By Russ Ryan, Vice President, National Biometric Security Project

Numerous national and civilian security applications will see improvement in functionality because of newly published biometric standards. Biometrically enabled passports will be made more robust because of new standards that define a general specification for physical characteristics, layout and security. A new FBI Electronic Fingerprint Transmission Specification standard helps ensure the reliability and quality of fingerprints submitted to the FBI. A new biometrics standard for financial services defines the security framework for using biometrics for authentication of individuals in financial services transactions. Additionally, a new testing methodology standard provides specific details on methods and techniques for conducting scenario or technology tests.