Biometrics Governance Framework
Client: Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND),
Home Office
Background/Objectives
The IND commissioned this strategic study in order to
establish a governance framework for the co-ordinated planning, development and
implementation of biometrics in support of IND's policy objectives.
Approach and Benefits to Client
Consult Hyperion approached this study by performing a
number of tasks in parallel in order to comply with the rigorous time frame:
- reviewed current position through access to documentation and IND staff,
as well as team knowledge of existing initiatives.
- conducted interviews. Around 30 interviews were performed with internal
and external stakeholders to ensure that needs and requirements were
identified throughout IND's entire operation.
- defined requirements - the interviews helped to refine the business needs
and requirements.
- reviewed external influences. An assessment was made of the external
biometric technology market and international initiatives that may affect the
work of IND, as well as the relevant activities of other UK government
departments. This assessment was used to formulate the key constraints on the
emergent biometrics framework.
- assessed policy implications and developed framework. A 'straw man'
framework for biometric planning, development and implementation was produced
mapping IND requirements to appropriate biometric type for each person type
IND deals with.
The provision of key recommendations in the areas
of:
- Co-ordination of biometric technology within IND and the Home Office.
- New assignment assessment and initiation.
- Implementation of assignments using biometrics.
Subsequently, and in line with Consult Hyperion's
recommendations, the following changes were made within the Home Office:
- A central body, the IND Biometrics Strategy Steering Group, was set up to
co-ordinate all IND biometric technology activities.
- IND BISTD's (Business and Information Systems Technology Directorate)
existing fingerprint programme has been widened to be a biometrics programme
and includes facial and is likely to eventually encompass the IND UKIS
(Immigration Service) iris projects.
- Biometric Co-ordination and Strategy Group was set up driven by IND, with
Home Office-wide members including PITO (Police IT Organisation), UKPS
(Passport Service), FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), UKvisas and the ID
Card Unit.