Biometric systems are increasingly being leveraged across the nation for homeland security missions and the security of U.S. citizens.
With this increased implementation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security aims to transition from the agency’s Automated Biometric Identification System, or IDENT, to a cloud-based service dubbed Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology, or HART.
During a closing keynote speech at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit, Lisa MacDonald, director of the Identity Capabilities Management division within the Office of Biometric Identity Management, or OBIM, gave an overview of the DHS component and how the agency is looking to advance biometric identity systems to face upcoming challenges including privacy concerns and data security risks.
MacDonald said the agency uses biometrics “across a broad spectrum of mission areas, for the things you would expect and also some things that might be a little new.”
For the agency’s new biometrics use cases, MacDonald noted that “this can include decisions about whether a person poses a risk to national security or public safety, whether to grant or deny a trusted traveler benefit like pre-check or global entry, whether to grant an immigration benefit or credential or grant a foreign national visa, if you’re Department of State, or allow individuals to enter the country at a port of entry.”
MacDonald said DHS uses primary biometric modalities including fingerprints, faces and the eye’s iris to identify a person. Furthermore, she said the agency has been looking into additional modalities, including voice and palm print signatures.
Following the collection of characteristics, OBIM frontline personnel are tasked with deciding whether or not the characteristics match the specified host. The component focuses on three biometric priority areas: service design and delivery, advocacy, engagement and governance and identity innovation.
Highlighting the third key area, identity innovation, McDonald said OBIM is working to ensure seamless identification to improve work and everyday processes for mission partners and customers.
“We can’t stay still,” MacDonald noted. “We have to keep looking for ways we can do this better, both from a process standpoint, a technology standpoint, a biometric modality standpoint and other identity capability standpoint. So we continue to pursue advancements and improvements in all of those areas that help us get that operator better information.”
With biometric implementation increasing worldwide, awareness of data privacy and potential risks to citizens’ civil liberties have also arisen. In response to risks, DHS published new policies to promote responsible use of AI technologies, such as face capture and recognition systems. DHS’s first Chief AI Officer Eric Hysen led the initiative.
At the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Artificial Intelligence Summit, you can learn more about how capabilities, including biometrics, are being used throughout the nation. Reserve a spot at the 2025 Artificial Intelligence Summit now!
