1. Future Interoperability of KST
Biometric Systems
January 31, 2008
Biometrics.gov

2. NSTC Subcommittee on Biometrics and
Identity Management
► National Science & Technology Council
► Cabinet-level Council is the principal means within the
executive branch to coordinate S&T policy across the diverse
entities that make up the Federal R&D enterprise.
► Established by Executive Order 12881
► Subcommittee on Biometrics and Identity Management
► For Biometrics:
■ Provide technical leadership in the development and implementation of
interoperable federal biometric systems;
■ Develop and implement multi-agency investment strategies that advance
biometric sciences to meet public and private needs;
■ Develop and adopt biometric standards as specified in the NSTC Policy
for Enabling the Development, Adoption and Use of Biometric Standards;
■ Develop consensus strategic outreach plans for biometrics, including
collaboration on www.biometrics.gov, the annual Biometric Consortium
Conference and other events;
Biometrics.gov

3. Subcommittee Organizational Framework
Co-Chair (Biometrics) Co-Chair (Overall) Co-Chair (Identity Management)
Brad Wing, DHS/US-VISIT Duane Blackburn, OSTP Jim Dray, NIST
Executive Secretary
Michelle Johnson, FBI (SETA)
Emeritus Co-Chairs
Kevin Hurst, OSTP
Chris Miles, DHS S&T
Subcommittee
Department
Leads IDENTITY
MANAGEMENT TASK
FORCE
Interoperability Standards Biometrics RDT&E S&T Assistance
Privacy
Communications
Biometrics.gov

4. NSC Deputies
COT CSG
Subcommittee ICG
Legal, Policy, Privacy
Interoperability
Standards Interoperability
Biometric S&T Guidance Standards
RDT&E Application & Collection
Communications Foreign Partner
RD&E
Privacy
Biometrics.gov

5. Interoperability
► Definition
► IEEE defines interoperability as: “the ability of two or
more systems or components to exchange information
and to use the information that has been exchanged.”
► Challenges
► Policy Issues
► Technological Hurdles
► Agency Business Objectives
Biometrics.gov

6. Historic Perspective
► Pre 9/11
► Legal/procedural restrictions separated intelligence and
criminal investigations
► Need for information sharing and interoperability not
emphasized
► Policy Drivers For Interoperability
► USA PATRIOT Act (Oct. 2001)
► Homeland Security Information Act of 2002
► U.S. Attorney General Directive (Apr. 2002)
► Presidential Executive Order 13388 (Oct. 2005)
► HSPD-6
► HSPD-11
► ISE
► NIP
Biometrics.gov

7. Where Are We Today?
Biometrics.gov

8. New Biometric Nomination Process
All USG Nominations to
be Transmitted via the Standardized
Electronic Biometric Enhanced
Nomination Form Check
Against
Existing
FBI*
Biometrics**
Terrorist Screening
Database (TSDB)
DHS DHS
Domestic Terrorism
Biographic
DOD DOD
DOS DOS
Biometric
International Foreign
Foreign
Terrorism Partners
Partners
Others
Others
Check Check Against
Against All Biometrics **Report any Findings to TSC for
Deconfliction and Possible
Existing Housed at Renomination to NCTC
Biometrics CJIS* Biometrics.gov

9. Biometrics.gov

10. Supporting Standards Policy
►Policy approved on
September 8, 2007.
►Registry of approved
standards nearly
complete
►30 day public comment
period to start next week
Biometrics.gov

11. Next Steps
► NSC Deputies Committee approval of
architecture
► NSTC approval of biometric standards registry
► Potential: NCO-like entity to help ensure
implementation
Biometrics.gov

12. Duane Blackburn
dblackburn@ostp.eop.gov
202-456-6068
Biometrics.gov