The European Biometrics Forum (EBF) is pleased to announce the launch today (10 December 2009) of BEST Network, the Biometrics European Stakeholders Network, an ICT Policy Support Programme centred on a European Thematic Network on Trusted information infrastructures and biometric technologies. The EBF is leading the project.
BEST Network has brought together key stakeholders including the finest experts from across the EU to determine how biometrics can most appropriately be applied in the context of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
BEST Network will focus on promoting the development of new policy implementation schemes through working groups and workshops. This will include the exchange of best practices, common cross border strategies and future pilot activities.
The network is divided into seven key areas:
1. Border Control and Immigration
2. Emerging applications
3. European Registered Travellers schemes
4. Biometrics and e-ID
5. Training & Education
6. Testing & Certification
7. Ethical, Legal and Socio-technical aspects
This European Thematic Network on biometrics is based on four pillars; 1) technical, scientific, and industrial excellence; 2) legal analysis and compliance; 3) ethical awareness and sensitivity and 4) public and democratic transparency and scrutiny. The objective of BEST Network is to be instrumental in promoting the uptake of secure, convenient and trustworthy biometrics based ICT solutions for large, medium and small ID management systems.
Meanwhile, the scope of BEST Network extends beyond security applications of biometrics. While the most visible applications on the market are ‘mandatory’ applications for state security, such as border control and national ID programmes, biometrics may become a technology with which European citizens voluntarily interact daily as an enabling, convenient technology. Among these are applications in e-commerce, e-banking and health monitoring, and also voluntary security applications such as positive identification for fast tracking border control. All of these are expected to have a profound ethical, social, and legal impact on everyday life and the BEST Network will examine all of these impacts.
To maximise the input from a range of experts, there are 26 partners in the BEST Network as well as other expert contributors who will participate in the project as External Partners. The 26 partners include the EBF, GET, Schiphol, the University of Kent at Canterbury, Fraunhofer IGD, CSSC, EBG, the University of Leeds, Rand Europe, ANCITEL, Technische Universitaet Graz, Gjøvik University College, Universiteit Twente, Università degli Studi Roma TRE, Univeresidad Carlos III de Madrid , BIOSECURE Foundation, Katholieke Universiteit Tilburg, Secunet, NPL, ICPP, Crossmatch, Daon, Sagem Sécurité, Fujitsu, EUROSMART and the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas.
The External Partners from the BEST Network include EC Directorate Joint Research Centre, Frontex Agency, Brussels Airport, Bundes Ministerium des Innern (BMI), UK Home Office, Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Policy, UK Border Agency, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dutch Ministry of Justice, Priv-ID, TopForce BV Rotterdam, Global Trust Center, University of Sassari and the University of Utrecht. This list might extend during the course of the project.
Max Snijder, CEO of the EBF and the coordinator of BEST Network said:
"For the first time in Europe and abroad a network is established that focuses on the key aspects of biometrics in the context of different application areas and disciplines. BEST Network is a rich source of information and skills, by bringing together a variety of stakeholders, including end users such as governments, the European Commission, Frontex, airports as well as industry, academics and independent experts."