Biometrics-based security techniques - identification and verification using human characteristics and behavioural traits such as fingerprint and iris recognition - are playing an increasingly important role in securing information systems and physical assets, both in government and industrial contexts, especially in the aftermath of recent terrorist attacks, identity theft and internet-based fraud. There will be a long-term need for expert professionals trained to a high level in order to meet the rising market demand.

Research in biometrics has been affected by the lack of assessment tools and in particular the limited availability of public databases. Indeed accuracy evaluation of biometric algorithms is highly related to measuring statistics of errors on databases, which should be as large as possible. But, acquiring databases is very costly and constrained by data privacy rules. Moreover evaluation on proprietary databases does not allow any comparison between different algorithms. There is therefore a need of ressources for improving research innovation and education in the biometric domain.

The major role of "Association BioSecure” (BioSecure Foundation) is to maintain and distribute the major outcomes of the BioSecure FP6 Network of Excellence that lasted from June 2004 to September 2007.

It will provide to the biometric R&D community, resources such as:

• Evaluation platforms including databases, reference systems (baseline algorithms), assessment protocols for a variety of well-established modalities (face, on-line signature, fingerprints, hand shape, iris).

• Educational material (repository of texts and presentations related to different assets of biometrics)

• Handbook on Standards providing updated information on standardisation activities

Access to these resources is restricted to the members of the Association (see how to join).

The "Association BioSecure" (BioSecure Foundation) is a non-profit organisation legally established in France in accordance with the law of 1st July 1901, and registered in Paris. The Association is hosted by "Institut TELECOM" formerly known as "Groupe des Ecoles de Télécommunications", the institution that led the EU-FP6 BioSecure network of excellence. At present, the Board of the Association BioSecure is made up of Bernadette Dorizzi (Institut TELECOM) acting as President, Farzin Deravi (University of Kent) acting as Vice-President and Jean-Paul Lefèvre (ARCHES) acting as Treasurer and Secretary.

This site replaces the old website dedicated to the FP6 BioSecure Project.