FAQ |
Folder 1
- In which context did the European Commission Launch the EBP?
- Why is Biometrics becoming a primary concern of European Society ?
Folder 2
- Can I also contribute to the information delivered by the European Biometrics Portal ?
- Should all contributions be written in English?
- What audience is the EBP intended for?
- Where does the information on the EBP come from?
Folder 3
- How is it possible that my own favourite biometric event, news or report in not even mentionned on EBP?
- What kind of information does the EBP provide?
- Who should I contact for more information, or to make comments/suggestions, about the EBP?
In which context did the European Commission Launch the EBP?
The biometrics sector is about to complete the first phase of its development life cycle. There has been progress, so far, on the technological, application, market and legislation fronts but not enough and too fragmented for the large scale deployment of biometrics systems.
Key issues of security, privacy, interoperability of systems and applications, performance, scalability, and data control, remain to be addressed, but more importantly it is high time now to support effective deployment of the technology by creating awareness and understanding of its potential as well as the limitations and to coordinate the pockets of expertise and best practice.
Due to international political developments and the related drive for increased security in a knowledge based society, an environment is now developing in which accelerated deployment of biometric systems becomes urgent. In response to these developments, the Commission adopted in September 2003, two proposals for Council regulations amending the regulations on uniform format for visas (1683/95) and residence permit for third-country nationals (1030/02), so as to introduce the use of biometrics.
Then, in February 2004, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Regulation on standards for security features and biometrics in EU Citizens passport (COM (2004) 116 final). This proposal aims at harmonising the security standards, including biometrics, for EU citizens’ passports in accordance with the conclusions of the Thessaloniki European Council of last year.
Biometrics technologies are now becoming a basic component to many security applications of the near future. Hence, measures should be taken, on a European level, in order to integrate the fragmented biometrics sector and bring the principal actors together.
A recent study on “The development and interoperability of electronic and biometric authentication and identification” revealed a big number of trials and small scale operational systems in Europe and internationally. Most countries which had no operational trials are planning to have one in the near future. The development of these applications proceeds often “stand alone” with little interaction between themselves.
In this context the European Commission has proposed a number of actions, one of which is the development of this web portal and associated actions for enrichment of its content. The Commission invites suitable organisations to contribute to the content of this platform and to exchange experiences and best practices and be informed on the available technologies and state of the art.
Why is Biometrics becoming a primary concern of European Society ?
Biometrics is the most used way to identify persons: you recognise a face, a photograph, the sound of a voice, because it looks unique. Today, biometrics technology enables to capture this uniqueness and digitalise these various biometrics attributes: face, eyes, fingerprint etc…
With the venue of the information society, Identifying yourself with biometrics seems the safest way safest means to protect your identity against theft. If a password is what you know, if a smart card is what you have, biometrics is what you are!
At the same time, Biometrics technologies are now becoming a basic component to many security applications. Pressures come from external countries, from the existence of terrorist treats and from the necessity to control migrations to upgrade passports and identity documents with machine readable biometrics. Member states are urged to find and apply solutions, sometimes in emergency. Hence, measures should be taken, on a European level, in order to integrate the fragmented biometrics sector and bring the principal actors together, in order to find interoperable, proportional to the real needs and respecting privacy solutions.
Can I also contribute to the information delivered by the European Biometrics Portal ?
Yes, you are invited to do so. If you are the author, or if you are authorised to publish any information related to biometrics (news, event or other resource as a paper, report, test etc, please join the EBP community: In the home page, click the button “Join EBP”. After identifying yourself and providing a unique e-mail address, your will be immediately able to submit contributions to EBP.
By the fact of submitting your contribution to the European Biometric Portal (EBP), you certify to be - or to act on behalves of - the author, the copyright owner or the contractual licensee of this contribution including attached documents if any. You will also be sure that you are authorised to communicate it to the public, and you will provide to the European Commission and to the Portal Administrator a free of charge non-exclusive licence, for the duration of your own copyright, to publish and distribute this information through the Internet via the EBP for free, and to mention you as the contributor.
After submitting your contribution, the Portal Administrator will index it according to the EBP taxonomy and publish it non-modified. If exceptional circumstances justify it, the portal administrator may contact you or even refuse to publish your contribution (if the content is not matching the portal objectives).
Should all contributions be written in English?
No, contributions and attached documents may be written in any official EU language. Depending the audience you want to reach, it is recommended to use one of the "Working languages".
What audience is the EBP intended for?
Although we welcome a broad audience, the EBP is intended for IT managers, planners and policy makers working mainly for public sector organisations in Europe.
Where does the information on the EBP come from?
Mainly from you, as member of the EBP community. In the home page, click the button “Join EBP”. After identifying yourself and providing a unique e-mail address, your will be immediately able to submit contributions to EBP.
By the fact of submitting your contribution to the European Biometric Portal (EBP), you certify to be - or to act on behalves of - the author, the copyright owner or the contractual licensee of this contribution including attached documents if any. You will also be sure that you are authorised to communicate it to the public, and you will provide to the European Commission and to the Portal Administrator a free of charge non-exclusive licence, for the duration of your own copyright, to publish and distribute this information through the Internet via the EBP for free, and to mention you as the contributor.
After submitting your contribution, the Portal Administrator will index it according to the EBP taxonomy and publish it non-modified. If exceptional circumstances justify it, the portal administrator may contact you or even refuse to publish your contribution (if the content is not matching the portal objectives).
EBP has also a special webteam that is frequently in contact with members of the European public sector and also searches for relevant information. This team also processes feedback from readers like yourself.
Use the Contact section for details on how to contact them.
How is it possible that my own favourite biometric event, news or report in not even mentionned on EBP?
Well, it is just because YOU forgot to submit it!
Go to "Join EBP" and register. Then log in: by selecting News, Events or Resources, you will be prompted for submission. Contact us to create or animate a Forum: it is free and can be set-up in a few minutes.
What kind of information does the EBP provide?
The EBP aims ultimately to provide a comprehensive overview of biometrics activities in current and future EU Member States. Besides news round-ups, it gives information technology policy makers and practitioners easy access to in-depth assessments of successes and failures of specific projects (see the News and Events sections). Introductory documents, references, and links to policy statements, are also posted on the EBP pages.
In addition, EBP allows you to participate to forums and provide your opinion, or to initiate such a forum (use the Contact section to propose it to the EBP administrator)
Who should I contact for more information, or to make comments/suggestions, about the EBP?
All feedback, comments and suggestions are welcomed by our webteam. To contact them, you can send an email to ebp@unisys.com.