Business of Biometrics

Whether enhancing security measures or automating identity authentication, there is little doubt that biometrics is presenting new opportunities for public service organisations to excel.

Accenture believes the answer lies in an integrated approach that blends biometrics technologies with business services and process improvement to help citizens and governments to manage travel and trade, securely, safely and with respect for individual privacy.

Advances in technology and improvements in IT infrastructure are helping to position biometric technology as a powerful enabler, driving new services and applications that are changing the face of citizens’ everyday activities.

In the Accenture Technology Vision 2011 report we highlighted how biometrics is evolving from a high-security, specialist technology to the primary tool for high-volume applications with a strong identity requirement—for instance, border control, voting or police applications.

“Automation and identification tools and processes can not only improve public safety and security, but also simplify and considerably enhance the experiences of citizens’ daily lives,” says Mark Crego, Accenture Global Border and Identity lead

Where is the impact of biometrics being felt today? What are the benefits being realized by governments and citizens alike from the growing acceptance of biometrics?

Teaming with global public service organisations, Accenture has identified four areas where a holistic approach to biometrics is realising value

• Safeguarding borders while encouraging trade and travel
• Improving policing and public safety
• Reducing incidents of identity theft
• Enabling the secure delivery of government services to citizens

Having worked on some of the largest biometrics programs in the world, Accenture believes that using biometrics technologies to recognise citizens and customers, coupled with streamlined processes and effective organisational design, will not only deliver strong identity management capabilities but also lead to better business outcomes and, ultimately, high performance.