Biometric database offers security stamp of approval

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Matkin
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Members of the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here ensure the security of base personnel and resources by using a Department of Defense advanced security system designed to track the movement third country nationals who work on base.

Defense Biometrics Identification System is an enhanced security system that uses biometrics to monitor entry control points to installations, said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Cunningham, the 379th ESFS NCO in charge of DBIDS. 

Biometric data includes both physical and nonphysical attributes including name, age, height, fingerprints, address, telephone number, e-mail address, birthplace, nationality, education level and group affiliations.

"More than 1,600 TCNs enter the base daily and there is no way of knowing their backgrounds or potential involvement in extremist organizations, Sergeant Cunningham said. "DBIDS builds a database which allows for the storage of all this information." 

Third country nationals help keep the base populace fed and perform a myriad of other duties. This group of employees is entrusted with jobs that affect the lives of more than 9,000 servicemembers assigned here.

Data collection for DBIDS begins when a person is hired by a unit or organization on base. If the person does not possess a common access card, they must process through DBIDS and be cleared to work on the installation. Only after the proper clearance are they issued an access badge, said Sergeant Cunningham who is deployed from Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.

To obtain a badge, TCNs must be fingerprinted and photographed, and have other biometric data collected, said Senior Airman Michael Thompson, a 379th ESFS DBIDS registrar. 

"This can sometimes pose challenges since many of them fear the information collected will be used to keep them under surveillance," he said, referring to the sweaty hands and nervousness of the TCNs. "This can make it difficult to obtain good fingerprints."

Airman Thompson said a little creativity comes in handy during times like this. 

"Sometimes it's as simple as asking an English-speaking TCN to provide a reassuring message to calm someone down," said the Seattle native.

"The language barrier can be a challenge in and of itself," Sergeant Cunningham said. None of the DBIDS registrars speak foreign languages so they have had to find alternate means to communicate. Besides using other TCNs to translate, the security forces team has learned to overcome this challenge by using helpful nonverbal communication, such as simple hand gestures.

"All of the challenges we face can be resolved by just treating them like we would want to be treated," Airman Thompson said. "It is important to treat them professionally and with respect."

Once the challenges have been over-come and the required data is collected, it is uploaded to the DOD Biometric Fusion Center, located in West Virginia. This center maintains an archive of DBIDS data from military installations worldwide that use this system.

"The BFC runs the data we provide them against different law enforcement systems, such as the FBI wanted list," Sergeant Cunningham said. "If the applicant passes the security checks, we will receive approval from the center to process the applicant's badge."

"The badges allow us to monitor the TCNs since they scan in and out each day through DBIDS," Sergeant Cunningham said. "When a TCN enters an entry control point, the badge is scanned and the guard is provided personal information which allows for verification of the person's identity. This process makes it impossible for a TCN to use a stolen badge.

"The access badges are a huge improvement in force protection by adding a degree of automation to the entry control process," Sergeant Cunningham said. "This reduces the chance of an unauthorized individual gaining access to the base and takes out the human error and potential counterfeit activity that can occur through visual scans."

Sergeant Cunningham said this improvement in force protection is increased by the real-time update capability of DBIDS. If a TCN commits an infraction requiring detainment, this information will appear on the person's badge and security forces will be notified, he said.

"We had an instance where the Office of Special Investigations informed us of a TCN in possession of an external memory drive. We were able to stop him before he left the base since all TCNs are required to scan prior to entering or exiting," said Senior Airman Juan Ramirez, who is deployed from Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.

If a TCN commits an infraction restricting base access, that person is processed back through DBIDS where the information is updated and entered into the system.

To add yet another layer of security to the badge, they are color-coded red, yellow, blue and white. Red badges mean the TCN has been cleared for work, but requires an escort. Blue and white badges mean they are clear for work and do not require an escort. Yellow badges are temporary visitors' passes that are currently good for 30 cumulative days per year; however, Sergeant Cunningham said yellow badges will no longer be issued after Aug. 16.

Knowing who is on the installation at all times and having a biometric system that tracks TCNs allows for increased protection of every servicemember and asset on base, said Airman Ramirez, a native of Laredo, Texas. 

"It should give peace of mind to everyone working on base that the TCNs cooking their food and cleaning their facilities have been screened and cleared with the DBIDS stamp of approval," he said.