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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, October 15, 2002

Biometrics proponents to gather in Hawai'i

Advertiser Staff

The growing use of biometric technology will be the focus of a three-day conference next month that will include such topics as homeland security, public safety, identity theft, administrative and criminal applications, e-commerce and consumer protection as well as legal and privacy issues.

Biometrics — the use of computer technology to identify people by their eyes, fingerprints and voice patterns, as well as hand pressure and geometry — was developed nearly 40 years ago but has gained increased attention amid heightened security concerns in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Proponents say biometrics will eventually replace personal-identification numbers, passwords and digital signatures as means of identification. Various biometric systems are in use by some Hawai'i businesses and organizations, and are being considered by federal and state agencies and the military.

Sponsored by Windward Community College and paid for in part by the Pacific Center for the Advancement of Technology Training, the conference will be Nov. 10 to 13 at the Sheraton-Waikiki.

The conference will include workshops and lectures by specialists, including three of the world's top biometric experts:

  • James Wayman, director of the U.S. National Biometric Test Center-San Jose State University College of Engineering; internationally recognized authority on biometric identification systems.
  • Anil K. Jain, professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Michigan State University; senior biometric researcher.
  • Tony Mansfield, Center for Mathematics and Scientific Computing, National Physical Laboratory in Middlesex, England.

Fees are $250 per person for the three days or $125 per day. The cost includes continental breakfast and lunch. Nov. 11 workshops will be free to all students, with a special student rate of $50 for the other days.

Exhibits featuring the latest in biometric systems will be open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 and 12. Exhibitors tables are $200 for one and $100 for each additional table.

To register and for more information, contact Peggy Regentine, conference director, 235-7312, e-mail: peggy@hawaii.edu or log onto biometrics.wcc.hawaii.edu.