Emerging Tech

Biometrics in Action

Federal agencies ramped up the use and scope of facial recognition tools in 2020, expanding programs to target more people and making significant technology upgrades.

Emerging Tech

Intel Agencies Seek to Perfect Biometric Recognition from Drones

Intelligence and military researchers want to merge facial recognition with other biometric methods to identify people from long distances and steep angles

Emerging Tech

Pentagon Clarifies Biometrics Database Can Move to Any Secure Cloud, Not Just AWS

While the performance work statement namechecks a specific cloud provider and product, a subsequent amendment and Q&A clarify the Pentagon’s true intent.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers, Experts Split on CBP's Proposed Biometric System Advancement

Some experts see Customs and Border Protection’s proposed rulemaking expanding biometric entry-exit as the culmination of more than a decade of careful work. Others say the technology poses privacy concerns.

Cybersecurity

CBP wants to expand facial recognition

Customs and Border Protection is on track to move out of its test phase and expand use of facial recognition systems at airports and land border crossings.

Emerging Tech

CBP Proposes Eliminating Age Restrictions and Opt-Out Policies for Non-Citizen Biometric Data Collection

The new rule enables Customs and Border Protection to expand its biometric entry-exit program and changes other regulations along the way.

Emerging Tech

Advisory Committee Recommends DHS Perform Better Outreach Regarding Biometrics Programs

The Homeland Security Advisory Council also said its request to review a controversial biometrics rule was never fulfilled.

Emerging Tech

Army Considers Facial Recognition to Monitor Children in Its Care

The branch aims to pilot video surveillance and machine learning algorithms to see how they can help keep an eye on kids’ well-being in its child development centers.

Ideas

How Government Agencies Can Use Tech to Safely Get Back to Their Workplaces

Now is the time to prioritize collaboration between the IT, physical security and human resources teams.

Modernization

Pentagon Will Move Primary Biometrics Systems to Amazon Cloud

The move means at least two of the government's biggest biometrics databases will live in AWS clouds.

Emerging Tech

DHS Biometrics Proposal Represents ‘Unacceptable Escalation of Government Surveillance,’ Senators Say

Five senators sent a letter urging the Homeland Security Department to abandon a proposal to expand its biometrics program.

Policy

CBP Launches Website to Promote Transparency Around Biometric Travel Program

Privacy advocates say they still want better privacy protections for the agency's Entry-Exit program.

Cybersecurity

IG: CBP Responsible for 2019 Biometrics Breach, Though No Federal Networks Were Compromised

A ransomware attack on a Customs and Border Protection vendor leaked facial images on more than 184,000 travelers—something agency security and policy should have prevented.

Emerging Tech

Justice Wants to Add Facial Recognition to Marshals’ Smartphones

The service is looking for a software development kit to help it integrate biometrics tools with an app used to facilitate prisoner transfers.

Emerging Tech

Bill Would ‘Jumpstart’ Planning Process for Beefing up Border Security Tech

The bill, announced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, would require the Homeland Security Department to develop a comprehensive border security technology strategy.

Artificial Intelligence

New Pentagon Initiative Aims to Help Allies, Contractors Work Together on AI

New tools are planned to help various militaries and defense companies cooperate and interoperate on artificial intelligence.

Digital Government

GAO Issues Definitive List of Most Important Federal IT Acquisitions

The Government Accountability Office scored more than 100 federal IT projects and offered detailed breakdowns of the most “essential mission-critical IT acquisitions.”

Digital Government

DHS Files Rule Proposing Increasing Scope of Biometric Information Collection 

The Homeland Security Department posted the full text of a proposal to the Federal Register that would give it the ability to collect more biometric information from immigrants.