Several Biometric Technologies to be Merged to Improve Identification

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

The US biometric identification system is gaining momentum. The new Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) platform supports the Department of Homeland Security and its mission partners, and will help the government keep pace with the growing sophistication of domestic threats. Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $95 million contract by the DHS Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) to develop the first two increments of the system. The company will serve as systems developer and integrator for this 42-month effort.

HART is the organization’s next-generation recognition program, replacing the Automated Biometric Identity System (IDENT) built in the 1990s. It is a more robust system than its predecessor and will perform multimodal biometric identification of individuals to enable both national security and public safety, and to improve benefits and services.

When fully implemented, HART will feature multimodal processing and matching technology that uses a combination of face, finger and iris biometrics meeting DHS accuracy requirements.

According to photonics.com, Northrop Grumman said it will take this critical biometric identity technology to the next level. As threats continue to evolve, HART will offer a more accurate, robust way to identify adversaries in a secure, affordable manner that scales to future needs and ensures interagency data sharing.

A keen focus on safeguarding personally identifiable information and on ensuring the critical sharing of data across interagency partners underpins the technology. Using HART’s scalable architecture, the technology will allow for vastly increased transaction volumes, new modalities and mission growth for the nation’s largest biometric system.