ACS Think Tank (In-Person)
Facial Recognition: Identity Management vs Dystopian Nightmare
About this event
Facial Recognition: Identity Management vs Dystopian Nightmare
Facial recognition is both exciting and terrifying. It has already become a mainstream technology because it is embedded on smart phones and used by millions of people to activate their phones. Facial recognition already drives security at airports, passport control, nightclubs, and casinos. It is entrenched on social media and even though Facebook officially turned “off” their facial recognition tracking it can easily be activated on a range of apps across many devices.
Ethical questions on facial recognition are easily pushed aside by law enforcement who claim the high ground based on the need to capture dangerous criminals, reduce crime, and keep the community safe. It’s hard to imagine the world’s leading security agencies handing back one of their best weapons in the fight against crime.
December’s ACS Think Tank looks at facial recognition as a two-sided coin. If we give our law enforcement people permission but look to restrict everything else - we still have an enormous problem. Being recognised in a crowd, being exposed by a news reporter, being pursued by a retail shop. Mass surveillance looks at its most difficult when it is a seamless acquisition of individuals who can be recognised and affected with a single camera. When we multiply that proposition with the hundreds of thousands of cameras that remain turned on 24/7, we are faced with a serious challenge. Do we accept that facial recognition is a saturated reality, or do we do an about face and see facial recognition as more dangerous than good?
Attendees are invited to pre-submit their questions on this topic or suggest future topics through the ACS Think Tank Question and Topic Submission Form with the top unique questions being asked directly to our panel and in-room/virtual attendees.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Registration starts at 4:30pm (AEDT) for a 5:00pm sharp start.
ACS Think Tank in-person events are free for Professional and Full Fee Members. Non-members are welcomed.
ACS Think Tank Question and Topic Submission Form
Speakers
Assistant Secretary Identity and Biometrics Policy and Futures Branch
Digital and Technology Policy Division
Department of Home Affairs
Kavita Kewal joined the Department of Defence in 2001 as part of the Defence Graduate Program. Kavita then worked in the areas of defence international, intelligence, industry, and personnel policy. In April 2021, Kavita joined the Department of Home Affairs as the Assistant Secretary, Identity and Biometrics Policy and Futures Branch. From August to December 2021, Kavita was the Acting First Assistant Secretary, Digital and Technology Policy Division (previously Identity and Biometrics Division).
Over the past ten years, Kavita has held a number of roles in Defence and the Australian Signals Directorate. These include: Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defence; Assistant Director-General Executive Branch at the Australian Signals Directorate; Assistant Secretary Strategic Issues Management; Assistant Secretary Major Powers Branch; Assistant Secretary Work Health and Safety; Director Joint Facilities and Technical Programs; Director Strategic Planning, Performance and Risk; Director Defence Strategic Industry Policy Guidance. Kavita has also worked at the Department of Finance and Department of Human Services.
Kavita was selected to attend the Australian Defence College in 2010. Kavita is a graduate of Deakin University where she gained a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations and Development Studies and a Bachelor of Letters in Anthropology; Ballarat University where she completed a Master of Business Administration; and the Australian Defence and Strategic Studies Course where she gained Master of Arts in Strategic Studies. Kavita is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Deanna has more than 3 decades of experience within the IT Industry. She has traversed operations, critical incident management, IT Governance and managed major delivery programs and national security systems.
Working in and with Government Deanna is highly attuned to the needs, imperatives and complexities of the government operating environment.
She leads a team of cybersecurity experts solving complex problems for their clients.
Event Location
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