Frontex Perspectives on Biometrics for Border Checks

Abstract

The European Union is developing new concepts for border management. Biometrics is seen is a key technology to facilitate more secure and convenient border management. Biometric information in the form of the facial image is already stored in the electronic passports, and from 2009 fingerprints will also be stored. Also from 2009, biometrics will be introduced in the Visa Information System (VIS). The VIS will store facial images and fingerprints of all visa applicants and a check against the stored data will be performed at the border crossing. The use of biometrics makes the concept of automated border crossing feasible. Frontex has studied such systems and found them to perform well. There are, however, several design issues that need to be addressed to make the systems more user friendly.