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Defense biometrics identification system coming to Scott

  • Published
  • By 375th Communications Group
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill --  Physical security describes the measures that prevent or deter attackers from accessing a facility, resource or information stored on physical media. It can be as simple as a locked door or as elaborate as multiple layers of security personnel. 

Scott will implement a program designed to add another layer of physical security protection Oct. 14. 

Defense Biometrics Identification System is a DoD-owned and operated system developed by the Defense Manpower Data Center as a force protection program to manage personnel, property and installation access at DoD installations. 

The core function of DBIDS is in the data repository where your identity data (to include biometrics) is stored. The entire system is a networked client/server database system designed to easily verify the access authorization of personnel entering military installations. 

It accomplishes access authorization through the use of barcode technology currently on our Geneva Convention credentials and by biometric (fingerprint) identification. It can capture personnel identities, vehicle information, privately owned weapons, pets and bikes or mopeds. 

One of DBIDS's greatest attributes is the ability to detect an invalid identification. With biometrics enabled, identities are confirmed despite the best attempts to utilize fake credentials. 

In Europe, DBIDS is called Installation Access Control System. According to U.S. Northern Command, IACS has denied access approximately 48,000 times (out of 6 million scans) per month in 2007 for things like expired cards, barred from base, not authorized on base and others. 

"Military members in Iraq and Afghanistan are checking visitors and workers using biometrics and have been able to detain terrorists when fingerprints matched those found on an improvised explosive device," said U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Frank Lugo, Deputy Chief of Force Protection and Mission Assurance Division at NORTHCOM. "Combined with other security measures, biometrics has fast become the preferred solution to controlled access." 

"We know there are unscrupulous individuals who are duplicating the Common Access Card now," said Bob Frees, Biometrics Lead Command. "Our intent is to make it harder and harder to fake an identity or use someone else's card." 

By verifying identity electronically in addition to visual inspection, security personnel can be assured that the credentials are valid and belong to the proper owner. 

During installation, Scott CAC cardholders will be pre-loaded to allow initial access; however, they will need to enroll in DBIDS to maximize functionality. Registration will occur as individuals renew their CAC cards to minimize impact to the base populace. 

Once fielded, Scott will focus on non-CAC card holders that visit Scott first. Visitors, vendors and temporary access passes will be replaced by DBIDS cards and passes.
Eventually, all CAC holders and Teslin card holders (i.e., dependents & retiree ID cards) will be loaded into DBIDS. This will continue until every person visiting or working on Scott AFB is registered and screened prior to being granted base access to the base. 

So what does this mean for the typical Scott AFB employee? 

For individuals working on base and who already are CAC cardholders, the only difference will be entry control members will use a handheld biometrics scanner on every ID to validate their credentials for entry to the base rather than just performing a visual inspection. 

The average time for this scan is three seconds which is about the time it currently takes the entry control member to visually inspect identification cards. 

The scanner connects wirelessly to a database which verifies credentials. It also connects with law enforcement databases and conducts a real-time background check to determine if there are outstanding warrants on individuals entering the base. If so, the entry control member knows instantly. 

In the future, DBIDS will maintain personnel and benefit information for more than 18 million DoD CAC holders and countless visitors. In the near future, recruits entering the Air Force will register in DBIDS as they enter basic training. 

The long term Air Force goal is to interconnect every Air Force installation into one integrated system that enhances physical security for all Air Force bases.