Biometrics Institute Media Release: Biometrics Institute announces its new board of Directors and sets its strategy to focus on building trust in biometrics in 2014
27 January 2014, Sydney/ London - The Biometrics Institute, the independent and international impartial body for the biometrics sector has announced its newly elected Board including representatives from Immigration New Zealand, the FBI and UK Ministry of Justice amongst others. This is a unique composition representing a majority of biometrics user (operator) organisations.
"I look forward to serving on the Board and seeing how we can engage with key players in the biometrics community here in Europe and across the northern hemisphere to supplement the excellent work that has already been done south of the Equator" says Roger Baldwin of the Metropolitan Police Service (UK) and newly appointed Deputy Chairman of the Biometrics Institute, "There are some significant challenges facing the industry, as we discussed at a recent meeting, but the potential coordinating role of the Institute will be vital in bringing together an increasingly diverse, global range of users and suppliers across biometric applications."
One of the first activities of 2014 is our support of Data Privacy Day (DPD) as a Champion. The Biometrics Institute's mission of the promotion of responsible use of biometrics continues to be top of the agenda. Data Privacy Day, held annually on the 28 January, encourages everyone to make protecting privacy and data a greater priority.
The Biometrics Institute already held its first event focusing on facial biometrics. "The challenge to protect privacy was a key theme and was related to the protection of identity and the need to focus on tools that would protect both, privacy and identity, for example through counter-spoofing techniques" says Isabelle Moeller, Chief Executive, Biometrics Institute. "A very topical discussion when we see a large face detection screen appear at Canary Wharf in London and Google glasses finding greater take up. It reaffirms the need for an independent organisation like the Institute to raise awareness about how to use such technologies responsibly".
A range of other events stimulating discussion on the future of privacy, data protection, biometrics and identity management have already been confirmed and include the 2nd Identities at the Borders Seminar on the 29 April 2014 in Brussels, the Biometrics Institute Asia-Pacific Conference to be held on the 28-29 May 2014 in Sydney, followed by a Digital Identities and Authentication Seminar on the 4 June 2014 in Wellington and the Biometrics Institute Showcase on the 26 June 2014 in London. Training and special networking events are also taking place: Introduction to Biometrics Short-course with biometric expert Prof Jim Wayman - 10-11 February 2014 in London and 1st USA Reception - 17 March 2014 in Washington at the Australian Embassy.
The Biometrics Institute is the independent and impartial international forum for biometrics users and other interested parties. It has been established to promote the responsible use of biometrics technologies. The Biometrics Institute has offices in Australia and the UK.
For enquiries contact:
Isabelle Moeller | Email:
