David McGlinchey, GovExec, 2004.09.23:

"Border chief touts biometrics as security
tool

"The top border security official at the
Homeland Security Department  ¡ ¢ 
underscored the importance of biometrics-
related programs in protecting the country
from terrorist attacks. While detailing the
successes of biometrics, Hutchinson
admitted that drug traffickers, murderers
and armed robbers have been identified
and caught at the U.S. border, but the
method had yet to net a terrorist.
Homeland Security Department officials
did not return calls asking if the use of



biometrics has resulted in the capture of
any terrorists.

"At the conference Hutchinson recounted
the story of a woman who attempted to
enter the United States from Mexico with
false identification. The woman's
biometric information was recorded and
she was barred from returning to the
United States. Within a year, however, she
attempted to enter the country through a
California airport under a different
identity. Hutchinson said immigration
officials used the woman's biometric
information to identify the woman and
deport her. He did not suggest that she
was a terrorist."



Assignment due this week: read libpng.
cr.yp.to/2004-494/libpng.html

Next week: Find some security holes!