WASHINGTON, July 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. government Thursday approved Lockheed Martin as a supplier for the federal HSPD-12 biometric identification program.
The HSPD-12, or Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12, program orders the creation of an ID card for federal workers that contains a computer chip packed with fingerprint images and other specific data that ensures the owner is who that person claims to be.
The program is aimed at tightening security at federal facilities.
"When it comes to allowing access to key government resources and infrastructure, the bar cannot be set too high," said Lockheed Vice President Carlaine Blizzard. "Lockheed Martin's solution rests on reliable, sophisticated identification and access management technology that can be deployed quickly in order to meet the HSPD- 12 deadline."
Lockheed has past experience in managing such information; the company designed and maintains the FBI's huge IAFIS fingerprint databank and the Verified Identity Pass ID system at the Orlando airport.
Lockheed recently demonstrated the new BioUnique Identity Framework for the General Services Administration, which maintains federal buildings across the nation. The company said in a news release that the system accurately identified cardholders and maintained an electronic paper trail of each card issued.
The company can now begin making plans with individual agencies for BioUnique's deployment.
