Biometrics Security News and Information

Another Social Perspective On Biometrics

Taking Into Account The "Ethics" of Biometrics

As much as I have written about Privacy Rights and the Social Implications surrounding the use of Biometric Technology, I have never thought it from the perspective of and "ethical standpoint." Well, there is a new Project (actually a European Consortium) coming out called "RISE", and it is an acronym for the "Rising pan European and International Awareness on Biometrics and Security Ethics."

This new Project surrounding the Ethics and Social Impacts of Biometrics was actually launched in March of this year, in order to help understand further these ramifications, and how to address the issues and concerns brought up by the end user.

Here are some more details of it: "RISE will set up an international initiative to monitor ethical and policy issues raised by biometrics and security technologies . . .  the project aims to involve key European and international actors in an ongoing, policy‐related, non‐official, dialogue on privacy and ethics of biometrics and security technologies . . . RISE’s mission is to create an internationally recognized ethical framework to be used while planning and managing security policies, notably biometrics. Ethical implications of biometric identification technologies directly concern respect for body integrity and dignity, protection of weaker communities and their privacy rights." (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/714).

The RISE Consortium is composed of five European Countries, the United States, China, and India.

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

While the formation of this Consortium is good, what about the formation of a Project or Consortium, which focuses upon education for the end user and consumer about Biometric Technologies in general?

In my view, this is just as important as the Privacy Rights and Ethical Issues surrounding Biometrics. Remember, ultimately in the end, in order for the growth in Biometrics to continue as it is predicted, the end user and the consumer has to understand what they are purchasing, and how to properly use the device. If they don’t, then what is the point??? They will simply have another fancy Security Tool in their hand serving no use or purpose at all.

Source for this Posting:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/714

Biometrics In Time And Attendance: A Case Study

Fingerprint Recognition Used For Time And Attendance

A Company, known as "Experchem Laboratories, Inc." is now using Biometric Technology for its Time and Attendance Processes. They were looking for a more superior way to eliminate paperwork, increase worker productivity, as well as have an audit trail of who is entering and exiting the physical place of business.

This Company is currently using a Biometric Solution from A Biometrics/Security Vendor known as "L-1 Identity Solutions", and uses core Fingerprint Recognition Technology from another Biometrics/Security Vendor known as "Bioscrypt, Inc.". What is unique, in my opinion, about this Time and Attendance Application is that it is really a Multimodal Security Solution applied to a way of keeping track of an employee’s work period. All of my other Postings about Multimodal Security Solutions has been for Physical Access Entry and Computer/Network Security.

In this scenario, employees are given an Access Card, they present it in front of the Biometrics Device, and then the employee is prompted to Verified and/or Identified. For example, "Depending on which form-factor they prefer, employees can either use a proximity card which can fit in their wallet or on a lanyard, or a fob which can go on their key chain. When they arrive at work, they wave the fob or proximity card in front of the reader and then place their fingerprint on the reader, which verifies that fingerprint against the template stored on the fob and can make a match in under a second. Employees are authenticated and their time and attendance information is automatically collected, eliminating the need for time sheets." (SOURCE: http://www.biometricnewsportal.com/biometrics_news3.asp?articleid=263003&arttitle=Experchem%20replaces%20time%20sheets%20with%20two-factor%20biometric%20time%20and%20attendance%20system).

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

The use of Biometrics, especially Fingerprint Recognition, certainly has its strong share of advantages in the Time and Attendance Marketplace:

1)  Payroll calculations are very quick and very efficient-the amount of time an employee worked and amount of pay can be almost instantaneously calculated;

2)  There is no need for Timesheets and other similar types of cumbersome paperwork;

3)  The problem of "buddy punching" is virtually alleviated-this is when an employee calls in sick and he or she has their friend clock in/clock out for them, as if the so called sick employee was really at work;

4)  There is greater productivity among workers, for example, there is a lot less time spent now on filling out paperwork and more time spent on actually doing work;

5)  An audit trail of who is coming in and coming out of the place of business or organization is created-this in turn helps to create a comprehensive Security Policy for the place of business or organization;

6)  It is a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer. For instance, "Experchem’s employees are also happy with the automated solution. A lot of people liked having the system in because they don’t have to write down their overtime hours." (SOURCE: http://www.biometricnewsportal.com/biometrics_news3.asp?articleid=263003&arttitle=Experchem%20replaces%20time%20sheets%20with%20two-factor%20biometric%20time%20and%20attendance%20system).

However, the one thing that could be a negative is in the cost of replacing the Access Cards which are issued to the employees. How often do they have to replaced? What is the cost of replacing them? If employees keep losing their Access Cards, the costs of issuing new ones could greatly escalate . . . . . .

Source for this Posting:  http://www.biometricnewsportal.com/biometrics_news3.asp?articleid=263003&arttitle=Experchem%20replaces%20time%20sheets%20with%20two-factor%20biometric%20time%20and%20attendance%20system

The Growth Rate For Biometrics

Biometrics Keep Booming

The Economic Outlook for Biometrics in Europe looks fairly steady, according to a Market Research Analysis prepared by Frost and Sullivan (in fact, I wrote about them yesterday also). For example, "In 2008 biometric vendors witnessed massive growth; however the same downturn that affected banking, construction industry and retail stores since the end of 2008 also affected some biometric vendors. This said, with the ongoing demand for more integrated security solutions from vertical sectors such as education, law enforcement, government, healthcare and manufacturing facilities, 2009 is anticipated to be a steady uphill year for the market." (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/712).

So far, Europe has seen a growth rate measured at about 30.5% for Biometrics, and some of the growth areas are the ones I have written about before many times in previous Posting, such as the National ID Card and the e-Passport. For instance, "The European biometrics market is expected to grow steadily in 2009 as security concerns and government projects such as national IDs, e-Passport projects, ports, airports, and other critical infrastructure security will continue to drive revenues for vendors . . ." (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/712).

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

Although the Economic Picture for Biometrics looks good and provides strong affirmation that Biometrics will be very strong in the years to come, it is also important to remember it will not be an Internet Boom like we saw in the late 90’s. The Biometrics Market will also to some degree or another be impacted by the Global Recession.

But the difference is that, we will not see a sharp extremes like we have seen in the other sectors, such as the Financial Services Industry. In my view, the Biometrics Market will grow at a steady, but much slower rate. Think of this like buying Bonds rather than Stocks-the return will not be immediate, it will grow slowly over time, but produce positive and healthy Financial Returns in the end.

It is expected that the Businesses and Organizations with "public funding" will provide for the most of the growth in the Biometrics Industry. This only reaffirms my hypothesis that the Federal Government here in the United States and those in Europe will be the major customer for Biometrics, and the awarding of major Security Contracts. This is best exemplified by the e-Passport and the National ID Card, as they will be major Revenue providers.

But despite the Federal Government being the major customer, it is expected that the growth rate in Biometrics will be a win-win for all parties involved, which include the Security Vendors, the Customers, and the Distributors and Resellers of Biometrics Products and Services.

So overall, the growth for Biometrics will be slower, but steady, yielding positive returns. In my view, in the long run, this trend of growth will be much better rather than witnessing a huge boom followed by a very painful bust-resembling the Housing Market right now.

Source for this Posting:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/712

A Fingerprint Sensor Makes The News

An Award To A Biometrics/Security Vendor

In the past, I have written about a few Postings about various Vendors receiving Awards for their Biometric Products or Mathematical Algorithms. Mostly, it has been about the Tehcnology itself, and how it is differentiated from the rest of the crowd. Well, another Biometrics/Security Vendor known as "IDEX ASA" has received an award from Frost and Sullivan for Product Differentiation.

The Award was given for its Fingerprint Sensor. Here are some of the details of it: "IDEX, a leader in fingerprint sensing technology, products and services, . . . announced that it has been awarded the 2009 Frost & Sullivan Global Swipe Sensor Product Differentiation Innovation of the Year Award for its innovative SmartFinger® swipe sensor . . . The award is in recognition of IDEX’s successful initiative in improving its innovative SmartFinger® swipe sensor, launched in December 2007, by further enhancing its technology that combines fingerprint identification and navigation capabilities in the same module. Advanced features of the SmartFinger® technology such as superior biometric performance, excellent skew correction, and dual chip solution . . ." (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/711).

This Fingerprint Sensor serves all types of Industries and Applications, such as the following:

1)  Physical Access Entry;

2)  Wireless;

3)  Time and Attendance;

4)  Laptop Computers;

5)  Finance

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

I think this type of Fingerprint Sensor Technology will be especially important for Single Sign On Solutions and Wireless Technologies. The reason I say this is because the Sensor Technology and Mathematical Algorithms have to be especially robust for such a smaller Scan Area as opposed to the larger, more self contained Biometric Fingerprint Units used for Physical Access Entry and Time and Attendance Applications. There are a lot more unique features to be collected and analyzed in order to create effective Biometric Templates for Wireless Applications (especially Cellular Phones), the SSO’s as they become smaller in size.

Also, I think it is important I keep writing Postings about the various Biometrics/Security Vendors who make the news like this, so I can keep you, my audience informed of what the latest is out there in terms of new Biometrics Products ad Services.

Source for this Posting:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/711

Cooperation For Greater Airport Security

Cooperation For More Security

I have written in previous Postings of the need for better Security overall for the Airlines and the Airports which serve them. True, we have all the modern technology to have great levels of Security, but the one thing always lacking has been training for Airport Security Workers, vigilance, and identifying within reason whom could be a threat and whom are innocent travelers.

There is something what is known as a "Visa Waiver Program". Traditionally, if one enters the United States a United States Citizen travels abroad, one must have a Visa in order to gain Entry into the Country of Destination. But, there is also a group of Countries, in which the Citizens do not have to have a Visa in order to enter the United States.

But back in 2007, Congress mandated Legislation which heightened the Security Requirements for what is known as the "Visa Waiver Program". Part of the increased Security Requirements is to have the ability to Verify and/or Identify Foreign Nationals departing the United States via Biometrics. The goal is to Verify/Identify up to 97%, and to have the Biometrics Program implemented by 2009.

Well, the Travel Industry Association (also known as the "TIA") is now staking a claim in this: "The Travel Industry Association is committed to working with the Department of Homeland Security and other interested parties to ensure that a biometric air exit system is developed as expeditiously as possible. TIA believes that an air exit system will encourage and enforce compliance with U.S. immigration laws and allow the Department of State to develop meaningful data on visa overstay rates."  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/710). 

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

It is good to see that this kind of Cooperation is happening, especially with regards to Airline and Airport. In my opinion as a Security Consultant, there is a lot of room for improvement in this area. With regards to the Visa Waiver Program, there can be lots of lose holes for Security which can be taken advantage of. Just a random thought from my head as I am writing this Posting, it’s great we will have the ability to Verify and/or Identify individuals (whom are part of the Visa Waiver Program) as they depart the United States, but how about having the ability to Verify and/or Identify them as they enter into the United States????

In my view, the level of Security at Airports here in the United States needs to be at least at the level seen in Israel and the United Kingdom. It’s not a tall order, if they can do it, why can’t we????

Source for this Posting:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/article/710

Document Security Strong Despite The Global Recession

More Good Economic News For Security

Despite the severe Economic Downturn that the world is facing today, another area of Security seems to be shining and booming as well. This is the area of Document Security and Anti Document Forgery. The fact that this is such a growing Market is best exemplified by a recent Security Conference held in London, known as the "Security Document World".

Here are some impressive Statistics as to turnout of people, and Security Vendors at this event:

1)  Attendance in general was up by 25% versus a year ago (2008);

2)  In terms of representation, there were 43 Countries at this Conference, and within these group of Countries, 42% were outside of England, and 15% were outside of Europe.

3)  There was an equally impressive showing of Security Vendors and Sponsors for this Conference: 68 Vendors were present exhibiting various Security Products and Services, and 13 Sponsors.

So overall, it appears that Security will continue to be a very dominant theme in the face of this Global Recession. For example, "We are delighted with the clear endorsement of this event by industry and governments from across the world. In just two years we have almost doubled in size. But we are not complacent. It will be our mission in the coming months to ensure that our 2010 event becomes the largest gathering of security document, advanced border control and document anti-counterfeiting experts in the world." (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5869).

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

When I first started mentioning as to how the Security Market in general would fare in the face of this Global Recession, I first started discussing about Biometrics, then Smart Cards (especially for the National ID Card and the e-Passport), then about the Federal Government awarding big Security Contracts to the Private Sector, and now its Document Security and Anti Document Forgery. I will keep my eye out for sure on this area of Security and write Postings as things develop.

Really, in the end, it could very well be the Security World which could be the saving grace and stimulus behind this awful Global Recession. But one good thing about Security Conference which was not mentioned, and from what I could tell was there was not a lot of Federal Government involved, it was all about Private Industry, which shows demand for Security Products and Services is still strong and vibrant.

Source for this Posting:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5869

Security Without The Hardware

A New Breed Of Software Encryption And Security

Alladin Knowledge Systems, a major Biometrics/Security Vendor, has just announced that it has two new Software Products which will allow for Encryption and Authentication without the need for any Hardware. These two Software Products will serve a variety of Market Applications, ranging from Wireless Technologies to Smart Cards, to Portable Hard Drives and Flash Drives.

The names of these two Software Products are called the "Aladdin eToken Virtual" and the "Aladdin MobilePASS". Here is a more detailed description with regards to both of them:

For the Alladin MobilePASS:

"MobilePASS, Aladdin’s family of One-Time-Password (OTP) software authentication solutions, combines the security of proven two-factor strong authentication with the convenience of one-time passwords generated right on your personal mobile device or PC. MobilePASS:

* Supports BlackBerry, Windows mobile, Java ME-enabled devices, and Smartphone using a standard login and supports out of band SMS delivery
* Can also be installed on a laptop, desktop PC or saved on a flash drive for portability between machines
* Enables new business opportunities while protecting identities and data"

(SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5857).

For the Alladin eToken Virtual:

"eToken Virtual is software-based two-factor authentication security solution which provides full PKI functionality such as secure remote access, network access, encryption and digital signing completely in software. eToken Virtual:

* Delivers the strength of certificate-based authentication for PC and flash
* Encrypts smartcards in the computer itself so there is no risk of lost or damaged authenticators
* Reduces the cost of deployment and distribution of authenticators
* Improves employee productivity"

(SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5857).

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

To be honest, this is one of the very first times I have come across a Software Product which does not require any sort of Hardware in order to Authenticate, Verify, and/or Identify an individual. Obviously, this will come with some great benefits, including the following:

1)  Easy to implement and manage;

2)  Drastically reduced costs;

3)  Greater productivity among all kinds and types of Employees in the Organizations and Business which utilize these two Software Products;

4)  Greater Ease Of Use and Flexibility for the End User.

Both of these Software Products can be centrally controlled by Alladin’s TMS System, or also known as the "Token Management System". This can also integrate very easily with sort Active Directory Infrastructure.

I guess one could even as at this point if this type of Security Technology can be extended towards Biometrics, where everything is Software Based. At the present moment, Keystroke Recognition is the only Software based Biometric Technology which is available today. All of the Biometric Technologies need some sort of Hardware Interface, because of the interaction which is needed with the End User in order to create the Biometric Templates.

But the way the Security Technologies are advancing, who knows . . . . . .

Source for this Posting:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5857

A High Profile Use Of Hand Geometry Scanning

Hand Geometry Scanning At A Nuclear Facility

When one thinks of Hand Geometry Scanning, we often think of its use and applications in Heavy Industrial and Large Warehouse Usage. But, Hand Geometry Scanning is also being used to help protect such high profile places like Nuclear Facilities.

Such is the case in the United Kingdom, at what is known as the British Nuclear Group’s "Sellafield Reactor Site". Recognition Systems, a division of Ingersoll Rand, is providing the Hand Geometry Scanners. The Hand Geometry Scanners are located throughout the entire Nuclear Site at Entry and Access Points. But what is slightly different here is that these Hand Geometry Scanners are also being used for a Multimodal Security Solution. So, in essence, they are serving a Multiple Security Role.

For example, a Smart Card is issued is issued to each Employee of the Nuclear Site, which contains the various Security Details abut each individual, as well as information pertaining to the Employee’s "next of kin". Also unique in this Hand Geometry Scanning Application is that a Biometric Database is located at a different place other than the Nuclear Site, which means Business Continuity in the face of Natural or Physical Disaster, and keeping all of the Biometric Information and Data with regards to each employee extremely private and inaccessible to others. For instance, "This is all controlled remotely via a centralised database located off site and the access points only interrogate the database once entry is requested. This added measure means that an individual’s data is not stored at each biometric entry point which increases security whilst protecting the individual’s private details." (SOURCE: http://www.biometricnewsportal.com/biometrics_news3.asp?articleid=262949&arttitle=Hand%20geometry%20biometric%20readers%20controll%20access%20to%20the%20construction%20site%20of%20the%20new%20BNG%20plutonium%20storage%20facility).

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

The Hand Geometry Scanners at this Nuclear Facility in the United Kingdom is also being used in Time and Attendance Applications as well, in addition to its role in Multimodal and Physical Access Entry Security Applications. For example, if there is some sort of emergency at this Nuclear Site, all Employees have to be accounted for within 20 minutes: "Importantly, the system is able to track and monitor time and attendance across multiple sites and provide instantaneous muster reports in case of emergency evacuation. This means that management are able to report quickly on how many people are currently in any given area." (SOURCE: http://www.biometricnewsportal.com/biometrics_news3.asp?articleid=262949&arttitle=Hand%20geometry%20biometric%20readers%20controll%20access%20to%20the%20construction%20site%20of%20the%20new%20BNG%20plutonium%20storage%20facility).

The Hand Geometry Scanner is probably the about the oldest and most widely used of the Biometric Technologies which are available today. It can survive all kinds of harsh environments, including extreme heat and cold, tsunamis, hurricanes, flooding, etc. It is also a Self Contained Unit, and each Hand Geometry Scanner has its own Processing Power and Biometric Template database, but they can also work in a Client –Server fashion, as described here in this Posting.

Source for this Posting:  http://www.biometricnewsportal.com/biometrics_news3.asp?articleid=262949&arttitle=Hand%20geometry%20biometric%20readers%20controll%20access%20to%20the%20construction%20site%20of%20the%20new%20BNG%20plutonium%20storage%20facility

Latent Fingerprint Technology

Latent Fingerprints

Well, this is one of the very few times I have come across this term known as "Latent Fingerprints", after spending all these years in Biometrics. For the person who does not keep up with the Fingerprint Recognition every day like I do, you are probably wondering what is: "Latent fingerprints are often left behind on objects at the scene of acrime; Latent fingerprint images typically consist of fingerprint segmentsor portions of many different overlapping prints." (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5853)).So as one can see from this brief definition of it, Latent Fingerprints are very important to Crime Investigators as they collect evidence at a Crime Scene.

There is no doubt that there is a lot of evidence contained in Latent Fingerprints. But a prime disadvantage of them are that Forensics Examiners have to manually reconstruct the Fingerprint, and thus, this can greatly slow down the Crime Scene Investigation Process.

To help aid in this process, Biometrics/Security Vendors have come out with what is known as "Latent Fingerprint Matching Technology", and it works very similarly to the existing Biometric Technologies in terms of Verification and Identification. A key Biometrics/Security Vendor, known as "NEC Corporation", has just recently announced its Latent Fingerprint Algorithms and Technology have been currently ranked Number One via a Latent Fingerprint Test conducted by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, also known as "NIST". The Latent Fingerprint Test is known as the "Evaluation of Latent Fingerprints Technologies", also known as "ELFT".

NEC Technologies far surpassed the other Biometrics/Security Vendors when compared to their respective Latent Fingerprint Matching Technologies. How was NEC Technologies able to receive such a high ranking to be placed in the Number One Status? Well, it was a combination of things, specifically, "NEC's highaccuracy rate is achieved by the integration of improved matchingtechnologies, such as a low-confidence minutiae adaptive matching algorithm,a zone matching algorithm, and recently developed image processingtechnologies specialized for latent fingerprints, such as a latentbackground noise removal algorithm and a low-quality fingerprint ridgerecognition algorithm." (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5853).

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

The ELFT Test utilized to examine the various Biometrics/Security Vendors’ Latent Fingerprint Matching Technology is pretty stringent. Apparently, 835 Latent Fingerprints are compared against the known and established Fingerprints of 10,000+ individuals in question. Also, the ELFT Test has garnered wordwide acclaim, and is currently being used across all of the major Law Enforcement Agencies of the United States Federal Government.

All of my Postings this far with regards to Fingerprint Recognition Technology have been dynamic-meaning, the End User is Verified and/or Identified on the spot, using the image and quality of that particular Fingerprint at that particular point in time for Physical Access Entry or Single Sign On Solution Applications. I definitely need to write more about Latent Fingerprint Technology.

I am by no means even close to being an expert in Forensics, but this Technology can be obviously of great support for Forensics Investigators, with the end result of being able to speed the process of Crime Scene Investigations.

Source for this Posting:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5853

A Biometric Fingerprint "Switch"

A New Generation Of Fingerprint Reader???

A Major Leader in the area of Fingerprint Recognition, know as "Sagem Securité" and its Strategic Partner known as "Schneider Electric", have come out with a newer type of Fingerprint Reader, and it is called the "Harmony Biometric Switch". Sagem provided the Biometric Component of this Product, namely the Fingerprint Sensor, which is Optical Technology based. Schneider provided the "mechanical and electronic integration" component.

Here are some details of this new Product: "The biometrics integrated in the "Harmony" key switch combine user-friendliness (no key, badge or password that can be lost, forgotten, stolen or copied) with a high level of protection (uniqueness of access using fingerprint recognition) . . . Designed to operate fully independently, without an additional interface (PC), the Harmony Biometric Switch is simple to set-up since both its parametering and enrolment functions are quick, intuitive and directly performed on the sensor. Regarding installation, its compactness enables it to be easily integrated in a control panel . . ." (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5849).

Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting

Sure, there are many Fingerprint Readers out there, but what intrigued me about this one is that is primarily designed for heavy, industrial usage. Most of the Fingerprint Readers I have come across for Physical Access Entry Applications are used in Office Building type of scenarios, Multimodal Solutions (especially with regards to Single Sign Solutions), as well as Time and Attendance Applications in medium sized Environments.

Usually I have found it is the Hand Geometry Scanner which is used for heavy, industrial usage, not the Fingerprint Reader. So in my view, it is unique to see a Fingerprint Reader positioned in this regard. I will keep my eye out for sure and see how this Product makes it in the Marketplace.

Source for this Posting:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5849