The Biometrics Institute will host a high level international conference in Sydney this week to examine the use of technology in combating fraud, and greater security in border control and financial services while still maintaining privacy.

Biometrics covers a variety of technologies in which unique identifiable attributes of people are used for identification and authentication.

This includes voice, iris, face, hand and fingerprint recognition, which can be used to validate the identity of individuals seeking to gain access to computers, airlines, databases and other areas which may need to be restricted. The Institute's general manager, Isabelle Moeller, there are no simple solutions when it comes to these issues so robust debate is expected at the event.

It will be officially opened by the Shadow Minister for Homeland Security, Arch Bevis, with presentations from Gillian Savage, national manager strategic development (passengers) from the Australian Customs Service and Hiroshi Shimada, chief manager, consumer finance division from the Bank of Tokyo.

Shimada will cover the implementation of palm vein biometrics.

Another guest speaker is Cameron Murphy, president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties who will address biometrics and privacy. Attendees will also receive an update on identity management including national and international developments relating to standards.

This includes an update on the Institute's Biometrics Vulnerability Assessment Methodology Development Project which is co-funded by the federal government's Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) under the Research Support for Counter-Terrorism Program.

To be held on June 7-8, 2007, sponsors include Sagem, Unisys, Argus Solutions, Cardax Australia and Fujitsu. The Biometrics Institute is an independent not-for-profit organisation which has a membership of over 100 organisations made up of government, private sector and consumer representatives.