2015 Global Identity Summit

Jon Lazar
Deputy Director
Defense Biometrics at the Office of the Secretary of Defense


Mr. Lazar is the Deputy Director of the Defense Biometrics Office, within the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, responsible for the oversight of all biometrics-related strategy, policy, and concept development. In this role he also serves as the primary DoD point of contact with other Interagency and International organizations on biometric matters. He facilitates the rapid development and transition of biometric technology within the Department and works with interagency partners, industry, and academia to meet operational requirements and advance the biometric technology of formal programs. Among his top priorities are ensuring support for Warfighter requirements, institutionalizing biometric capabilities within the Department, interagency coordination, and biometric S&T development across the range of military missions. Mr. Lazar’s experience in biometrics began with the Joint Staff in 2005 and included work on the DoD Capstone CONOPS for Biometrics, the DoD Quick Look Capabilities Based Assessment (CBA), and serving as the Multi National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) Chief of Biometrics from 2007-2008. As Chief of Biometrics, he coordinated the DoD’s first widespread use of biometric equipment by maneuver units operating in the field and the initial deployment of DoD biometric screening equipment to the Iraqi ports of entry. Prior to joining the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Lazar served as a Naval Aviator in the United States Navy, deploying multiple times to the Arabian Gulf and serving in a variety of leadership positions. An accomplished pilot, he logged more than 3,000 rotary wing hours and almost 1,000 shipboard landings, and pioneered the use of night vision goggles, the hellfire missile system, and the Sea Swap initiative in his community.

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