Biometric expert to advise Gulf companies

With increased security top of government agendas everywhere, science fiction has become science fact and Gulf governments are introducing multi-million dollar biometric-based identity programme for their civilian populations.

Biometric technology is about identifying people based on their physical characteristics using information technology. Biometrics is considered the only reliable solution for protecting the identity and the rights of individuals because it recognises unique and unalterable features.

Using information stored in databases or on chips in smart cards, biometric identification can involve the contours of a hand or finger, fingerprints or the pattern of an iris. Even variable characteristics can be used such as voice, the way a person writes a signature, the rhythm when typing on a keyboard, or the way they walk.

Taking the lead from their governments, companies in the region - particularly those in the financial, telecommunication, technology, aviation, healthcare and petrochemical industries - are now studying large scale security systems which incorporate biometric elements to reliably identify staff and customers.

It is against this background that the Middle East Biometrics Forum - the only dedicated event in the region - takes place between 22-24 June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (www.iirgulf.com/biometrics).

On the final day, a leading international expert in biometrics will lead a special workshop on "Putting Biometric Technology To Work."

Kush Wadhwa, is the consulting director of US-based International Biometric Group (IBG), the recognised leading international experts in the field.

IBG has extensive hands-on experience with all biometric hardware and software solutions, including fingerprints, facial recognition, hand geometry, iris-scan, retina-scan, voice recognition, signature-scanning and keystroke dynamics.

IBG clients include leading international organisations, including: American Airlines; US Federal Aviation Administration; Charles Schwab; EDS; International Finance Corporation - World Bank; Chase Manhattan Bank; Ingersoll-Rand; Citibank; Intel; Dresdner Bank; New York City Police Dept.; Fidelity Investments; Lockheed Martin; Transport Canada; Microsoft; the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Visa; Raytheon.

"We are very pleased that Kush Wadhwa and IBG have agreed to lead this practical and solutions-driven workshop," said event organiser Chris Mullinger. "The age of biometrics is now with us and the technology will be directly affecting everyone's lives in coming months."

Organised by the Institute for International Research, the forum investigates the growing market for biometric technology in the region as well as key, new applications in banking, e-commerce, healthcare, digital rights management, point of sale, as well as law enforcement, border and building security.

The forum is endorsed by the Association for Biometrics and includes participants from eHosting Datafort, UAE; the International Biometric Group, USA; Sagem, France; LG Iris, USA; Siemens, Sweden; Identix, UK; Banque-Tec, Australia; Datastrip, UK; ES Gulf, Bahrain; De La Rue, UK; Hewlett Packard, Middle East.