Frost & Sullivan has carried out a new assessment of the global biometrics market that predicts 2010 revenues of $4.49 billion will increase to $14.685 billion by 2019.
Universal adoption of biometric passports will be the driving force in this growth as so-called eGates are implemented at borders around the world.
Portable devices used by the police and the military will also become increasingly common in the fight against crime and terrorism, according to the report.
Frost & Sullivan also suggests that biometrics will be almost universally adopted in the identification of citizens through IDs, driver’s licenses and healthcards complete with biometric capabilities.
Research analyst Krzysztof Rutkowski explained: “The civil and military biometric market will be highly influenced by the universal adoption of biometric passports. This will pave the way for the adoption of other measures, such as eGates, that will enhance the biometric possession experience.”
Implementing biometrics in EU passports
The European Union passed regulations to implement biometrics in EU passports in 2005, partly to better control immigration but also in response to security concerns following 9/11.
Europe and North America have been leading the way on the use of biometric passports, with the rest of the world expected to follow suit.
However, slow return on investment, high initial costs and the slow speed of Government procurement procedures have so far meant the adoption has not been particularly expedient. Concerns about privacy have also hindered take-up.
Rutkowski added: “While the RoI may not be visible at the very outset, once the technology’s in place, faster verification and portable devices will decrease the amount of travel required, which will be beneficial in the long-run. Privacy is the main hindrance in Government biometric programmes. Detractors believe that this type of identity verification can be offensive, distasteful, invasive or simply embarrassing.”
As the majority of customers for eGates are Governments, Frost & Sullivan says that becoming a recognisable player in the biometric market will positively influence the speed of procurement.
Rutkowski explained: “Becoming more significant through the acquisition of competitors will not only positively influence a company’s market share but also support an enhanced position on the international markets. Acquiring a foreign company may decrease the affect of protectionism by certain Governments.”
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