ISO/IEC 19785-1:2020

Overview - ISO/IEC 19785-1:2020 (CBEFF Data Element Specification)

ISO/IEC 19785-1:2020 specifies the data element model and structures for the Common Biometric Exchange Formats Framework (CBEFF). The standard defines how to represent Biometric Information Records (BIRs), introduces the domain of use concept, and formalizes the notion of a CBEFF patron format - a published BIR format that complies with CBEFF requirements. It provides the abstract values and semantics for a set of CBEFF data elements used when defining patron formats and describes how to specify BIR structures (including Standard Biometric Headers - SBHs) and transformations between patron formats.

Key technical topics and requirements

• BIR structures: Defines simple, complex and multiple CBEFF BIR structures and how to apply the self‑identifying concept to a patron format.
• CBEFF data elements: Enumerates abstract elements (for example, BDB format owner/type, biometric type/subtype, capture device type, creation date, processed level, PAD mechanism, compression and algorithm identifiers) and their associated semantics and transformation rules.
• Domain of use: Mechanism to establish applicability and constraints for a CBEFF‑conformant standard or patron format.
• CBEFF patron format definition: Rules for specifying BIR structure, SBHs and referencing BDB formats in a BIR.
• Security block (SB): Means for BIRs to carry metadata about encryption of the Biometric Data Block (BDB) and integrity mechanisms applied to the BIR (note: the structure/content and the actual encryption/integrity mechanisms are out of scope).
• Transformations: Methods for converting one patron format to another, including handling of enumerated and non‑enumerated abstract values.
• Conformance: Requirements and attributes for conformance to the data element specification.

Out of scope highlights: the standard does not standardize specific BDB encodings, encryption or integrity algorithms, encoding of abstract values, or privacy protection measures.

Practical applications and who uses it

• Biometric system designers and integrators defining interoperable data exchange formats
• Biometric product vendors publishing CBEFF patron formats
• Application developers for identity management, border control, law enforcement and secure access systems
• Standards bodies and implementers needing a neutral metadata model to reference biometric data blocks
• Organizations implementing bridge/translation tools between different biometric formats

Using ISO/IEC 19785-1 helps ensure interoperable metadata, clearer domain constraints, and reliable transformations between biometric container formats.

Related standards and integration

• Part of the ISO/IEC CBEFF framework; typically used alongside specific BDB format standards and other biometric interchange standards when implementing end‑to‑end biometric systems.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 19785-1:2020, CBEFF, biometric exchange formats, BIR, BDB, standard biometric header, patron format, biometric data interoperability.