Government Information Technology and Border Security: Comparative Perspectives
Abstract
Information technology has become central to the administration of border controls and security policies in the more developed OECD states and increasingly in most countries of the world. Much of the hardware and software necessary for these new systems are readily available, however, policymakers, administrators and analysts have underestimated many of the practical barriers to implementing new border control information technology solutions, such as data entry problems, insufficient physical infrastructure at border crossings, and limitations to automation without severely compromising border security. These barriers are examined by focusing on implementation of entry systems that leverage machine readable travel documents, automated border controls for registered travelers and automated biometric entry-exit systems in Australia, Canada, the US, Japan and EU member states.