How to Add Biometrics To Your Corporate PIV Card Issuance Process

Now that numerous enterprises have implemented corporate PIV cards (PIV-C) for multi-factor authentication needs, they want to get even more security from PIV by adding biometric components to their PIV cards. This blog will provide a guide for adding biometrics to an existing PIV-C issuance system as well guidance for implementing a biometric program in new environments

 

Agenda

This blog will help you add a biometric capability to your enterprise. It describes:

  1. Benefits of Biometrics
  2. What you will need
  3. Implementation Steps

Benefits of Biometrics

Biometrics are mainstream. Not just because of the awareness of the new mobility platforms that leverage biometrics (iPhone, Droid, Surface Pro), but also because of a range of security and basic economic factors. Thanks to the spectacular biometric standardization work of NIST, biometric capture and usage processes and interfaces have been standardized so that biometric data is compatible across multiple vendor platforms. This interoperability allows the enterprise to hot swap different biometric devices depending on their business need. Another benefit of standardization is the increased competition in the marketplace which has normalized prices. In the last few years, the prices for biometric hardware has dropped dramatically. In the early 2010’s biometric capture devices cost over $10,000. Now they can be purchased for under $1,000 making biometric technology much more affordable and realistic for enterprises.

Security

In terms of multi-factor authentication, biometrics add another factor. The security implications of this new factor are spectacular. Now to use a person’s credential, they must 1) physically possess the card, 2) know the PIN code, 3) present the fingerprint and/or Iris scan.  Think about what this means in realistic terms. The attacker would have to steal the card, guess the card’s PIN, and then present the correct biometric to access a system protected by PIV Card authentication. Given these multiple layers of control, it is impossible for someone to successfully use some else’s PIV card for authentication. *Now I know it is possible for the two people to collude so a PIV card could surreptitiously be used by multiple people. But if all controls are in place, a tripled multi-factor authentication scheme is extremely secure.

Operational Efficiencies

With added security and trust, the enterprise can replace human based labor-intensive verification processes with secure, automated machine based transactions. Even in the PIV Card personalization process, if the user verifies their identity with a fingerprint, they can load their card without the need to be visually verified by a security or issuance operator. This means the user can load their card from their house, office or even kiosk at a time that convenient for them. No more wasted time in traffic just to encode their PIV card.

What you will need

Updated Privacy Policy

A sometimes overlooked, but critical element is the enterprise privacy policy. The policy should clearly state what will be done with the biometrics, who can access, how long it will be stored, and how it is secured. NIST has published a guide for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) that can help you enhance your privacy policy for biometric data (https://www.nist.gov/publications/guide-protecting-personally-identifiable-information)

Issuance Model Refinement

The credential issuance process will need to be updated to include the enrollment of biometric data. The great thing about PIV-C is the flexibility of where biometrics can be captured in the process.

Options for biometric collection

  • Enrollment phase: Biometrics are acquired before the user has been adjudicated, usually during the photo or identity document capture phase. The advance of capturing the biometric data in this phase is the biometrics can be used in later credentialing phases in a manner to optimize the entire credentialing process. For example, a user can use their fingerprint to verify their identity so that they obtain their credential using a self-service kiosk.
  • Credential pre-issuance: This has occurred after the enrollment phase, but right before the credential is encoded. The advantage of this model is biometric can be captured on demand just before the credential is loaded and given to the user.
  • Credential post-issuance: Occurs after the credential has been issued and the user already has the credential in hand. The advantage of this model is it allows the enterprise to add biometric capabilities after the card has already been issued.

Biometric Capture Training

Another often overlooked element is training. The key to being able to use biometrics after they are enrolled is quality. Therefore, enrollment officials should undergo training to ensure they do everything possible to capture the best biometric sample. Training elements should include:

  • Proper hardware cleaning: It is critical that the biometric capture device is cleaned after each use to ensure the highest quality of fingerprint be taken. The Suprema RS-D and G10 capture surface can be cleaned using basic sanitary wipe. *Note please check with your biometric manufacturer before performing any cleaning activities as some biometric hardware requires specialized cleaning materials. Therefore, the enrollment officer should be trained to clean the hardware device properly.
  • Hardware and user positioning: Equally as important as device cleanliness is the positioning of the fingers or IRIS capture camera when the user’s biometrics are being acquired. The enrollment official should show the user how to best position their fingers during the capture phase. If using an IRIS capture camera, extra care should be taken to ensure the user’s eyes are aligned properly with the IRIS capture device.
  • Software scoring feedback: Modern biometric enrollment systems provide a score quality after the biometric is acquired. The enrollment officer should be trained on the acceptable thresholds.
  • Testing and validation: The biometric system should be set up to force the enrollment officer to test the biometrics that were captured. For example, after the biometric acquisition, the user then scans their biometric to be matched with the sample that was enrolled to simulate the verification process. If this testing fails, the enrollment officer should be trained to recapture the biometrics and perform the testing process again until the validation is successful.
  • Fail to capture scenarios: Capturing usable biometrics from users is sometimes challenging or impossible. In these cases, the enrollment officer should be taught to recognize the cases where biometrics cannot be captured and instructed on how to properly document the reason why.

Biometric Technologies

Biometric hardware

The elements are the hardware that physically acquires the biometric data from the user.

Biometric modality options

  1. Fingerprint: The Suprema RS-D two print capture device provides a fast and portable means to capture fingerprints. This hardware is very easy to maintain and offers built-in scoring and segmentation features to make the entire fingerprint capture process fast.

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  1. IRIS: The ICAM TD100 IRIS capture device is lightweight and allows for extremely advanced acquisition of IRIS biometrics.

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IDMS/Enrollment software

The enrollment software guides the operator through the biometric acquisition process. It works with the biometric hardware to capture, segment and score the biometric data. Once complete, it provides a way to securely transmit the biometric data to the Credential Management System (CMS) where it will be encoded onto the user’s credential.

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Credential Management System (CMS)

The CMS is responsible for taking the biometric data and encoding it in the PIV Card. The biometric data acquired during the enrollment process will be sent to the card via the CMS.

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PIV-Compliant Smart Card Credential

The PIV Card is the final data storage location for the biometric data. All PIV certified cards have a storage location for biometric data. The CMS will inject the biometric data into the card where it can be used later for verification.

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Implementation Steps

1) Publish the updated privacy policy

Ensure the latest of the privacy policy is published to a location where all people receiving a credential can access it.

2) Document the issuance model

Determine where in the process the biometric data will be acquired. From here, update the issuance flow processes, procedures, and training materials.

3) Perform enrollment officer training

Provide training courses for enrollment officers. Ensure each officer has been given the adequate knowledge for ensuring biometric data is captured in accordance with enterprise policies.

4) Install and configure the technologies

  1. Configure the CMS card policy to include biometrics
  2. Install the biometric hardware and enrollment suite
  3. Link the biometric platform to the CMS
  4. Configure the biometric enrollment policies
  5. Perform the biometric enrollment
  6. Encode the credential

Conclusion

Biometrics add a level of security that can truly help organizations withstand the latest cyber-attacks and even can add operational efficiencies when planned properly. If you have an existing PIV-C issuance platform or even starting from scratch, adding biometrics can be simple and is well worth the investment. If you have wanted to know more about how biometrics or even PIV-C can be implemented in your enterprise, go here. If you want to see a virtual demonstration, send us an email to sales@cyberarmed.com.

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