UAE, Saudi, Oman take lead in applying new technology
With security top of government agendas everywhere, a leading Middle Eastern state is planning the world’s biggest biometric-based identity programme for its entire civilian population.
According to industry insiders, the move represents the single largest roll-out yet of a Civilian Authentication and Fingerprint Identity System (CAFIS) anywhere in the world.
With total contracts worth around US$250 million expected to be awarded to winning companies, the programme dwarfs those previously announced by both the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Biometric technology is about identifying people based on their physical characteristics using information technology. Biometrics is considered the only reliable solution for protecting the identity and the rights of individuals because it recognises unique and unalterable features.
Using information stored in databases or on chips in smart cards, biometric identification can involve the contours of a hand or finger, fingerprints or the pattern of an iris. Even variable characteristics can be used such as voice, the way a person writes a signature, or the rhythm when typing on a keyboard.
The scale of the CAFIS project planned by the Middle Eastern state is vast and will involve the setting up of almost 2000 centres.
Top industry players from throughout the world will be discussing and demonstrating the latest in biometric technology and its increasing civilian applications at the Middle East Biometrics Forum (www.iirgulf.com/biometrics), which takes place next month in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“The leading role being played by regional governments in implementing biometric technologies – including a deportee tracking system introduced by the UAE and the huge national biometric identity system planned by another Gulf state – will also be a central feature of the forum,” said Chris Mullinger, the event director.
“Without doubt the age of biometrics is here and the technology will directly affect everyone over the next few years,” Mullinger added.
“For example, the G8 countries are studying the use of biometric techniques to prevent forgery of passports and other travel documents as part of their fight against terrorism.
“Both the US and the UK are planning to put biometric information into all passports by 2004/2005. The US will also track every foreigner entering America using biometric information collected on arrival.”
But several biometrics “firsts” have been announced already in the Middle East, giving the region a world lead, Mullinger added.
Sagem, the French telecommunications, defence and security technology company was recently awarded a US$50 million contract to develop an electronic identity card system for the UAE, which will include an internal biometric identity checking feature.
Since October 2002, in the world’s first such system, well over 100,000 deportees from the UAE have had their irises scanned and put into a database to prevent their re-entry. The authorities have already reported dozens have been caught trying to beat the system by attempting to re-enter with new papers.
The Sultanate of Oman has announced the introduction of a civilian identity registration system based on a smart card with stored biometric information in the form of a thumbprint. Registration starts at the beginning of next year at 12 centres in the country.
Iris recognition was also piloted in Saudi Arabia as a method of keeping track of the millions making the Haj each year.
Throughout the region, companies in the telecommunication, technology, aviation, healthcare and petrochemical industries have introduced security systems which incorporate biometric elements.
It is against this background that the Middle East Biometrics Forum - the only dedicated event of its type - will take place between 22-24 June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai.
Organised by the Institute for International Research, the forum will investigate the growing market for biometric technology in the region as well as key, new applications in banking, e-commerce, healthcare, digital rights management, point of sale, as well as law enforcement, border and building security.
The forum - endorsed by the Association for Biometrics - includes participants from eHosting Datafort, UAE; the International Biometric Group, USA; Sagem, France; LG Iris, USA; Siemens, Sweden; Identix, UK; Banque-Tec, Australia; Datastrip, UK; ES Gulf, Bahrain; De La Rue, UK; Hewlett Packard, UAE; and SD Industries, Germany.
-Ends-
For further information contact:
Chris Mullinger
Conference Director
Institute for International Research
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel : +9714 336 5161
Fax: +9714 335 2438
Email: chris.m@iirgulf.com
Web: www.iirgulf.com/biometrics
© Press Release 2003
