“IBIS is a significant step forward with regard to the use of biometrics internationally, in that it provides for identification verification of subjects from different countries without sharing of biometric information between those countries,” said Bob Kocher, CEO of I3. “Privacy and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) disclosure are top-of-mind issues these days with respect to biometric use, and we specifically wanted to find a way to address that concern with IBIS.”

IBIS is a system and method for international biometric identity verification between two countries, without transferring biometric information between the two countries. It will replace the traditional approach of identification via uniforms and identification cards, which can be easily compromised, into a more secure approach of leveraging biometric information through a person’s identity. This approach is consistent with the policy of not sharing any biometric information relating to verification of identification of individuals with other countries.

“We imagine applications where partner nations, working in international assistance, humanitarian, and even military operations domains, can rapidly and securely vet individuals from other countries biometrically, without compromising that individual’s personal information,” Kocher said.