Biometric specialist consultancy services delivered to a major UK government client

The programme that is subject to this case study is a complex, cross-functional technology convergence programme for biometrics (including Fingerprint, Facial recognition and DNA). This includes biometrics for UK borders, visas, immigration, law enforcement and Passport Office.

IdentityE2E is the client-side specialist consultancy services partner. We work extensively and collaboratively with many external delivery partners and suppliers of the client in delivery of new developments and changes to existing systems.

As part of the service, IdentityE2E is responsible for leading spoke TDAs of the programme, reporting into the client’s main TDA functions. The service uses agreed enterprise architecture frameworks and is aligned to Government technology policies and procedures.

Major transformational aspects of the programme include the migration of legacy solutions to cloud platforms, the transformation of multiple legacy interfaces to a single strategic format and the disaggregation of legacy monolithic system deliveries into separate services. IdentityE2E’s service is at the heart of this work, and we have implemented a technology services strategy that has delivered a highly positive impact in line with the customer’s expectations and needs.

Key activities and services covered by IdentityE2E as part of this contract delivery include:

• Biometric specialist consultancy – including provision of guidance on integration of biometric solutions into complex business processes, and advice related to internation biometric standards.
• Biometric testing and analysis – including provision of in-house biometric accuracy testing system and analysis of biometric performance testing results, and implementation of biometric conformance testing strategy.
• Biometric integration service – including delivery of technical papers highlighting cross-Programme biometric integration challenges and measuresto overcome them. Also, development and delivery of ICDs (Interface Control Documents) based on international biometric standards and practices.
• Capability analysis - review of current business capability (as is) and the required future state (to be).
• Requirements – requirements analysis, specification, and production of technical requirements for programme procurement schedules.
• Road-mapping - developing technology roadmaps to co-ordinate the delivery of the programme strategy.
• Architectures - identification of the appropriate technology architecture to deliver the technology strategy. The service particularly requires the ability to co-ordinate complex legacy IT architectural migrations to future state architectures.
• Technology gap assessments - recommendation of technology to move from as-is to the to-be.
• Applications - identification and specification of appropriate applications or toolsets required to deliver biometric services across the programme
• Business models – supporting selection of operational and commercial models for procurement and to deliver programme technology strategy
• IT financial management and benefits – supporting the development of the Programme’s IT financial management approach, especially in relation to the obtaining of business benefit compared to costs.
• Operational service design – including working with stakeholders to assure the biometric service design and delivery model and ensure it meets the current and expected future business needs and demand.
• Demand management – analysis and review of requirements and demand, including production of volumetric models to guide capacity planning processes and system requirements. The service requires use of specific analytical methods in modelling and sizing biometrics systems.
• Service Levels, Performance Design – supporting the development of SLAs and KPI’s for programme biometric services, including development of specific measurement and reporting mechanisms for biometric assessment to provide assurance that biometric service providers and achieving the required standards.
• Service Availability – we have designed monitoring, assurance and continuity of service processes and solutions to ensure that current and future business needs are met. For some in-house deliveries of the programme, IdentityE2E has delivered the technical solution. For outsourced deliveries, we have supported the customer by assuring solutions of other service providers.
• Risk management – our team fully participates in risk management activities of the various projects across the programme, in order to ensure proactive risk identification and mitigations are presented for management and resolution.
• Security – as part of our service we liaise closely with the programme security architects to ensure appropriate security protection for programme technology solutions and operations. We play a leading role in provision of in-depth advice specific to biometric security aspects. All our resources undertake security clearance in line with business needs.
• Multi-Supplier eco system – IdentityE2E plays a lead role in assuring the design, integration, and processes (including specific supplier solution testing and defect resolution) across multiple suppliers to ensure service integration and efficient operation across the programme products.

In addition to the core technical delivery, the customer also requires IdentityE2E to have:

• Knowledge and experience in leading major biometric procurement and evaluation activities with an understanding of procurement principles.
• Understanding of current UK Government biometric systems and projects.
• Understanding of the business processes in government departments where biometrics are used.
• Experience of UK Government specific biometric interface formats and biometric standards.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the legislation and policy requirements in which UK Government biometric systems operate.

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