Shonnie R. Lyon is leading the evolution of biometric identity services – evolving the policies, commitment to privacy, and research and development needed allowing frontline personnel to accurately assess whether an in individual is a threat to the country.
As the Director of the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Shonnie is at the forefront of the advancements in biometric identity and is shining light on rapidly evolving emerging technologies including face
recognition, speaker recognition, craniofacial structural progression, contactless fingerprints, and DNA to support accurate and actionable biometric evidence.
His leadership has expanded biometric identity the Secure Real-Time Platform (SRTP) with International Partners, migrant vetting, the Biometric Data Sharing Partnership and investigation support and victim identification to name just a few. In 2020, OBIM assumed responsibilities for the DHS Biometric Capabilities Executive Steering Committee (BC-ESC) where he has nurtured an open forum for stakeholders to discuss issues related to biometrics and strengthened coordination with other components on research, testing and development of biometric technologies and future concepts.
Shonnie has overseen OBIMS’s expansion to stakeholders across DHS Components, other Federal Departments and interagency partners, State, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement entities, and international governments.