On the technical side, biometric identity management is about the physical facts of a person in a given environment, communication, databases, sensors, permissions, etc. Once an organization works through these details, a successful biometric deployment becomes possible.
But there is a social component to almost all identity management deployments outside of prisons. ID management (biometric or not) only works if it isn't subverted by the users. If users are careless with keys, passwords and proximity cards; if doors are propped open or those with access allow others to "tailgate," the effectiveness of the ID management system is undermined.
India's UID project (once again) provides a useful window into how organizations manage the cultural side of a large-scale identity management deployment and the things that must be considered. The linked article provides insight into the India project's efforts at stakeholder marketing.
Combined, they have more than 150 years of marketing experience.As they say, read the whole thing.
All were headhunted by Maruwada, who looked to bring the country’s most experienced minds in communications, marketing and advertising to tackle what is arguably the UIDAI’s most important challenge—marketing the idea of a universal government identity to citizens from every caste, region and religion.
Identity management is about people.
