Identity, Security, Payments, Biometrics, Smart Cards and Authentication News

Security expert speaks on the future of biometric technologies

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

John Davies, managing director at UK-based access control security solutions TDSi, has recently given his thoughts on the future of a number of currently used or emerging biometric technologies, according to a Source Security article.

First citing fingerprint readers, Davies acknowledged that they are both the cheapest and the most prevalent of the biometric technologies. However, they are also the least reliable of the major technologies. Despite their reliability issues, he still considers them to fit with high volume, low risk situations.


Additionally Davies addressed the relatively new technology of palm or finger vein scans. Early reports from the usage of the scanners is that they are highly reliable, accurate, and nearly completely non-invasive as it requires no actual contact with the device to authenticate; authentication occurs via an infra-red picture taken that can even see through gloves. Many of Japan’s financial institutions currently use these technologies and are reporting great success.

Furthermore Davies touched on authentications via the eye such as iris and retinal scanners. While they are quite expensive, they are also generally considered the most reliable and accurate. According to Davies, retinal scanning will most likely be used for only the highest security needs as it is generally considered more invasive to users.

Read the full story here [end] 

Multimodal biometric security provider ImageWare Systems Inc. has released version 2.0 of its Biometric Engine (BE) physical security identification product.

This product is designed for airports, seaports and other critical points-of-access for government and private enterprises. This update takes into account the SAFE Port Act, which requires foreign shippers to secure cargo being shipped to the U.S. and ensure the identity of those loading it. Shippers must manage this by 2013.

read more »

In order to release its H1Biometric Finger Vein scanner to the U.S. market, Hitachi Europe Ltd. has signed a strategic partnership with M2SYS, making the company Hitachi’s primary Value Added Reseller for this product in North America.

read more »

3M Cogent announced that the U.S. General Services Administration, in accordance with FIPS 201, has certified its MiY-ID Gov biometric access control reader as an approved biometric authentication system standard.

read more »

Access IS is gearing up for Security Document World (SDW) 2012 where it will be showcasing its latest range of security document readers.

There the company will introduce its new passport reader - the OCR601 - which is able to quickly and accurately verify the machine readable zone (MRZ) and enables the data in an e-passport’s chip to be read, all in a single action.

read more »

Biometrics firms Morpho and AOptix have formed a partnership to deploy advanced biometric systems targeted to border management and aviation security industries.

Under the terms of the partnership, AOptix products will be integrated into Morpho’s border management product line. This includes InSight Duo, AOptix’s combined face capture and iris recognition system.

read more »

ScaleMatrix integrated biometrics into various levels of access in its San Diego-based cloud data center, reports Security Info Watch, giving it added security for its clients.

read more »