Security Mechanisms and Access Control Infrastructure for Biometrics Passport using Cryptographic Protocols

Electronic passports (e-passports) are to prevent the illegal entry of traveller into a specific country and limit the use of counterfeit documents by more accurate identification of an individual. The e-passport, as it is sometimes called, represents a bold initiative in the deployment of two new technologies: cryptography security and biometrics (face, fingerprints, palm prints and iris). A passport contains the important personal information of holder such as photo, name, date of birth and place, nationality, date of issue, date of expiry, authority and so on. The goal of the adoption of the electronic passport is not only to expedite processing at border crossings, but also to increase security. The paper explores the privacy and security implications of this impending worldwide experiment in biometrics authentication technology.