Air Force gets behind biometrics
04 February, 2008
category: Biometrics, Government, Transit
The U.S. Air Force is using biometrics to secure facilities and its computer networks.
Air Force members are issued the U.S. Department of Defense’s Common Access Card, but the military branch is using biometrics for additional security. For example, Scott Airforce Base, St. Clair County, Ill., uses hand geometry so personnel can access the Metrolink, a St. Louis area public transportation system.
The Air Force is using biometrics on its computers as well. More than 2,000 computers in the Pentagon have biometric technology installed and has resulted in a 90 percent decrease in username/password helpdesk calls.
In addition, the Air Force is planning to invest in a multi-million dollar biometric-enabled enterprise system called the Defense Biometric Identification System, or DBIDS, which would allow electronic verification of ID cards at base gates.
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