BIOMETRICS
DIGITAL POLICING James Stickland comments on the rise of cyber crime and terrorism, and how a standardised biometric database can greatly stem this tide
IS A STANDARDISED BIOMETRIC DATABASE THE KEY TO CRIME PREVENTION?
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key message that came out of a recent National Police Chief Commissioner (NPCC) meeting is that cyber crime is growing – not just in the UK but on a global scale. It is estimated that $10 billion will be spent on cyber security globally by 2027 in order to combat the rising tide of threats. Almost every crime today has a digital footprint, including escalating terrorist related incidents, thus it is essential that improving digital policing services is given the highest priority. However, in England and Wales, the number of officers dropped 15 per cent between 2010 and- 2018, and despite £970 million in police funding, key figures are concerned that it remains insufficient to adequately protect citizens. In the face of increasingly dangerous and frequent threats, police departments must be well equipped. Police forces should look to take advantage of the latest technology amidst
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COUNTER TERROR BUSINESS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 42
limited resources, to enable officers to perform their job more efficiently. Biometric technologies such as facial recognition and fingerprint analysis are widely being regarded as an innovative solution for digital policing to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated cyber crime and terrorist related incidents, whilst keeping costs low. As the threat of terrorism increases across Europe, with Britain worst affected, remotely authenticating potential offenders will be hugely beneficial for police forces. Standardising biometric databases across the UK and Europe can empower officers to quickly identify terrorists and, critically, help stop attacks before they happen. With recent concerns over UK terrorists being released from prison and committing further offences – whether here or abroad – biometric authentication could prove invaluable in providing an international
