India Preparatory Meeting:
Biometrics and Data Protection
RISE Conference Presentations – India, 24 September 2009
1. Mr. Emilio Mordini, Coordinator, Project RISE – Introduction to the Theme of the
Conference
emilio.mordini@cssc.eu
This presentation introduces the theme of biometrics and data protection by discussing the EC’s
framework programmes on research, development and technology and listing several projects and
conferences that address the impact of biometric technology. The features of surveillance
technologies are explored, and both conventional biometrics and new emerging biometric
applications are considered. The overview also questions the concepts of identity and human
recognition. Finally, the presentation considers whether biometrics can be liberating and perhaps
even improve global justice.
2. Kush Wadhwa, Managing Director, Global Security Intelligence – Panel on Differences and
Commonalities – Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
kwadhwa@globalseci.com
This presentation introduces the panel discussion on the differences and commonalities regarding
biometrics and data protection amongst Asia, Europe and the U.S. The key themes covered by the
panel include data protection, the emergence of the “surveillance society,” and the pervasiveness of
biometrics. This introduction emphasizes the importance of biometrics and security ethics given the
potential scope of its impact and high-levels of risk. Several questions regarding the current and
future state of surveillance technologies are also posed for discussion by the panel.
3.
Mr. Sundeep Nehra, Sr. Director, Deloitte - Biometric Systems & Privacy Concerns
(**This presentation had no name. I am guessing that it belong to Mr. Nehra from
Deloitte.)
snehra@deloitte.com
This presentation provides an overview of biometrics, privacy concerns, and best practices. Data
collected using biometric technology can be gathered from a multitude of sources, including a
person’s appearance, social behavior, bio-dynamics, physiography and features. Because most of
that data can be considered highly sensitive, privacy concerns must be addressed. One way to do
this is to implement best practices that put the user in control of protecting their own data. The
presentation concluded with an illustration of Deloitte’s risk-based approach to privacy and data
protection.
4. Kamlesh Bajaj, CEO, Data Security Council of India (DSCI) - DSCI and Data Protection
kamlesh.bajaj@dsci.in
This presentation discusses data protection and regulation compliance in India. The protection of
sensitive data is a top business priority, as clients from around the world are outsourcing to IT/BPO
service providers in India. To safeguard sensitive information, the government has enacted new laws
that promote a stronger data protection regime through the implementation of reasonable security
practices. The industry has responded by creating the Data Security Council of India as a selfregulatory organization to promote best practices for security and privacy. These practices will also
be applicable in addressing the data protection challenges in the domestic marketplace, since the
increasing pervasiveness of IT has changed the personal and social landscape in India resulting in
new concerns regarding privacy. This presentation provides an overview of the amendments that
affect privacy protection in India, as well as the DSCI privacy principles and data security practices.
5. Zia Saquib, Executive Director, CDAC Mumbai - Controlled Identity Revelation
saquib@cdacmumbai.in
This presentation was included under a panel discussing case studies on the secure & privacy
enhancing use of biometrics (e.g., Banking, e-Passports, and National IDs). Mr. Saquib acknowledges
that identification is a sensitive issue, and presents several ideas for implementing privacy
enhancing biometrics. The presentation concluded with a case study discussion of the b-SID
(Seafarer’s Identification Document), implemented by India’s Ministry of Shipping.
6. Nandita Jain Mahajan, Chief Privacy & Information Security Officer, IBM India/South Asia
and Nalini K. Ratha Ph.D., Research Staff Member, Exploratory Computer Vision Group,
IBM T.J. Watson Research Center Biometrics in IT/ITes Organizations: Application, Challenges, and Recent Research
nandita.jain.mahajan@dc.ibm.com
ratha@us.ibm.com
This presentation discusses biometrics technology and applications in IT/ITes organizations. After
introducing emerging biometrics applications and providing an overview of biometrics systems
architecture, several questions are posed: Is there a technology that provides adequate safeguards
to our data? Can one biometric technology satisfy certain defined key attributes, such as
universality, uniqueness, and acceptability? How do we best address large throughput volumes?
The presentation also considers which available biometrics might be best integrated and discusses
the privacy issues that may be introduced as a result. The presentation concludes with several
examples of biometric research and applications, including SmartCard fingerprint identification,
dynamic signature recognition, and conversational biometrics.