project will enroll 1.20 billion Indians to central data base located at the Central ID Data Repository. In order to make the system foolproof, Biometric identification systems and checks will be installed to ensure that that every individual is assigned only one identification, without any instances of duplication. Once this is done, biometric fingerprint readers can be used authenticate the beneficiaries of government aided programs, ensuring that the benefits reaches those intended. Also, Finger print readers installed at strategic points will give a boost to the present security apparatus by identifying and profiling the undesirable elements in the society.

In order to make the project a grand success, the UIDAI has roped in Accenture to implement the core biometric identification system in support of the Aadhaar program. The IT Company will assist UIDAI in benchmarking performance, maintaining quality of data, and devising ways and means to make the system more efficient. The project will run for two years or until 200 million enrollments, whichever is earlier.

Krishna Giri, Managing Director of Accenture’s Management Consulting practice, said that the Aadhaar program will help in the implementation of welfare programs like Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee (MNREGA) in rural India, as wells as providing easier access to health, education, and welfare programs.

MNREGA program to receive a boost after the implementation of the UIDAI project

The beneficiaries of the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee program will benefit from this program as it will do away with lengthy documentation and the role of the middlemen. The beneficiaries of this program will get their wages at their doorsteps after clearing a verification process using a fingerprint reader.

Biometric devices like the ubiquitous USB Fingerprint reader have become necessary in private and governmental organizations alike because of their ease of use and functionality.

The life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the largest life insurer in India, will become the first institutional partner in the UID Project. The Corporation has a huge database of 21 unique customers, holding 27 Crore policies, making it the biggest insurance company in the world.

The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which the LIC has agreed to act as a registrar for the delivery of 12 digit Unique Identification numbers to the people of India. The LIC is the first institution that has agreed to partner UID’s gargantuan project that will bring all Indians under a single umbrella, facilitating smoother interaction between various private and public sector organizations across the country.

UID to use Iris recognition technology

The UID project will be based on demographic data, and biometric data based on fingerprints, photographs and an iris scan.

Iris recognition system is considered to be reliable and very robust. Iris scanning devices uses an infrared device to scan the iris, recording its patterns for later use. This process of recording the data is known as enrolment. Iris recognition has an advantage over other biometric systems because the iris retains its distinctive nature years down the line, giving a substantial saving in cost.

The UID project will use an iris scanner to record data, which later be incorporated in the database. The 12 digit number will be a repository of biometric and demographic information, helping governments and organizations to get information about an individual.

Nandan NIlekani, Chairman, UIDAI, and Mr. T.S Vijayan, Chairman, LIC jointly signed the memorandum, which is expected to help LIC deliver on its Social Security Schemes and at the same time streamline administration and premium collection procedures.

According to experts, the scheme will bring forth financial inclusion as more than 4 Crore policyholders under the Jana Shree Yojana (JSBY), Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana, and Micro Insurance scheme are expected to benefit. The project intends to bring about better financial inclusion by filtering the benefits of the booming economy to the marginalized by paving the way for greater financial inclusion.

LIC has a database, consisting of information about its customers which it hopes to use in the issuance of UID Numbers to its customers. A company spokesperson said that the UID Number would help the company to provide the best-in-class service and fulfilling its objective to provide coverage to each and every citizen of the country.

Post 9/11 hotel industries across the world are looking to newer technologies like Biometric access control systems to make their premises safer for their guest and to prevent its misuse by criminal elements. Once this system is implemented the hotel industry will be able to fulfill government guidelines that call for stricter identification procedures while checking in.

Booking a room used to be a simple procedure requiring little documents; the receptionist would match the guest’s name with that on the register and hand over the keys to the room. But, in the current scenario, characterized by identity and credit card frauds it is no longer safe to rely on such procedures. What is required is a dynamic and robust system that would weed out the criminal elements, making the hotel environment safe for the guests.

The Dilemma

Even though the hotel industry understands the lacunae in the archaic check in system currently in place, it faces a twin dilemma: How to improve security without offending the guests. Biometric security based on its low invasiveness offers a perfect solution to the hoteliering industry, improving security protocols without in any way offending the guests.

Joe Mortimer, an expert on hotel security, does not see any let up in the security breaches that continue to plague the hotel industry, requiring a significant ramp- up of security protocols with a focus on biometric based identification technology.

Joe Mortimer was referring to recent events in Dubai where a hotel served as a hub of a terrorist attack mounted on Palestinian leaders. According to unsubstantiated reports, terrorist had checked into the hotel using fake credentials and documents. The hotel manager said that had followed the standard protocol; taking a copy of their passport and a credit card swipe, before handing them the keys and wishing them a pleasant stay. The manager said that security clearance procedures followed by the hotel were at par, if not better, than those followed at international hotels.

However, the aftermath of the incident begets the question; whether visual identification is sufficient proof against cases of forgery, or, is there a case for implementing newer technology. According to experts, it’s high time the hotel industry upgrades its security systems in order to prevent misuse of its premises. The biometric technology will help hotels provide better security for its guests, improve productivity by making biometric attendance mandatory, and offer better customer experience to its guest by providing accessibility at the touch of a fingertip, utilizing fingerprint access control systems.

Nine Zero Hotel in Boston goes the Biometric way

The Nine Zero Hotel in Boston had implemented a state of the art biometric access control system in its Cloud Nine penthouse suite, making it one of the most secure rooms in the city. The penthouse suite is a popular choice for many celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock, who have stayed at the hotel’s uber-cool penthouse suite.

Signature verification systems are being used by government and private organizations to reduce dependency on paper, make transactions faster and more reliable. This new way of doing business has already been ratified by parliamentary bodies in the USA, India and the European Union.

Signature verifications systems may be key based or biometric based. In key based technology the signature is associated with a key which is kept at the sender’s computer. However, the security of such systems is dependent on the integrity of the sender’s computer. If the computer is hacked there is a risk that the key may be misused. Smart cards carry no such risk, and its portability makes it very useful for professionals on the go. Biometric signature verification systems use an electronic signature pad to record biometric traits like style of writing, pressure and keystroke. This data is analyzed with the help of electronic signature software and a template created. This template is later used to validate the signature.

This system is foolproof because no two signatures are alike, and it is almost impossible to copy another’s signature with any conviction. Recognizing this trait, the Indian government passed the Information Technology Act 2000 which addressed the following issues-

• Legal Recognition of Electronic documents
• Legal Recognition of Digital Signatures
• Offenses and contraventions
• Justice dispensation system for cybercrimes

This act caused a paradigm shift in how business was done in BFSI, health, real estate sectors; making transactions quicker and removing the influence of middlemen.

Some Case Studies

Indian Patent Office

The Indian patent office processes patents, trademarks and copyright applications on a daily basis, receiving thousands applications daily. The manual system that existed before was extremely tedious and unmanageable. Since the system was secretive it was open to manipulation and conjecture. The government recognizing the loopholes that existed in the system implemented an online system of submission, where each application was to be authenticated by a system of digital signature verification system. This made the process more streamlined and removed human intervention.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

The DGFT processes requests and issues import and export licenses, receiving thousands of applications every day. The manual system that existed before was prone to corruption, causing losses to the economy. The system was revamped, enabling users to file application online, without having to seek recourse to any middlemen. Each application was authenticated with the help of an electronic signature pad that records an individual’s unique biometric traits like style of writing, pressure exerted at the time of writing etc. The new online system helped in removing the irregularities from the pre-existing system and helped smooth submission of applications.