Department of Defense Biometrics Releases New Informational Pieces on Biometrics

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 30, 2004-Department of Defense (DoD) Biometrics today announced that it has released a new Biometrics 101 Tutorial video and a publication entitled What DoD Thinks of Biometrics on its website. Both informational pieces - designed to contribute to the DoD community’s understanding of biometrics - can be accessed at www.biometrics.dod.mil.

The Biometrics 101 Tutorial video is a collaborative effort between the National Defense University at Fort McNair, Washington D.C. and DoD Biometrics. Presented by Lieutenant Colonel Craig Kaucher (U.S. Army Ret.), the video provides an introduction to biometric technologies, basic concepts, and societal issues associated with biometrics. At the time of video production, LTC Kaucher was a Professor of Information Operations and Assurance at the National Defense University, where his educational focus areas included information assurance, biometrics, information operations, and homeland security. Throughout his 21-year military career, LTC Kaucher served as an Army Signal Corps Officer and in the U.S. Intelligence community. Mr. Kaucher recently accepted a position as the Chief Information Officer to the Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis, Department of Homeland Security.

What DoD Thinks of Biometrics contains excerpts from selected interviews conducted with members of the DoD community discussing biometric technologies and how they can be used by DoD components. The publication, which is based on a survey conducted by DoD Biometrics and the RAND Corporation’s Arroyo Center, provides information about current and future biometric use in various DoD mission areas. Between January and June 2003, the survey team conducted extensive interviews with a broad range of participants across the United States and at U.S. military installations overseas. Though not statistically representative of DoD’s views on biometrics, What DoD Thinks of Biometrics provides interesting, informative,and insightful comments on the technology.

“It is important for Department of Defense Biometrics to provide this educational service to DoD members who may be unfamiliar with biometric technologies,” said John D. Woodward, Jr., Director of the DoD Biometrics Management Office. “The Biometrics 101 Tutorial is an excellent introduction presented by a subject matter expert. What DoD Thinks of Biometrics is one of the few publications readily available that reports how members of the national security community view the technology.”

The Department of Defense (DoD) Biometrics Management Office (BMO) is responsible for leading, consolidating, and coordinating the development, adoption, and use of biometric technologies for the Combatant Commands, Services, and Agencies, to support the warfighter and enhance Joint Service interoperability. The BMO reports to the Army Chief Information Officer who acts on behalf of the DoD Executive Agent for Biometrics, the Secretary of the Army. The recently formed Identity Management Senior Coordinating Group provides senior-level, DoD-wide strategic guidance to the BMO, given its mission to oversee efforts in the areas of Biometrics, Public Key Infrastructure, and Smart Cards.