Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework Standardization

Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework (CBEFF) provides a standardized set of definitions and procedures that support the interchange of biometric data in standard data structures called CBEFF biometric information records (BIRs). BIRs are well-defined data structures that consist of two or three parts: the standard biometric header (SBH), the biometric data block (BDB), and possibly the optional security block (SB). CBEFF permits considerable flexibility regarding BIR structures and BDB content, but does so in a way that makes it easy for biometric applications to evaluate their interest in processing a particular BIR. CBEFF imposes no restrictions on the contents of a BDB, which can conform to a standardized biometric data interchange format or can be completely proprietary. CBEFF standardizes a set of SBH data element definitions and their abstract values. A few of these data elements are mandatory in all SBHs (such as identifying the BDB format) and the rest are optional or conditional. Most of the data elements support description of various attributes of the BDB within the BIR. The optional SB provides a container for integrity and/or encryption related data that must be available to validate or process the BIR and/or BDB (such as integrity signatures and encryption algorithm identity).