Case Study (IND)

 

Biometrics Governance Framework

Client: Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Home Office

Background/Objectives

The IND commissioned this strategic study in order to establish a governance framework for the co-ordinated planning, development and implementation of biometrics in support of IND's policy objectives.

Approach and Benefits to Client

Consult Hyperion approached this study by performing a number of tasks in parallel in order to comply with the rigorous time frame:

• reviewed current position through access to documentation and IND staff, as well as team knowledge of existing initiatives.
• conducted interviews. Around 30 interviews were performed with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that needs and requirements were identified throughout IND's entire operation.
• defined requirements - the interviews helped to refine the business needs and requirements.
• reviewed external influences. An assessment was made of the external biometric technology market and international initiatives that may affect the work of IND, as well as the relevant activities of other UK government departments. This assessment was used to formulate the key constraints on the emergent biometrics framework.
• assessed policy implications and developed framework. A 'straw man' framework for biometric planning, development and implementation was produced mapping IND requirements to appropriate biometric type for each person type IND deals with.

The provision of key recommendations in the areas of:

• Co-ordination of biometric technology within IND and the Home Office.
• New assignment assessment and initiation.
• Implementation of assignments using biometrics.

Subsequently, and in line with Consult Hyperion's recommendations, the following changes were made within the Home Office:

• A central body, the IND Biometrics Strategy Steering Group, was set up to co-ordinate all IND biometric technology activities.
• IND BISTD's (Business and Information Systems Technology Directorate) existing fingerprint programme has been widened to be a biometrics programme and includes facial and is likely to eventually encompass the IND UKIS (Immigration Service) iris projects.
• Biometric Co-ordination and Strategy Group was set up driven by IND, with Home Office-wide members including PITO (Police IT Organisation), UKPS (Passport Service), FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), UKvisas and the ID Card Unit.