In light of last week's alleged terrorism plot and
arrests in Toronto, national security is a hot topic that continues
to garner much debate.
And part of that debate is the growing demand from businesses,
government agencies and individuals for background and security
checks.
This increase in demand for these services has resulted in a
partnership between Quebec City, Que.-based Unicom Canada, a
biometric technology company, and private, not-for-profit security
company Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, to provide a digital
fingerprinting service.
The new system will take fingerprints using a scanner, as
opposed to the current paper and ink method, according to Paul
Guindon, CEO, Commissionaires Ottawa.
"Everything is put into an electronic file, and then it's
forwarded to the RCMP," he said. "The system components will
include the scanner, electronic signature capture equipment, a
digital camera if photos are needed (for a visa), and certified
printers."
After it's forwarded to the RCMP, the information is verified
electronically, and a confirmation of the electronic transformation
is received, he said.
"So the records are verified and if there are no 'hits' as the
RCMP calls it, it's processed within minutes instead of months," he
said. "Everything is done in a secure fashion because our system is
connected via a secure virtual private network and with controlled
firewalls as well.
"All the information on a person is held by the RCMP not by a
third party. The fingerprinting service will also be easily
accessible, as it will be available at all Commissionaires Canada
stations as well as through their mobile stations."
Unicom Canada will provide the equipment and
software, in addition to full technical and maintenance support,
said Andre Ledoux, president and CEO, Unicom Canada.
"We are the only Canadian company that has the official RCMP
accreditation for the transfer of electronic fingerprints sent to
the RCMP," said Ledoux.
He noted the need for security checks of employees, and the
demand for biometric technology with respect to identification and
security, is on the increase.
"Before 9/11 a lot of people associated biometrics, and in
particular fingerprint analysis, to criminality," he said. "The
attitude has changed, not totally but it has changed, and many
people will say 'If you promise me that this airline is safer, I'll
give you my prints.'"
He said there is more awareness of the need for increased
security, especially in light of events like last week, where an
alleged terror plot was broken up by police in Toronto, as well as
the bombings in London, England last summer.
"What happened in Toronto just last weekend...no country is
totally safe, Canada is probably on some hit list somewhere,"
Ledoux said. "We have to be careful, and biometrics is still the
only way to identify people for sure, and fingerprint analysis is
the best of these ways."
Guindon said there are policies in the works with respect to
identification, at various levels of government. An upcoming policy
from Natural Resources Canada will require Canadian citizens that
handle explosives to be issued a security card.
"So in order for someone to use explosives in a mine in Sudbury
they will have to be cleared to do so, which means that a
background check will be done on the person through fingerprints,
and they will be issued an identification card that will allow
permission to transport or use explosives," said Guindon.
He added that some banks are also looking at this technology,
and eventually the system will replace what is now called the
criminal background check, based on name and Social Insurance
Number only.
As for the new digital fingerprinting service, it will be fully
operational by the end of the year, according to Guindon.
"This partnership with Unicom will provide a fully automated
electronic identification, it will allow the process to be
dramatically reduced in terms of processing time and wait time for
the public," he said.
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