the present invention relates to a system and a method of verifying the identity of an individual by employing biometric data associated with the individual , wherein privacy of said biometric data is provided . a helper data scheme is employed to provide privacy of the biometric data . the present invention is advantageous for number of reasons . first , processing of security sensitive information is performed in a secure , tamper - proof environment which is trusted by the individual . this processing , combined with utilization of a helper data scheme , enables set up of a biometric system where the biometric template is available in electronic form only in the secure environment . moreover , electronic copies of the biometric templates are not available in the secure environment permanently , but only when the individual offers her template to the sensor .