Transportation 

Security 

Administration 

TSA BIOMETRICS ROADMAP

For Aviation Security & the Passenger Experience 

September 2018 
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TABLE

OF CONTENTS 

Letter from the Administrator 3

Executive Summary 4

I. Purpose & Scope 5

II. Strategic Drivers 6

III. Biometrics Vision 7

IV. Goals & Objectives 8

Goal 1: Partner with CBP on Biometrics for International Travelers 10

Goal 2: Operationalize Biometrics for TSA Pre® Travelers 12

Goal 3: Expand Biometrics to Additional Domestic Travelers 14

Goal 4: Develop Supporting Infrastructure for Biometric Solutions 16

V. Guiding Principles 18

VI. Moving Forward 20

Appendix A: Terms & Acronyms 21

Appendix B: Strategic Alignment 22

Appendix C: Stakeholders Consulted 23
LETTER

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR 

I am proud to present the Transportation Security Administration’s 

Biometrics Roadmap for Aviation Security and the Passenger 

Experience. This document will guide our efforts to modernize aviation 

passenger identity verification over the coming years.

The Roadmap aligns with and supports the 2018-2026 TSA Strategy I 

announced earlier this year in several ways. It defines clear pathways 

to improve security, safeguard the Nation’s transportation system, 

and accelerate the speed of action through smart investments and 

collaborative partnerships.

To achieve the vision, goals, and objectives outlined in the Biometrics Roadmap, 

TSA will leverage innovative biometric concepts and solutions that will enhance 

security effectiveness, improve operational efficiency, and yield a consistent, 

streamlined passenger experience in coordination with our aviation security 

partners.

In addition to addressing key operational needs, implementing the Biometrics 

Roadmap will secure TSA’s position as a global leader in aviation security and 

advance global transportation security standards.

I want to thank everyone at TSA, our interagency partners, and industry 

stakeholders – including airlines, airports, and solution providers – who provided 

input to develop this document. It represents the beginning of an important and 

exciting conversation that I look forward to continuing with you as we execute the 

TSA Biometrics Roadmap.

David P. Pekoske 

Administrator 

Transportation Security Administration
A biometrics capability, built with strategic partners, that enhances aviation security, streamlines operations, and simplifies 

the user experience. 

Biometrics for International 

Travelers 

Objective 1.1: Prove 

Operational Feasibility 

Objective 1.2: Develop 

lnteragency Policies and 

Procedures 

Objective 1.3: Simplify and 

Streamline Operations 

Travelers 

Objective 2.1: Update TSA 

Pre ® Data Holdings 

Objective 2.2: Modernize the 

TSA Pre ® Passenger 

Experience 

Objective 3.1 : Perform 

Business Case Analysis for 

Domestic Traveler Biometrics 

Objective 3.2: Evaluate 

Biometric Solutions for 

Domestic Travelers 

Objective 3.3: Effectively Use 

Existing and Avai lable Traveler 

Data 

Objective 3.4: Establish 

Partnerships to Implement 

Scalable Solutions 

Goal 4: Develop Supporting 

Infrastructure for Biometric 

Solutions 

Objective 4.1: Develop, 

Maintain, and Manage to a 

Strategic Roadmap 

Objective 4.2: Integrate 

Capabilities with DHS and 

Industry Partners 

Objective 4.3: Capture 

Requirements and Standards 

for Industry 

Objective 4.4: Implement 

Assessment Processes 

Guiding Principles: Security Effectiveness & Operational Efficiency, Privacy, Cyber Security, OHS Unity of Effort, Public-Private 

Partnerships, Usability, Passenger Experience, Interoperability, and Adaptability 

Executive Summary

Identity verification is a cornerstone of TSA’s

operational landscape in the commercial aviation 

sector. In order to meet the challenges of evolving 

security threats, rising air travel volumes, resource 

constraints, and limits on operational footprint, 

TSA and aviation security regulators around the 

globe must look to automate manual and paperbased identity verification processes through 

smart technology investments. The TSA 

Biometrics Roadmap lays out a practical approach 

to leverage biometric technologies to improve 

security effectiveness and operational efficiency 

while also enhancing the passenger experience.

TSA is stepping into the biometric solution space 

at an ideal time to capitalize on technological 

advancements in biometric system accuracy, 

speed, and ability to automate high-throughput 

operations. Additionally, traveler sentiment toward 

biometric technologies, when coupled with the 

appropriate privacy safeguards, has evolved 

toward appreciation for the enhanced security and 

efficiency they can provide.

The TSA Biometrics Roadmap incorporates 

feedback gathered during more than forty targeted 

engagements with aviation security leaders from 

airlines, airports, and solution providers. Feedback 

was also gathered from key government 

stakeholders, including TSA internal offices, DHS 

headquarters and operational Components.

The Roadmap articulates a collaborative biometric 

vision for TSA and its aviation security partners in the 

context of an overall identity verification and 

management approach. The vision is achievable 

through the alignment and parallel advancement of 

four goals and associated objectives. The TSA 

Biometrics Roadmap describes the “what” and the 

“why” of TSA’s biometric approach. Implementation 

plans will be developed to describe the “who, when, 

and how.” Implementation of each goal and 

associated objectives will be shaped by a set of clear 

guiding principles listed in Figure 1.

FIGURE 1 TSA Biometrics Vision, Goals, and Objectives

4 BIOMETRICS ROADMAP
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Population Location 

• Av1at1on Passengers • Check-in 

International • Bag Drop 

TSA Pre • • Checkpoint 

Domestic • Gate 

Aviation Workers (including 

cargo workers) 

FAMS/LEOs 

Known Crew Members 

TSA HQ Employees/ Visitors 

Airport Vendor Employees 

Employee Access 

Control Areas 

Cargo Drop-off Areas 

I. Purpose & Scope

This document articulates an approach for TSA 

to leverage biometric solutions to increase 

security effectiveness while also improving 

operational efficiency and the passenger 

experience. Due to the growing volume of 

commercial aviation passengers TSA screens – 

more than two million per day – this initial 

release of the TSA Biometrics Roadmap is 

focused on verifying aviation passenger identity 

using biometrics per TSA’s authorities under 

applicable laws and regulations including the 

Aviation and Transportation Security Act 

(Section 109 (a)(7)). As appropriate, 

passenger-centric solutions can be extended to 

other key groups such as aviation workers, law 

enforcement officers, and known crew members.

Facial recognition has long been TSA’s

modality of choice in aviation security

operations. Today, TSOs and airline 

employees manually compare the

passenger in front of them to their photo

ID. The TSA Biometrics Roadmap seeks to 

leverage facial recognition technology to

automate that process to enhance security 

effectiveness, improve operational

efficiency, and streamline the passenger

experience.

TSA will continue to use facial images as the 

primary means of identity verification for aviation 

security screening. Facial recognition 

capabilities will be automated to improve the 

performance and security of TSA operations by 

increasing assurance of traveler identity beyond 

what travel documents alone can provide. 

Meanwhile, fingerprints will continue to serve as 

the primary biometric modality for trusted 

traveler and other credentialed enrollments and 

security threat assessments. 

Over time, multi-modal approaches may help 

further increase the accuracy, security, and 

scalability of TSA operations.

FIGURE 2 Scope of TSA Biometrics Roadmap

Today, facial recognition provides TSA with several key 

benefits. Facial recognition systems can be self-service, 

facilitative and incorporate anti-tampering 

countermeasures, enabling TSA and aviation security 

partners to reduce reliance on physical travel 

documents and manual inspection. Facial recognition 

benefits from the wide availability of high-performance, 

low-cost, and commercially available camera systems 

that could be extended, in collaboration with aviation 

security partners, across the entire passenger 

experience from reservation to boarding.

Additionally, Federal and state identity document 

issuance organizations already collect facial images 

which may be generally suitable for facial recognition 

capabilities. Biometric data for fingerprint or iris 

recognition are generally not available for the majority 

of travelers. Facial image standards continue to mature 

and facial data exchange formats are widely adopted 

and used throughout civil aviation for identity verification 

per International Civil Aviation Organization Doc 9303. 

In implementing this biometrics strategy, TSA will 

comply with the requirements of the FAA 

Reauthorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-254 

(2018), including consultation with the Commissioner of 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and preparation of 

a report to the appropriate committees of Congress. As 

mandated in the Act, this report will address privacy 

issues as well as methods used to analyze and address 

errors related to race, gender or age.

BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 

5
__________

II. Strategic Drivers

Biometric technology pilots over the past two years 

have shown the potential for biometrics to close 

capability gaps in current operations. Additionally, 

the conclusions stated in a recent TSA capability 

analysis report further solidified the need to 

establish a comprehensive approach for 

implementing biometric solutions. Recognizing the 

need for TSA to take a more comprehensive 

approach, the Administrator tasked the 

development of the Biometrics Roadmap in April 

2018. Over a three-month period, TSA engaged a 

wide range of stakeholders across DHS 

Headquarters, DHS Operational Components, and 

industry to solicit their input and feedback on the 

development of the TSA Biometrics Roadmap. 

Dialog with interagency partners, airlines, airports, 

and solution providers yielded additional insights 

into the forces driving the adoption of biometrics in 

the commercial aviation sector. TSA’s 

implementation of biometric solutions will take 

shape within the context of these forces and takes 

them into consideration. 

Operational Landscape

To achieve its mission of protecting the Nation’s 

transportation systems to ensure freedom of 

movement for people and commerce, TSA must 

be able to effectively screen individuals seeking 

to board aircraft in the sterile area of U.S. airports. 

Today, TSA and airline partners verify traveler 

identity primarily through the processing of 

biographic data and the inspection of physical 

identity credentials (e.g. license, passport) and 

travel documents (e.g. paper or mobile boarding 

passes) to ensure the passenger presenting 

themselves at the airport is the same person who 

was pre-screened based on biographic data. In 

the near term, TSA will deploy Credential 

Authentication Technology (CAT) 

“A biometric is a measurable physical 

characteristic or personal behavior trait 

used to recognize the identity or verify the 

claimed identity of an individual. The most 

common biometrics in use in the security 

market today include fingerprints, facial 

image, or iris scans.”

- DHS Biometrics Strategic

Framework 2015-2025

to authenticate the security features of passengers' 

ID credentials and allow Transportation Security 

Officers (TSOs) to retrieve passenger pre-screening

status in near-real time. 

Technological Advancement

The pace of change in the biometric marketplace 

continues to accelerate. Once limited to more narrow 

physical access control applications, biometrics have 

gone mainstream. The wider availability of biometric 

matching algorithms and data – particularly facial 

images – has led to an explosion of competition and 

solution offerings. Today, technological solutions for 

biometric verification provide much improved speed 

and accuracy that generally exceed human 

capabilities. TSA’s exploration of biometric solutions 

comes at an ideal time to capitalize on recent 

advances.

Cultural Shift

Travelers increasingly use biometrics, such as 

fingerprint and facial recognition, in their daily lives to

access their mobile devices, apps, and accounts. As 

biometric usage continues to spread throughout the 

consumer market, popular perceptions have evolved 

to appreciate the convenience and security biometric 

solutions can offer in the commercial aviation sector.1 

TSA can take advantage of this trend and adopt 

passenger-friendly solutions that enhance security 

and address traveler demand for self-service options 

that minimize direct interaction with government and 

airline personnel.

6 BIOMETRICS ROADMAP

1 OAG Travel Tech Innovation: Market Report, Evaluating Travelers’ 

Appetite for Adoption
Rising Travel Volume Emerging Business Case

Airlines, airports, and security regulators around Airlines and airports prioritizing their investments 

the globe, like TSA, are faced with an ever-rising have expressed strong interest in streamlining and 

volume of air travelers to facilitate and screen. modernizing the passenger experience from curb-toMeanwhile, personnel staffing growth is flat or gate or even reservation-to-destination. Some 

declining and physical infrastructure/footprint aviation industry stakeholders are leaning forward 

remains relatively static, particularly in airports and submitting security procedure amendments (e.g., 

where capital improvement projects require long for biometric bag drop) while others position 

lead times. If unaddressed, rising travel volume themselves as “fast followers.” TSA will work with 

combined with operational constraints will result willing airlines and airports to explore ways to fully 

in longer wait times and more missed flights. unlock the biometric business case by prioritizing 

Both the aviation industry and the government collaborative partnerships with interagency and 

must look to innovative concepts and industry partners.

technologies, like biometrics, to improve both 

security effectiveness and operational efficiency.

III. Biometrics Vision

TSA will seek to achieve a vision for biometrics that will fundamentally transform security operations and the 

passenger experience across the Nation’s commercial aviation ecosystem.

“A biometrics capability, built 

with strategic partners, that 

enhances aviation security, 

streamlines operations, and 

simplifies the user experience.”
IV. Goals & Objectives

TSA will achieve its biometrics vision for all commercial aviation travelers by advancing four overarching goals 

and associated objectives in parallel. TSA will:

1 Partner with CBP on 

Biometrics for International 

Travelers

2 Operationalize Biometrics for TSA 

Pre® Travelers

3Expand Biometrics to Additional 

Domestic Travelers

4 Develop Supporting Infrastructure 

for Biometric Solutions

8 BIOMETRICS ROADMAP
ID (e.g 

Passport)+ 

Boarding Pass 

(Pnnl) 

Traditional 

TDC 

Highest Friction 

Physical ID (e g 

Passport)+ 

Boarding Pass 

(Mobile) 

Mobile or 

Physical ID + 

Face(1:1) 

Face (1:N) 

Known 

Biometrics + 

CAT 

Medium Friction 

TSA Pre ® Passengers 

Physical ID + 

Boarding Pass (Print) 

Trusted 

Face (1 :N) 

Known 

Supervised 

8 1ometrics 

Lower Friction 

Mobile or 

Physical ID + 

Face (1 1) 

Trusted 

Self-Service 

Biometrics 

Lowest friction 

Physical ID + 

Boarding Pass (Mobile) 

Trusted ~ 

~o .i' 

§' ,,~ ,__<.> 

~ Face (1 N) #-cf Trusted 0() 

c,"<' 

Mobile ID+ 

Face(11) 

(Phasing In) 

Physical ID 

(eg DL)+ 

Boarding 

Pass (Print) 

Physical ID + 

Face (1:1) 

Mobile ID+ 

Face (1:1) 

Face (1 N) 

Known 

Supervised 

Biometrics 

Lower f riction 

Face (1:N) 

Known 

Biometrics + 

CAT Medium Friction 

TSA Checkpoint Identity Verification Technologies 

Physical ID 

(eg DL) + 

Boarding Pass 

(Mobile) 

Traditional 

TDC Highest Friction 

TSA will develop implementation plans to actualize 

each of the goals and objectives in a practical, 

time-bound manner. Implementation plans will 

capture dependencies, owners, stakeholders, and 

detailed plans of action. Recognizing there is no 

turn-key biometric solution for all travelers today, 

TSA and its security partners will take a phased 

approach to implementation that incrementally 

builds upon credential authentication, connectivity, 

and checkpoint technology deployments to 

incorporate biometric identity verification. This

approach will enable TSA and partners to 

iteratively build capability and reduce operational 

overhead in phases by automating manual 

processes, preserving resilient fail-over systems, 

and introducing biometric matching services 

across populations in phases in accordance with 

applicable laws, authorities, and privacy 

considerations.

Through the Secure Flight program, TSA has the 

benefit of knowing which travelers are likely to 

appear at any airport on a given day. This provides 

an opportunity for TSA to use passenger prescreening status to pre-stage biometric data, in this 

1:1 Matching: 

Compares a live image capture of a subject 

(i.e. the passenger) against a single record 

(e.g., his/her passport photo). The record 

may reside on a travel document like a 

passport or in a database.

1:N Matching: 

Compares a live image capture against 

a number (N) of records ranging from a 

subset (e.g., 300 passenger flight) to the 

entire enrolled population in the reference 

database.

case facial images, for verifying passenger identity in 

1:1 and/or 1:N modes of operation. In the case of 

international passengers, TSA can leverage DHS and 

other Federal sources for facial images of foreign 

visitors and U.S. citizen passport holders.

In the future, TSA will be able to use TSA Pre®

enrolled facial images for matching. For the majority 

of travelers who are flying domestic itineraries and do 

not have a passport photo on file, TSA will explore 

innovative opt-in approaches to building biometric 

capabilities consistent with the international and TSA 

Pre® passenger experience as well as applicable 

statutes and privacy protections.

FIGURE 3: Notional Phased Approach to TSA Checkpoint Identity Verification Future State

BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 9
1 Partner with CBP on Biometrics 

for International Travelers

In recent years, CBP has invested significant financial and technical

resources to develop a Biometric Air Exit capability to fulfill Congressional

and Executive branch mandates to biometrically verify the departure 

of foreign nationals from the United States. While CBP and TSA 

requirements will differ in some regards, the Biometric Air Exit program 

offers both operational Components the opportunity to demonstrate DHS 

Unity of Effort and conduct joint operational pilot projects, data collection, 

solution refinement, and data exchange. This effort will also enable TSA

to identify and examine technical, legal, and regulatory issues to consider 

prior to broader deployment.
__________

Objective 1.1: 

Prove Operational Feasibility

TSA and CBP will continue piloting efforts currently 

underway to implement facial recognition for identity 

verification of international travelers transiting TSA

checkpoints.2 TSA and CBP, in coordination with 

Office of Biometrics and Identity Management

(OBIM), will continue to build on recent efforts 

to develop, design, and execute pilot projects at 

checkpoints that automate the Travel Document 

Checker (TDC) process and assist CBP in meeting

Biometric Air Exit requirements. CBP and TSA will 

focus on maturing current pilot projects and 

conducting additional biometric technology pilots at 

locations where airport and airline stakeholders 

have committed to making their own investments to 

streamline the passenger experience using facial 

recognition technology. Travelers will be notified of 

pilot project activities and have the ability to opt-in 

to various biometric procedures. TSA and CBP will 

analyze biometric technology pilot results and refine 

approaches for future efforts.

Objective 1.2: 

Develop Interagency Policies 

and Procedures

Alongside the phased pilot projects, TSA and CBP 

will develop joint policies and standard operating 

procedures for biometric screening of international 

passengers transiting through TSA checkpoints. 

CBP and TSA will work together to develop plans to 

perform biometric exit exception processing, as 

appropriate under CBP and TSA authorities. As 

TSA checkpoints are upgraded to accommodate 

biometric technology, TSA and CBP will work to 

limit any impact to passenger wait times and TSA 

operations. TSA and CBP will develop concepts of 

operation, standard operating procedures, and 

policies related to these efforts for review by 

counsel, privacy officials, and senior leaders of both 

agencies.

Objective 1.3: 

Simplify and Streamline Operations

TSA and CBP will work to integrate similar functions 

and capabilities to enable scaled, automated, and 

streamlined operations in the future. TSA and CBP will 

collaborate with DHS Science & Technology (S&T)

and OBIM to ensure facial matching capabilities are 

optimized for the larger gallery sets needed for 

checkpoint processing. Together, as biometric 

matching continues to mature, TSA and CBP will work 

with OBIM to create an integration roadmap to the 

Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) 

in accordance with DHS guidance and policy. As the 

Congressionally-designated lead provider of biometric 

identity services for DHS, OBIM serves a critical 

function by enabling CBP and TSA missions through 

biometric matching, storing, sharing, and analysis. 

DHS achieves both mission benefit and efficiencies 

through a centralize biometric service provider and 

data store.

2 Joint TSA/CBP Policy on Use of Biometric Technology, signed April 2018

BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 11
2

__________

Operationalize Biometrics for TSA 

Pre®

 Travelers

Today, the TSA Pre® Application Program collects fingerprints from

applicants to conduct criminal history checks as part of its enrollment and 

security threat assessment process. Through this process, TSA can be 

confident in issuing a known traveler number (KTN) to vetted applicants

which they can then provide to an airline during the reservation process, 

receive a boarding pass, and enter the TSA Pre®

 screening lane at 

the airport. Moving forward, TSA Pre® will increase its access to and 

utilization of voluntarily-provided biometric data, including facial images, 

to modernize the trusted traveler experience for TSA Pre® travelers.3

3 In this context, TSA Pre® travelers include all trusted travelers for whom a facial biometric 

image is or will become available, including members of the TSA Pre®

 Application Program, 

members of the CBP Global Entry program, and other trusted traveler populations.
Objective 2.1: 

Update TSA Pre®

 Data Holdings 

In calendar year 2019, the TSA Pre® Application 

Program will transition from single-factor enrollment 

to multi-modal (fingerprints and facial) enrollment for 

new applicants. Additionally, TSA will seek to 

supplement data of currently enrolled TSA Pre®

members and incorporate additional trusted traveler 

populations by leveraging similar systems that are 

also used to enroll and verify traveler identities such 

as State Department passport photos and CBP’s 

Global Entry program. In addition to exploring ways 

to update current data holdings and increase 

enrollment rates, TSA Pre®

 will identify, test, and 

evaluate innovative methods of collecting biometric 

facial images from re-enrollees without sacrificing 

the security and integrity of the program (e.g., more 

mobile technology, expanding in-airport and other 

flexible enrollment access capabilities). TSA will 

integrate

existing biometric holdings and newly-collected 

biometric data with the DHS enterprise biometric 

system of record (IDENT/HART) and gain access to 

additional biometric services in accordance with 

applicable laws, regulations, and policy.

Objective 2.2: 

Modernize the TSA Pre®

Passenger Experience

TSA will go beyond biometric enrollment to further 

secure, facilitate, and enhance the TSA Pre®

passenger experience. In partnership with industry, 

interagency, and intra-departmental partners (e.g., 

DHS S&T), TSA will evaluate alternative concepts of 

operation and technologies for streamlining and 

enhancing the TSA Pre®

 product while ensuring a 

consistent passenger experience across all lanes.

BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 13
3

 

Expand Biometrics to Additional 

Domestic Travelers

TSA will seek new and innovative approaches to extend opt-in biometric 

solutions to the general flying public by exploring a range of options for

enabling a secure, scalable, biometric passenger experience.

Interagency stakeholders, the commercial aviation industry, and 

solution providers have a key role to play in scaling biometric solutions 

to additional passenger populations beyond international outbound and 

trusted travelers.
__________

Objective 3.1: 

Perform Business Case Analysis 

for Domestic Traveler Biometrics

TSA will partner with OBIM and other strategic 

partners to research and evaluate options to secure 

and facilitate travel for non-TSA Pre®

 domestic 

travelers using opt-in biometric capabilities. Many if 

not most of these travelers do not have biometric 

data on file with the U.S. Federal government (e.g., 

a passport photo), posing a unique challenge for 

TSA and its strategic security partners. An 

assessment of authorities, privacy issues, costs, 

tradeoffs, and potential, phased courses of action 

will inform the solution space as TSA assesses 

ways to improve the screening experience for the 

domestic passenger population.

Objective 3.2: 

Evaluate Biometric Solutions for 

Domestic Travelers

TSA will conduct pilot projects and evaluate 

innovative concepts with industry and interagency 

partners (e.g., CBP, DHS S&T, OBIM) including 

token- and token-less solutions.4 TSA will work 

with stakeholders to examine options to leverage 

biometric matching services, such IDENT/HART, for 

matching voluntarily-provided domestic passenger 

facial biometric data consistent with applicable 

policy and authorities.

Additionally, TSA will work with DHS and other 

stakeholders to ensure mobile drivers' licenses 

(mDL) are REAL ID compliant and explore their 

acceptance at aviation security touchpoints across 

the passenger experience. Several state issuance 

authorities have started to securely provision mDL 

onto driver’s mobile devices in addition to issuing a 

physical license. These solutions may include 

biometric data that TSA could leverage for identity 

verification.

Objective 3.3: 

Effectively Use Existing and 

Available Traveler Data

TSA will explore opportunities to more effectively use 

existing information within DHS systems including DHS 

databases (e.g., IDENT/HART), State Department 

passport photos, and solutions that may broker 

verification touchpoints between federal and state

systems. TSA will develop the policy and/or legislative 

case for the necessary authorities to bolster and best 

serve domestic passenger biometric data and usage.

Objective 3.4: 

Establish Partnerships to 

Implement Scalable Solutions

TSA will develop clear pathways to partnership 

and collaboration with strategic aviation security 

stakeholders including airlines, airports, and registered 

traveler program providers. Innovative models of 

public-private partnership will be key to implementing 

scalable and cost-effective solutions. TSA’s approach 

will be informed by CBP’s model for Biometric Air Exit 

by providing vetted industry partners a platform, 

services, and interfaces to adhere to for the purposes 

of improving aviation security.

4 A token is any artifact (e.g., boarding pass, driver’s license, mobile phone) 

used to initiate a biometric operation BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 15
4 Develop Supporting Infrastructure 

for Biometric Solutions

TSA will build the strategic, architectural, policy, requirements, and 

process infrastructure needed to support the multi-pronged 

capability delivery approach outlined in Goals 1-3. In addition to a 

robust requirements and architecture foundation, strategic policy 

and legal alignment will be crucial to achieving the TSA Biometrics 

Vision. TSA will work closely with government and industry 

stakeholders to ensure issues are identified and resolved in a 

consistent and coordinated manner. TSA will avail itself of outside 

expertise as needed and through appropriate channels to protect 

any potential future acquisition activities.
 

AVIATION 

INDUSTRY 

TRANSPORTATION 

SECURITY 

ADMINISTRATION 

DEPARTMENT 

OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

SOLUTION 

PROVIDERS 

Objective 4.1: 

Develop, Maintain, and Manage 

to the Roadmap

In consultation with stakeholders, TSA will lay out 

an integrated implementation plan identifying key 

touchpoints within and between the goal 

workstreams to clearly map out process, technical, 

and policy dependencies. The implementation plan

will align with overarching TSA and DHS strategies 

and guidance as well as the DHS-wide transition to 

enterprise biometric services offered by OBIM's 

HART system.

Objective 4.2: 

Integrate Capabilities with DHS 

and Industry Partners

TSA will identify pathways to appropriately 

leverage existing capabilities and services across 

TSA, DHS, other Federal agencies, and third 

parties to accommodate a variety of front-end 

concepts and solutions. Likewise, TSA will pursue 

a system architecture that promotes data sharing to 

maximize biometric adoption throughout the 

passenger base and across the aviation security 

touchpoints of the passenger experience.

Objective 4.3: 

Capture Requirements and 

Standards for Industry

TSA will work with industry partners to define

requirements, interfaces, and standards for aviation 

security touchpoints across the passenger experience 

(e.g., bag drop, checkpoint) against the backdrop of 

aviation stakeholders’ regulatory obligations to verify 

passenger identity. Solution providers and aviation 

security partners will benefit from consistent

requirements (e.g., for passenger throughput) and 

common standards for accuracy, throughput, data 

exchange, and cybersecurity. Interfaces and standards 

for front-end solutions will enable an extensible, futureproofed architecture to support a variety of concepts 

and processes.

Objective 4.4: 

Implement Assessment Processes 

TSA will identify, develop, and implement standard 

assessment processes for proposed biometric 

solutions. This will enable TSA to quickly evaluate 

security procedure amendments, assess cybersecurity 

posture, develop qualified product/service lists, and 

implement audits and controls to ensure operations 

are compliant with applicable law and policy.

BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 17
 

~

I 

• • 

Reservati on 

KEY 

Areas of Responsibility 

Air Carrier TSA CBP 

V. Guiding Principles

In order to make its biometric vision a reality, TSA 

will adopt the following overarching core principles, 

informed by stakeholder feedback. These principles 

will guide the implementation of the goals and 

objectives.

Security Effectiveness & 

Operational Efficiency

Biometrics offer TSA the rare opportunity to 

increase both security effectiveness and operational 

efficiency simultaneously, disrupting the historical 

trade-off between the two. TSA, in coordination with

security partners, must implement solutions that 

take full advantage of this opportunity while also 

recognizing that identity verification occurs within a 

complex system of systems. Biometrics can enable 

TSA to automate current manual procedures and 

reinvest screening personnel time saved into 

performing other critical security tasks and biometric 

error resolution. In the future, improved screening 

processes may enable TSA to use biometrics to 

retrieve pre-screening information to support TSA 

decisions on the level of screening that passengers 

and their baggage will receive.

Privacy

TSA will adopt a “privacy by design” mindset that 

incorporates privacy considerations into each phase 

of biometric solution development (design, build, 

implement). Privacy protections will include 

restrictions to prevent the use of biometrics for 

purposes other than transportation security unless 

individuals have opted into other uses.

Cybersecurity

Biometric solutions must adhere to robust 

cybersecurity protocols in line with NIST and other 

applicable government information assurance 

standards. Solutions must be designed to secure data 

at rest and in-transit to protect both passengers and 

the integrity of the system across the data lifecycle. 

Capabilities must adhere to existing and evolving DHS 

and TSA security requirements as well as industry 

best practices to enforce cybersecurity compliance. 

DHS Unity of Effort 

TSA must leverage existing relationships, information, 

and programs both internally and across DHS. 

Biometric solutions will build upon the biographic 

backbone of TSA’s current systems such as 

TSA Pre®

, Secure Flight, and CAT as well as the 

connective network and “integration fabric” that 

TSANet and the Security Technology Integration 

Program (STIP) provide today.

Externally, TSA will partner closely with CBP and other 

DHS components to align biometric efforts to the 

overarching DHS Biometrics Framework with the 

ultimate goal of leveraging OBIM’s HART system, the 

successor to IDENT, and the future biometric 

repository and matching service for the Homeland 

Security Enterprise. TSA must also continue to 

deepen its engagement with DHS S&T and utilize 

FIGURE 4 Notional Biometric Passenger Experience Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities 

18 BIOMETRICS ROADMAP
its deep industry knowledge and biometric 

research, development, testing and evaluation 

capabilities to explore innovative concepts and 

technologies prior to field testing or deployment. 

Public-Private Partnership

TSA intends to pursue innovative models of publicprivate partnerships to drive collaboration and coinvestment. Leveraging and strengthening existing 

security partnerships with aviation security 

stakeholders provides the best route to unlocking 

the business case for a biometrically-enabled 

curb-to-gate passenger experience. At the same 

time, TSA and its partners must work to clearly 

articulate public and private sector roles and 

responsibilities in the context of applicable laws 

and regulation.

Usability

Biometric solutions must be highly usable for all 

passengers and operators, taking into account the 

diversity of the traveling public and TSA Officer 

roles. Regardless of physical ability, age, gender, 

skin color, beliefs, disability of medical condition, 

or other characteristics, passengers and TSOs 

should be able to successfully interact with the 

technology or a reasonable alternative concept of 

operations whether in the form of kiosks, fixed 

infrastructure (e.g., e-gates), or mobile solutions. 

TSA and its security partners must be able to 

achieve high-biometric accuracy rates and 

improve overall security effectiveness without a 

disparate and unintended impact on any particular 

group or groups of travelers. Furthermore, usability 

has been shown to be a key driver of overall 

system performance. Usable solutions, engineered 

with human factors and TSO performance in mind, 

will result in higher security effectiveness and 

system performance.

Passenger Experience

Biometrics for aviation security must enable a 

streamlined and consistent passenger experience 

across TSA Pre®

 and Standard lanes for both 

international and domestic travelers. To do so, TSA 

must harmonize its passenger-facing biometric 

capabilities with its mission partners, the aviation 

industry, and global standards with facial recognition 

as the common denominator for the foreseeable 

future.

Interoperability

TSA biometric solutions must be compatible with 

current TSA systems and processes, interoperable 

with mission partner systems (e.g., CBP, OBIM), and 

maximize the use of secure and accessible interfaces 

to facilitate the exchange of biometric data across 

stakeholders. Support for various data types, 

versions, and structures should not favor any 

particular vendor or solution set. Some airlines and 

airports are willing to collect images, transmit data, 

and receive matching results on passenger biometrics 

but may be reluctant to store them due to cost or risk. 

TSA shall support cyber-secure solutions that enable 

the use of passenger biometrics across airlines and 

airports rather than proprietary solutions that may 

require passengers to enroll multiple times.

Adaptability

TSA’s biometric capabilities must adapt to an everevolving security environment. TSA and its security 

partners must develop an integrated architectural 

approach to implement modularized, interoperable, 

and increasingly cost-effective solutions that embrace 

standards, current and evolving infrastructure, and 

innovations while also maintaining a robust 

cybersecurity posture.

The underlying architecture should promote flexibility 

and upgradeability to support an evolving solution 

space, enable future operational pilot projects, and 

allow for downstream data analytics in addition 

to integration of future emerging technologies. 

Additionally, as biometric technology continues to 

improve, TSA may wish to incorporate multi-modal 

biometric verification capabilities to further improve 

accuracy, security, and scalability.

BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 19
VI. Moving Forward

The execution of the TSA Biometrics Roadmap will start by identifying sponsors for the overarching goals 

and corresponding objectives. Ongoing efforts and biometric technology pilots will be aligned and continue 

while implementation plans are developed in consultation with TSA, DHS, Federal, and aviation industry 

stakeholders. This will require the collective support and dedication of all parties to make the TSA 

Biometrics Vision a reality.

20 BIOMETRICS ROADMAP
Acron m 

1:1 

1:N 

HART 

IDENT 

OBIM 

STIP 

One-to-One Matching 

One-to-Many Matching 

Term 

Credential Authentication Technology 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

Department of Homeland Security 

Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology 

Automated Biometric Identification System 

Mobile Driver's License 

Office of Biometrics and Identity Management 

OHS Science & Technology Directorate 

Security Technology Integration Platform 

Travel Document Checker 

Transportation Security Administration 

Transportation Security Officer 

Traveler Verification System 

Appendix A: Terms & Acronyms

BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 21
Document Name 

DHS Biometric Framework 

TSA Strategic Five-Year 

Technology Investment Plan 

(Biennial Refresh) 

TSA Strategy 2018-2026 

CBP Biometrics Strategy, 2016 

DHS 

TSA 

TSA 

CBP 

Strate ic Ali nment 

Organization Sign Date 

June-15 

Dec-17 

Feb-18 

Dec-16 

Appendix B: Strategic Alignment

BIOMETRICS ROADMAP 22
Stakeholder Name 

Department of Homeland Security (OHS) Joint Requirements Council (JR() 

OHS Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management (PARM) 

OHS Science & Technology (S& T) Directorate 

OHS Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) 

TSA Internal Stakeholders (Various) 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Various) 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) 

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) 

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 

Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP) 

Orlando International Airport (MCO) 

American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) 

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) 

Airlines for America (A4A) 

International Biometrics Industry Association (IBIA) 

Southwest Airlines 

United Airlines 

American Airlines 

Delta Air Lines 

JetBlue Airways 

Technology Vendors (Various) 

Stakeholder Alignment 

Government 

Government 

Government 

Government 

Government 

Government 

Government 

Government 

Airport 

Airport 

Airport 

Airport 

Industry Associatoon 

Industry Association 

Industry Associatoon 

Industry Association 

Airline 

Airline 

Airline 

Airline 

Airline 

External Stakeholders 

Appendix C: Stakeholders Consulted

23 BIOMETRICS ROADMAP