A representative from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says adoption of blockchain in biometrics would improve security in the travel sector.

A news report by the travel industry media outlet Skift on March 21^st took note of blockchain adoption in biometrics. It emphasized that the use of blockchain to hasten biometrics tracking would be seen as a technical achievement that would improve security concerns in the travel industry. This is, according to a representative from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency.

The report was compiled after a panel meeting at the JetBlue Technology Ventures Blockchain in Travel Summit in New York City on Wednesday when Sikina Hasham, the program manager at the CBP, commented on the issue.

By responding to a question posted by David, one of the panel moderators, Hasham, who is the managing director for IBM Blockchain Ventures, stated that biometrics was an area of interest that the government should keep an eye in regards to blockchain investing. She said:

One area we’ve seen a significant amount of success in is facial comparison and biometric data. There is a service we’ve created to verify who an individual boarding an aircraft who is as they’re seeking admission into the United States. If we could have more data for the verification from another government party, that would be really great for us.”

While highlighting the need to have organizations utilizing blockchain systems communicate in oneness, she insisted that the development of a standard specification would aid in the matter as the push for blockchain and its adoption in biometrics gains traction.

According to Hasham, implementing blockchain by governments instead of legacy databases, or sharing data within specified security areas such as border control would require comprehensive improvements of standards within the entire industry. Hasham also noted another problem that the government is reportedly handling by saying that:

Our primary goal is security, but also facilitating trade and travel. Blockchain is relatively new for us […] in the travel space, we are still working on figuring out how industry stakeholders in the technology space will help us. […] Privacy and decentralized information are some of the challenges we as a government organization have a legal obligation to protect.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly seeking out startups with the capacity to develop blockchain solutions. According to a news report appearing at Cointelegraph, the need to help prevent forgery of digital documents sets in motion the mission needs of various programs under aegis, amongst them, CBP.

So far, CBP has been testing out blockchain shipment tracking systems with the aim of realizing the potential such technology presents. The trials will be able to tell just how much the technology is able to enhance the verification process of certificates originating from various free trade agreement partners.

Linking of blockchain with biometrics is under development and multiple applications are already conducting round tests. The technology is already making headlines in municipal elections, security of ATMs and Internet of Things biometric devices especially in the healthcare sector.