Border control agency the Australian Customs Service has selected Michael Grantham as its interim CIO to lead its IT department in the wake of the departure of Murray Harrison.
After seven years testing border control biometrics, Australian Customs Service says every Australian international airport will be equipped with SmartGate by June 2009.
Customs is wrapping up a AU$5.5 million trial of an unmanned spy plane next week, used to keep watch for criminal activities such as illegal fishing.
The Australian government has high hopes for biometric identification to cope with increasing numbers of international travellers, but the rate of technological change is causing investment jitters, say government insiders.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has said biometrics technology is vital to Australian border security, but an audit of the department has found it neglected to properly research its current use within government.
Can a national ID card protect Australians against terrorist attacks? And can citizens' details be protected by Public Key Infrastructure? We look at the types of hardware and software employed to combat terrorism, and how ports and other critical infrastructure are protected.
Countries including the UK and the US are putting biometrics at the forefront of plans to improve national border security but there are still significant issues to be solved before the technology is up to the job.
A few years ago, the uptake of biometric technology was considered a sure thing. But fast forward to present day and ZDNet Australia can reveal that companies are reluctant to use biometrics due to their negative stigma.
The United States moves forward with a plan to put RFID chips and biometric data in passports by early next year.
Overloaded with PINs, sick of passwords, and forever losing your access keys? Now all you need to do is smile and say "cheese".
Telstra shareholders fear break up
What do Telstra shareholders think of the telco's new CEO David Thodey? And would they support the government'… Watch it now
The Change Program changes its Agenda
What happens when you change the agenda of the ATO's Change Program, or program in some changes to the Agenda?… Watch it now
Microsoft's Tracey Fellows on Windows 7
After the launch of Windows 7 last week, ZDNet.com.au spoke briefly with Microsoft Australia and New Zealand M… Watch it now
Having problems with complex data center? Simplify your data center now.
Has New Zealand's smiling assassin delivered?
The long-awaited separation of Telstra
Google open-sources JavaScript tools
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