Identity management, document authentication and biometric companies form “The Airport Entry and Exit Working Group” and release a framework to guide DHS and Congress

The Secure Identity & Biometrics Association (SIBA) of Washington, DC and the Security Industry Association (SIA) jointly announced the formation of the airport entry and exit working group and release of its “Identity and Biometric Entry and Exit Solutions Framework for Airports” on November 18. The framework received official support from BORDERPOL, the international non-profit organization that works directly with governments to improve and provide expertise regarding border security, traveler, and migration systems.

The purpose of the framework is to support the important work of the Department of Homeland Security’s apex air entry and exit re-engineering (DHS AEER) project as a key stakeholder, and urges Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to deploy a cost-effective and efficient airport biometric exit program that adheres to 16 years of federal statutory mandates with Congressional oversight and funding.

The framework makes clear that the implementation of airport biometric exit program and improvements to biometric entry processes are not only doable and capable of meeting essential border control criteria, but are long overdue. SIBA CEO Janice Kephart said, “The group we have formed includes innovators that have worked with DHS for years on identity solutions, and others responsible for deploying huge biometric border systems overseas. It is pivotal that the Department of Homeland Security properly engage the Airport Entry and Exit Working Group now so the best biometric entry-exit solutions can be deployed as quickly as possible.”

Don Erickson, CEO of SIA, added, “The security industry has a long history of working with other stakeholders to provide technology solutions addressing border security and immigration issues. I am hopeful that formation of the Working Group will foster the kind of productive public-private sector partnership that is essential to solving our nation’s most pressing challenges.”

Source: Secure Identity & Biometrics Association