This part of ISO/IEC 19784 specifies the interface to an archive biometric function provider. NOTE The interface assumes that the archive will be handled as a database, regardless of its physical realization. (Smartcards, tokens, memory sticks, files on hard drives and any other kind of memory can be handled via an abstraction layer presenting a database interface.) This part of ISO/IEC 19784 enables any third party to create biometric archive function providers, which may be plugged into any biometric service provider supporting this interface. It is not in the scope of this part of ISO/IEC 19784 to define security and privacy requirements for storage and management of BIRs.