US releases draft report on first responder authentication

The US government's National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) has released a draft report: ‘NIST Interagency or Internal Report (NISTIR) 8334, Using Mobile Device Biometrics for Authenticating First Responders’.

Many public safety organisations (PSOs) are adopting mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to provide first responders with immediate access to the sensitive information they need from any location. However, authentication requirements meant to safeguard that information, like entering a complex password, can hinder access.

Many PSOs are looking towards mobile biometric solutions to authenticate users efficiently. Before adopting these solutions, PSOs must make informed risk decisions on their use and deployment. This report examines how first responders could use mobile device biometrics in an authentication system and what challenges they may face in deploying these systems.

This report was developed in a joint partnership between the NCCoE and the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division at NIST.

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