Paul Cross

Paul Cross: Thoughts as the former Head of the Border User Group, on the 20-year anniversary of the Institute

Congratulations to the Biometrics Institute for 20 years of providing leadership and advice to all stakeholders associated with biometric technology.

For 20 years the Institute has provided access to global expertise on biometrics from the technical, academic, privacy and user perspectives, as well as unparalleled networking opportunities for professionals who are involved with this technology.

For me this is an opportunity to reflect on what I have gained from my association with the Institute over 10 years. In my time with the Institute, I have been a member of the Border User Group and of the Future Directions Group, I have acted as a Director from 2011-2015 and from September 2020, have presented at 25 events, and attended some 95 different Institute events!

Imagine what you learn from attending 95 industry events on biometrics, and from all the many papers, presentations and discussions the Institute has organised, that have involved the very best experts and authorities on biometric technology from around the world.

It’s important to also acknowledge the value we all get from the Expert and Sector Groups that the Institute maintains. Much of that value is hard to quantify. These groups produce papers and products for members that explain important concepts and that help us to maximise the benefits and manage the risks that accompany the use of this technology. They are also invaluable information sharing opportunities, where members with similar interests get to talk about their challenges and their successes, and inevitably, members continue to interact offline to focus further on areas of common interest.

I remember when we started the Border User Group (or BUG), in July 2015. It was at a time when many countries were planning or developing major biometric capabilities and programs to better manage their borders, and all were facing similar challenges. From 13 members in June 2016, the BUG grew to 27 members in June 2017 representing different agencies from a range of countries, and it formed a professional biometrics international network that still thrives today.

The Future Directions Group (FDG) was formed in June 2019, as a group of dedicated industry-watchers with different backgrounds and a shared interest in monitoring developments that will shape our future. This group works hard to produce various thought leadership products, including the annual State of Biometrics Report covering the important events and developments each year, explaining their impacts and predicting where we are headed next. My favourite part of FDG meetings is a roundtable discussion on ‘what’s new, what’s different?’ where we each share insights into the latest developments, explore what is behind them and what implications they have for all of us.

The Biometrics Institute has certainly been a huge success and I wish the Institute the very best for the next 20 years as well.                         

Paul Cross
Director, Biometrics Institute and former Head of the Borders User Group
+61 (2) 9911 7551
paul.cross@sita.aero
SITA were a Founding Member in Europe

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