Dr Joseph J Atick.

Dr Joseph J Atick, chairman and CEO of Visionics Inc., Minnetonka, Minn., supported at The Security Industry Association (SIA), has called for federal legislation in the United States to help transform existing industry guidelines concerning the use of facial recognition technology and CCTV into public policy.

???So far, [Visionics' and SIA's CCTV and facial recognition classification guidelines] have been effective,??? Atick said. ???But without systematic oversight and enforcement, they may not be enough in the extended run.

???In the month to come??? he continued, ???[Visionics] will work closely with federal legislators, privacy interest and industry assemblages to share its knowledge, experience and privacy protection principles pertaining to the use of facial recognition for public safety and other applications.???

Heightened national coverage and debates alerted The Security Industry Association to grasp a press conference in Washington DC to discuss the benefits of suitable and responsible use of surveillance and biometric