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Biometrics in government - the South African situation

In South Africa, the application of biometrics is set to grow to unprecedented heights due to the heavy investment committed to the technology by various governmental departments.

A core requirement of identity management (IDM) is the provision of a fully automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) that forms the backbone of all future IDM solutions. The Ideco Group has successfully implemented large-scale civil and forensic solutions, among them the world's largest back record conversion (BRC) of over 32 million paper-based fingerprint records to digital format for the Department of Home Affairs, completed in October 2006.

According to Vhonani Mufamadi, CEO of the Ideco Group, "Sequencing the largest conversion of fingerprint records in the world was a pioneering venture in South Africa and its success has created an identity management revolution. We have opened the door into a new era of managing national biometric ID cards, passports, immigration, border control, driver's licences and pensions."

The Group is also involved in one of the most significant security advances in South Africa's criminal justice system: the application of Sagem fingerprint and palm-print biometric technology to secure the national Integrated Justice System (IJS). Over 1000 Sagem fingerprint readers with fake finger detection (FFD) functionality were also supplied to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for logical access control. These ultra-secure fingerprint readers are used specifically in forensic laboratories, the logistics departments, the Firearm Licensing department and the Stolen Vehicle department to secure all information.

Sagem's MorphoTouch and RapID technology is also used by the SAPS to target and capture wanted criminals. Hundreds of these portable readers are being used at roadblocks to identify criminals quickly and accurately. According to Mufamadi, "Since AFIS was commissioned in 2001, Sagem fingerprint technology has become a powerful tool in the fight against crime. We also see a very positive future for fingerprint technology in securing all logical transactions in South Africa's justice system."

The company is South Africa's sole provider of automated criminal background checks for the private sector. This service, known as AFISwitch, interfaces with the national SAPS AFIS to determine the criminal record status of a person. AFISwitch digitally captures fingerprints and has a turnaround time of approximately 48 hours as opposed to weeks or months required by the conventional paper-based service. AFISwitch allows companies and institutions to undertake background checks on job applicants and existing employees as well as to obtain clearance certificates for the purpose of emigration, permanent residence and international investments.

The application of biometric technology is also lending itself to a more secure IT environment, where fraud can be avoided by integrating fingerprint readers into IT systems. Logical access control lends itself to a wide number of applications including single-sign-on (SSO) for corporate networks, authentication for Internet banking, encryption and decryption of files and other password replacement applications. Of key importance to companies is the interchange of data between logical and physical access systems. For example, by using fingerprints to control access to the physical workplace as well as for PC login, all requests for access are monitored across the physical and logical platforms by a central system. The central system can therefore detect if a computer is still logged on after a person has exited the workplace. The system can automatically log the computer off to prevent unauthorised use.

These and other examples clearly demonstrate the extent to which biometrics has revolutionised IDM and secure access in South Africa's civil and private sectors. With the growing acceptance of biometrics worldwide, South Africa is set to be at the forefront of a global IDM movement - a proud moment for every South African citizen.

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