ImageWare Systems, Inc. provides software-based identity management solutions for governments, public safety and justice agencies, and commercial enterprises. It offers IWS Biometric Engine, a biometric identity management platform for multi-biometric enrollment, management, and authentication, as well as managing population databases of unlimited sizes; IWS PIV Management application that supplies the Web-based graphical user interface, which presents the user or client interface to the various server functions; IWS PIV Middleware product, a library of functions that connect a card reader and PIV card on the hardware side with a software application; IWS Background Server, a software application designed specifically for government and law enforcement organizations to support first stage of biometric identity management functions such as identity proofing and vetting; and IWS Desktop Security, a modular authentication management platform that provides an additional layer of security to workstations, networks, and systems through advanced encryption and authentication technologies. The company also provides IWS Biometric IQA&E, a biometric image enhancement and assessment solution, which assists government organizations to evaluate biometric images automatically; and identification and secure credential products that provide biometric enrollment and identity proofing with smart card encoding of biometrics; flexible models of central or distributed issuance of credentials; and customizable card life-cycle workflow managed by the card management system. It markets its products through its direct sales force and indirect distribution channels in the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The company, formerly known as ImageWare Software, Inc., was founded in 1987. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California.