The recently introduced national occupational standards (NOS) for the fast-growing UK human identity and biometrics industry have won vital support from BSI.
BSI, a global independent business services organisation providing standard-based solutions in over 120 countries, is working to help define the key professional and quality assurance needs in an industry that now has an estimated value of over £250m.
Mike Low, director of standards at the BSI, said: 'BSI has been working on the development of technical biometrics standards for several years, providing tools to support interoperability and simplify integration.
“Biometrics standards can make a vital contribution to the increasingly important issue of personal and national security and BSI is delighted to have shared our expertise in the development of these occupational standards by Skills for Security and its partners.'
Following a presentation by Human Recognition Systems’ CEO Neil Norman at an event set up by leading UK technology trade association Intellect, senior executives from some of the UK’s leading high tech and biometric organisations also pledged their support for the standards.
Neil Norman said: “Biometric technology is growing at an incredible pace in the UK and globally - analysts are now predicting 20% growth between now and 2012.
“The introduction of National Occupational Standards into our industry is a landmark step – it’s vital that everyone has a clear set of vocational guidelines and BSI’s support has been crucial.”
Skills for Security - the sector skills body for the security industry - spearheaded the introduction of NOS in June, with key contributions from Human Recognition Systems, OmniPerception and Core Systems and consultation with over 100 industry specialists, including The Home Office, members of the Intellect Association for Biometrics (IAfB) and the University of Kent.
