Interview with Richard Ringold, IEEE Certified Biometrics Professional® (CBP) Program

Company referenced in this item: IEEE

FB
Can you please provide our readers with a brief background of the IEEE? How many members do you have and how many countries do you operate in?

IEEE
IEEE is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity, with a membership of more than 395,000 engineers and technical professionals across 160 countries. IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world’s literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed a portfolio of more than 900 active industry standards. IEEE also annually sponsors more than 1,100 conferences worldwide, including a number of key conferences in the biometrics field and related technologies.

FB
You recently introduced the IEEE CBP program. Please tell us about that?

IEEE
Yes, the IEEE Certified Biometrics Professional® (CBP) program identifies individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the IEEE CBP body of knowledge. It’s available to both IEEE members and non-members, and requires candidates to pass a rigorous exam and agree to adhere to the IEEE CBP Code of Ethics.

By earning the CBP credential, individuals can show that they have the competencies deemed essential for professionals in the biometrics field. The program was developed over several years of concentrated effort, with input and guidance from a wide variety of biometrics subject-matter experts representing industry, government, and academia. We launched CBP at the Biometric Consortium Conference in Tampa, Florida last September, and have had a tremendous response.

We’ve had successful CBP candidates from a variety of backgrounds and organizations - involved in homeland security, defense, law enforcement, forensics, IT security, physical security, biometric system integration, and a variety of commercial applications. The biometrics community is also very global, with CBP candidates thus far from North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Australia and the Middle East.

FB
What were the drivers that led to the decision to launch this program?

IEEE
Well, the field of biometrics is growing rapidly, with a diverse and expanding workforce from a wide variety of backgrounds, industries and organizations. But until now there wasn’t a credible, standard way of identifying who really knew biometrics well. IEEE recognized the need for professional certification and standardized training in biometrics, and used its strong ties to academia, government, and industry, both in the U.S. and internationally to pull the program together. IEEE is fortunate to have among its members many of the leading biometrics experts, and was positioned well to coordinate and fund the multi-year development of the CBP program.

FB
Who is the program targeted to and what are the benefits?

IEEE
The program was developed to meet the training, hiring, and evaluation needs of professionals and organizations throughout the biometrics industry. For the individual, the focus is on increasing their knowledge, getting certified, and establishing their credibility. Earning the CBP designation shows their high level of commitment to the field of biometrics, enhances their professional reputation, gives them a sense of personal accomplishment, and can open new doors or career paths.

The CBP program is also very beneficial to organizations who hire biometrics professionals. It validates the baseline biometrics knowledge of their staff, helps organizations evaluate applicants or train new hires, enables better purchase decisions, expands team’s capabilities, and establishes a competitive advantage when responding to RFPs and bidding on projects. We are already starting to see CBP listed as a desired characteristic in job listings and RFPs.

FB
What are the CBP program components?

IEEE
The IEEE CBP program covers topics within the following six major domain areas: Biometrics Fundamentals; Biometric Modalities; Biometric System Design and Evaluation; Biometrics Standards; Social, Cultural and Legal Implications; and Biometrics Applications.

The program consists of two components: certification through the IEEE CBP Exam, and training through the IEEE CBP Learning System.

The IEEE CBP Exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and candidates have three hours to complete the examination. The exam is available during several testing “windows” or ranges of dates each year. The next CBP testing window will be open from November 20 through December 31, 2010. Registration is open August 9 through December 28, 2010, and many candidates are already starting to study and prepare for their exam. In order to schedule an exam appointment, candidates must first register at www.ieeebiometricscertification.org.

We also offer the IEEE CBP Learning System, which combines print materials and online interactive software to provide comprehensive biometrics training and CBP exam preparation. It’s a self-directed course that allows the learner to quickly identify areas requiring further study, review the complete CBP body of knowledge, and measure knowledge gained through a series of progress checks and module tests. The CBP learning system measures each individual’s progress, comprehension and ability to apply concepts, and keeps track of all of their activities and scores. This course covers all of the CBP exam topics, but can also be used as general biometrics training for those who need to get up to speed quickly in this developing field.

FB
Are there any prerequisites for this course?

IEEE
There aren’t any specific experience or educational requirements to register and take the CBP examination. Those who will benefit from going through the CBP program include system integrators, vendors, consultants, buyers, government program managers and contractors active in homeland security, defense, and law enforcement. It’s also well suited to professionals in the related fields of security, identity management, forensics, cyber security, and others who need to increase their knowledge in the emerging field of biometrics

FB
In our last Year in Review, Education was highlighted as the main challenge for the industry. How will your program help with this challenge?

IEEE
As the use of biometrics continues to increase around the world, it will be increasingly challenging to identify and train the individuals needed to meet the growing demand for qualified biometrics professionals. Historically, there has been a lack of training programs that cover biometrics at an appropriate depth and breadth for today’s practitioner. Many biometrics courses and the technical literature are at a graduate engineering or post-graduate level, which may not be accessible or appropriate for the broader biometrics community. On the other hand, some of the introductory materials on biometrics are too basic. The IEEE CBP program helps fill this gap by focusing on the relevant knowledge and skills necessary to apply biometrics to real-world challenges and applications. It’s intended to be comprehensive, yet practical.

FB
What are the fees associated with the course and the exam?

IEEE
The exam is $495 for IEEE members and $595 for non-members, and the learning system is $795 for IEEE members and $895 for non-members. There are discounts available for individuals who purchase both an exam and a learning system together. Significant corporate and group discount packages are also available for groups of two or more candidates.

FB
Where can interested parties go for more information about getting trained and certified?

IEEE
There’s a lot of additional information about the IEEE CBP program, including a free demo and sample program materials, available at www.ieeebiometricscertification.org. The CBP Candidate Handbook can also be downloaded, and individuals can sign up for the CBP Exam and order Learning Systems from the website as well.

About IEEE:
IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at www.ieee.org .

Testimonial:
“I was surprised by the volume of information that the Learning System contained; it was very comprehensive.”
“This program is on target and should be valuable for those with involvement in biometrics at the FBI, DOJ (Department of Justice), DoD (Department of Defense) and many others.”
"The IEEE CBP program delivered on its promises. It strengthened some of the areas and aspects of biometrics that are less familiar to me and made me more well-rounded."
-Gregory Johnson, CBP, BRTRC

Testimonial:
“The IEEE CBP Learning System materials were harder than I had expected. Even though I’ve been in biometrics for years, I learned a lot by going through the training.”
-Bill Bartlett, CBP, NEC

Testimonial:
“I just finished my exam after having read the entire Learning System from front to back and after taking all of the online practice tests. After having done that, I can say what a good job IEEE did on it. Everything is very professionally done and easy to use (and I learned quite a bit in the process).”
-Catherine J. Tilton, CBP, VP, Standards & Emerging Technologies, Daon, Inc.