SSN Justification Memo

D epartment of the Army

Defense Forensics and biometrics agency

251 18^th street south

suite 244a

Arlington, va 22202

DAPM-FB XX November 2024

MEMORANDUM THRU

Army Privacy Office (ISES-RMP-P), 9301 Chapek Road, Bldg 1458 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5605

FOR Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Transparency, 4800 Mark Center Drive, ATTN: PCLFD, Mailbox #24, Alexandria, VA 22350-1700

SUBJECT: Justification for the Use of the Social Security Number (SSN) – Defense Biometric Identification Records System (DOD ABIS), AITR# DA311858

1. This memorandum is to satisfy the requirements of DoDI 1000.30, “Reduction of Social Security Number (SSN) Use Within the DoD,” requiring justification to collect and use the SSN.

2. Per the requirements established in DoD Directive (DoDD) 8521.01E “DoD Biometrics”, identity information collected during military operations and bulk collections from interagency or foreign partner repositories, will be stored in the authoritative repository- the Defense Biometrics Identification Records System (also referred to as the DoD Automated Biometric Identification System, or DoD ABIS). The Army uses biometric, biographic, behavioral, and contextual data to identify physiological and/or behavioral characteristics and differentiate one individual from another through automated identification, authentication, and verification in support of national and military objectives. DoD ABIS information is also used for field identification and recovery of persons, to issue identity credentials to DoD personnel, and administer military detainee operations. Potential biographic information collected and exchanged between other authoritative biometric databases includes name, date of birth, place of birth, height, weight, eye color, hair color, race, gender, and social security numbers (SSN).

3. The applicable use for collection and use of the SSN is (2) Law Enforcement, National Security, and Credentialing. DoDD 8521.01E justifies the use of SNNs for the purpose of identifying individuals and supporting tactical and operational decision-making across the full range of DoD mission areas. DoD ABIS interfaces and shares biometric data with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Next Generation Identification (NGI) and other law enforcement partners who use the SSN to identify one individual from another.

4. There are no forms used for input of the SSN and no forms generated. Interfacing IT systems include: Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), state criminal history databases, National Crime Information Center (NCIS), and FBI systems. DoD ABIS SORN: A0025-2 PMG (DFBA) DoD, Volume 80, Federal Register, 17 February 2015.

5. Authorities supporting collection of the SSN are: HSPD-6, Integration and Use of Screening Information; HSPD-11, Comprehensive Terrorist-Related Screening Procedures; HSPD-24 Biometrics for Identification and Screening to Enhance National Security; National Security Presidential Memorandum 9, Presidential Memorandum on Optimizing the Use of Federal Government Information in Support of the National Vetting Enterprise; DoDD 8521,01E, DoD Biometrics.

6. Most records in DoD ABIS do not contain SSNs, and the risk has been mitigated in the remaining cases. The SSN is not included in customer response data, even to include the requesting customer. If required in rare instances, the SSN would be requested along with other related data and would be separately approved for release. While there is an enduring requirement to maintain the SSN in limited circumstances, specific actions have been taken to reduce unauthorized disclosure and misuse within the system.

7. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Rachel Borhauer at (703) 571-0375 or [email protected].

GEOFFREY STEWART

Acting Director

Defense Forensics and Biometrics Agency