Wednesday, October 8, 2003
Press Release
SOURCE: International Biometric Group

Department of Homeland Security Awards Contract to International Biometric Group

New York, NY—October 8, 2003—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a three-year contract to International Biometric Group (IBG) for research into the impact of identity determination systems and processes on international travel, border management and homeland security.

Under this contract, IBG will work with DHS and key global travel stakeholders to research and explore technologies and processes that can significantly enhance homeland security, while maintaining the priorities of personal privacy and travel convenience. IBG will evaluate a wide range of identity management information technologies and systems, with a special focus on existing and emerging biometric solutions.

The contract is initially valued at $2.2 million and would increase substantially when all options are exercised.

“There is a clear need for objective evaluations to drive research into technologies that can help resolve homeland security challenges,” said Gary Strong, Director, Behavioral Research and Biometrics Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“International Biometric Group has been a leader in studying the application of biometric and other technologies to international travel and border challenges,” said Dennis Carlton, Director Washington Operations, International Biometric Group. “We are honored that DHS has chosen IBG to conduct this important research."

IBG has a well-established reputation for delivering comprehensive evaluations of biometric systems and their use in homeland security applications. IBG is currently conducting its fifth round of Comparative Biometric Testing, assessing the performance of a dozen leading biometric solutions. In early 2003, IBG delivered a report on the use of biometric technologies to secure America’s borders to the Executive Office of the President of the United States, Office of Science and Technology Policy. In the summer of 2002, IBG delivered a report evaluating biometrics in a broad range of large-scale, mission-critical air travel applications to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

About International Biometric Group
International Biometric Group is the leading biometric integration and consulting firm, addressing the identification and authentication needs of mid to large size organizations. IBG brings direct, hands-on expertise in all leading biometric technologies, including multiple-biometric systems. IBG works on behalf of both private and government clients to evaluate, design, and integrate biometric solutions for public sector programs, network security, Internet applications, point-of-sale applications, physical access, and smart card systems. Learn more at http://www.biometricgroup.com.

CONTACT: Trevor Prout
International Biometric Group
PH: 212-809-9491
www.biometricgroup.com
tprout@biometricgroup.com