Identity Summit 2006 attracts Smart Card Experts, Biometrics and Information Security Professionals

The Summit is being held under the patronage of Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed al Nahyan, Minister of Interior and Vice Chairman of the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA).

"The Summit aims at exploring the latest findings and developments in the field of biometrics, particularly related to smart cards program and its uses, as well as introducing the experience of other countries in implementing smart identification and e-passport projects, " said Mohammad Al Shamsi, Director of Marketing and Population Services for EIDA.

"EIDA's participation and sponsorship of this event is part of its strategy to introduce the latest developments in the Population Register and the new National ID Card project to the public. This is one of the largest and most advanced technical projects in the Middle East, and provides an ideal platform to exchange ideas, meet decision makers and major players in the industry of biometrics," added Al Shamsi.

EIDA will present two papers during the event. Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri will address the opening session with a paper entitled, 'Identity Management Planning for Strategic Use.' Ali Khouryi, Director of IT and Systems Department, EIDA, will present a paper called, 'National Identity Cards - Setting Standards'.

Al Shamsi also noted that this year's Summit will have influential participation from GCC Countries. Bahrain will introduce the latest developments on the Bahraini ID Card project, while the representatives of other GCC countries will discuss their experiences and the challenges they face in the use of biometrics and other technologies in providing a secure means of proving identity and preventing identity fraud.

Among the key speakers at the summit are Walter Hamilton, Chairman of the International Biometrics Industry Association from the USA, Robert Moncy, Deputy Director, US-VISIT, US Department of Homeland Security and Elham Mohammad Saleh, Director of the Smart Card Project and Director of the Technical Resources Directorate, Bahrain.

The ID Summit 2006 is organized by the International Research Center for the Middle East and sponsored by EIDA, the International Association for Biometrics, the International Security Industry Organization. Co-sponsors are: Identix, Sun Microsystems, axalta, and Motorola. A4Vision has confirmed its participation as an exhibitor.