Biometrics Security News and Information

How To Translate Customer Interest Into Sales

Interest Keeps Growing

According to some of the latest market research out there, there is seems to be a continued interest in Biometrics.  I am not talking about interest on part of the consumer at a macro level, but at a micro level.  The market application which seems to be getting this latest surge of interest is the banking and financial sectors. 

Here are some of the details:  “Javelin Strategy & Research’s latest research report — “7th Annual Authentication Report: Weakening of Knowledge-Based Authentication Provides New Opportunities for Customer Acquisition and Retention” — presents details of the authentication methods that financial institutions (FIs) can use to secure remote banking channels for online, telephone, and mobile customers and assesses consumers’ comfort level using these technologies. Javelin conducted online surveys with almost 4,300 consumers and interviews with authentication technology vendors to compile key recommendations on how FIs can leverage authentication methods to acquire and retain customers who currently use or are interested in using remote banking channels . . . “Our research shows that almost two-thirds of consumers are interested in using biometric authentication,” said James Van Dyke, President, Javelin.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9296/). 

My Take

As you can see from up above, some 4,300 respondents were polled and involved in this recent survey.  I do have to admit, that when compared to other market research I have written about, this is a very specific one.  And I think that is good, so the Biometrics Industry will exactly knows where the consumer stands in their interest in Biometrics.  Here, it is in the way Security is implemented when customers try to access their financial information via the internet, phone, or wireless.  According to this research, the one traditional form of authentication, which is known as “Knowledge Based Authentication”, is fast losing momentum. 

Under this Security method, you are authenticated by something you know – which is very often a password or a PIN Number.  Thus, the overwhelming positive response for Biometrics (almost 2/3).  Here is where I will add my two cents worth.  Back in the last decade, I used to have my own Biometrics business, in which I tried to primarily sell fingerprint and hand geometry scanners.  I spent a lot of time marketing, and I too, generated a lot of interest in the stuff.  But that is where it ended.  I could not translate that strong level of interest into sales.  It just seemed like that the potential customers simply hesitated at buying.  Who knows the individual reasons why this was so, but it is in general human nature to say you like something, but when you have to actually act on it, that is where the decision making process takes a 180 degree turn. 

I guess the people I has sales appointments with simply thought Biometrics was a sexy tool, James Bondish.  What I am trying to get at is that there will always be a strong interest and as well as a continued growing interest in Biometrics.  But that interest has to be converted into strong sales.  I guess this basic principle of sales and marketing is true for any industry.  But the Biometrics one has an even greater hump to cross, before the $$$ start rolling in.  So what is the best way to do this???  Well, the market research as described here, hits the nail on the head.  It all comes down to basic hand holding and educating the potential customer about Biometrics.  People in the end are not going to be dazzled by all of the fanciness and sexiness involved (that is extremely short lived), but rather, what they will remember is the fact somebody reached out to them, explained in the most crudest terms what Biometrics is all about, and how it can quickly meet their Security needs. 

Hand holding, that’s all it comes down to.  Us humans as a species love to be babied and cared for.  And, I believe, that’s all the Biometrics Industry really needs in order to propel all this interest into a strong level of sales and revenue.  True, the glamor can help, but in today’s times, it is all about good old customer service, like it was back in the 50’s and 60’s.  This quote to a degree, reflects what I am trying to get at:  “Almost half of consumers in 2011 indicated that robust identity verification methods are compelling features when choosing a new FI. FIs can incorporate messages about successful authentication methods into marketing materials to attract new customers and retain existing ones.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9296/). 

Your Face And Eye As One

Two Is Better Than One

Yea, yea, you have heard me say it before who knows how many times, two or more layers of Security are better than one.  It only makes sense right???  With redundancy, if one system fails, the others can take over.  In the Biometrics Industry, this is known as Multimodal Security.  This has been an up and coming trend in the last few years, as SME owners are trying to get more for their IT bucks as they can.  I too have written about this on countless times, but today, in my search for some exciting news today, I came across a rather interesting type of Multimodal system. 

So, here we go:  “AOptix Technologies, Inc., (AOptix) (www.aoptix.com), a leading developer of advanced biometrics-based identity solutions, today announced the latest addition to their growing family of biometric products, the InSight Duo, the world’s first biometric system with simultaneous ISO standards-compliant iris and face capture. Positioned to meet the high throughput requirements of border and aviation security while providing a superior user experience, the InSight Duo delivers effortless iris and face capture within seconds from a distance of 2 meters.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9290/). 

My Take

OK, OK, I know what you are thinking, “What is so great about this???”.  Well, upfront, really.  It is just about the same as other Multimodal Biometrics out there.  But look deeper, and you can see some differences.  First, in the solutions I have written about before, the Biometric Technologies involved primarily the iris of the eye and the finger.  So, as you can see, there is some proximity between these two biological parts of ourselves.  But since in this solution both the face and the iris, there is a lot of closeness between the two.  Really, one can’t say this to an absolute, because the eye is embedded from within the face. 

But this closeness offers some benefits.  Most importantly, if the customer chooses, both the iris and facial recognition template can be combined or “fused” into one (and even templates from legacy Biometric systems can be extracted as well), thus offering a what coin a “super biometric template”.  And, given the unique structure of the iris, this leaves for a very powerful biometric template in terms of rich features which can be extracted.  Second, because of this closeness, a single device can be offered to the customer.  In the postings I have written about in the past, these solutions came as separate devices, thus making configuration that much more difficult. 

Second, this Biometrics is ISO certified, which is a major QA credential.  To be honest, this is the first time I have seen a Multimodal solution like this certified at such a high level.  This means it can be deployed in number of mission critical areas where there are large groups of people walking around, primarily airport settings and sporting venues.  As far as I know, I don’t think there are really any certifications like this meant specifically for the Biometrics Industry.  In my view, there should be.  After all, achieving a major QA credential can only enhance the believalability and acceptance of the end user.  And more acceptance means more sales, and ultimately, more revenue (in other words $$$$$).

Time To Forget Your Password

Here It Comes . . .

OK, well in the last week or so, I have been mentioning more than normal about Smart Cards.  Most of the writings have dealt with projections into the future, or how the Federal Government is the biggest customer and awarder of contracts.  But, today, I bring you some different content in regards to a specific application of it. And that is, the ATM Card.  We all have one (well, most of us do, I don’t have one, everything goes on the good ‘ole Discover Card), and some us couldn’t live without one, especially when it comes to getting some much needed cash.  But now, there is going to be a unique type of ATM Card coming out, and this one used Biometrics (primarily Fingerprint Recognition). 

The details:  “President & CEO of SmartMetric, Inc. C. Hendrick, said that the company's advanced integration of a fingerprint scanner inside a SmartCard provides the company with a technological platform that when combined with the credit card industry standard EMV application allows for the next generation of Banking and Credit Cards to be Biometric Fingerprint activated Cards. Thereby introducing a higher level of security then what is available to date on Credit and ATM Cards . . . SmartMetric has overcome the least secure aspect of the Chip & Pin cards in its reliance on the least secure aspect, namely the use of a "PIN" with the advanced security of Biometrics.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9284/).

My Take

Really, there is nothing new about having Smart Cards work as ATM Cards in the banking and financial industry.  For instance, at the end of last year, there were almost 1.3 billion of these cards in use worldwide, and some 15+ million terminals supporting this technology also implemented worldwide.  You may be wondering at this point what does EMV stand for??? 

Well, basically it is an acronym for a banking industry standard which allows for the secure use of Smart Cards to withdraw cash.  Some more explanation on this:  “EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard and VISA, a global standard for inter-operation of integrated circuit cards (IC cards or "chip cards") and IC card capable point of sale (POS) terminals and automated teller machines (ATMs), for authenticating credit and debit card transactions . . . It is a joint effort between Europay, MasterCard and Visa to ensure security and global interoperability so that Visa and MasterCard cards can continue to be accepted everywhere . . . The EMV standards define the interaction at the physical, electrical, data and application levels between IC cards and IC card processing devices for financial transactions.”  (SOURCE:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMV). 

So, nothing new about this, right???  Well, actually no.  There is one piece about this Smart Card Technology which totally caught my eye.  And that is, there is no need to remember a password or a PIN Number.  All of this resolved through the use of Biometrics.  Keep in mind, that with many types of Biometrics applications, especially those that are used on a large scale (such as physical access entry into a warehouse), the end user still has to present a PIN Number of sorts (or even a password), which is used in conjunction with that particular Biometric Technology (in this case, I am thinking of Hand Geometry Recognition).  This serves to act as an extra layer of protection, think of you will, a rudimentary style of multi modal security.  But with this application as described in this posting, there is none of that.  Simply enter your card, and withdraw all the cash you want. 

While I think this is personally great, look at the flip side.  What if the Biometrics technology at a particular ATM location fails . . . then what does the customer do???  I wonder with this Smart Technology described, if there is another back up solution in place, in case something like this happens.  Hey Biometrics is also prone to failure and collapse!!!  Another thought:  Why can’t this solution be extrapolated to the level of the more complex Biometric applications, so that PIN’s and Passwords will be permanently removed from our vocabulary??? 

I think that would benefit society greatly, especially IT teams from the smallest to the largest corporations.  This Biometrics Smart Card won’t be implemented until Q1 of 2012, so hopefully by then we will know if a new trend will be set forth in the Biometrics Industry.

A World Of No Contact

A Contactless World      

As the world becomes mobile, there is also another de facto standard which will be appearing:  contactless technology.  Meaning, in order to open a door, or log into a computer, there is no need to touch anything.  All you have to do is flash what is known as a smart card.  Although the commercial applications of are still limited (though the potential is unlimitless), it is going to be a booming industry, and trend.  At least, according to some recent market research. 

The goop:  “Contactless smart card shipments are forecast to increase from around 950 million in 2010 to 3.5 billion in 2016. This is one of the conclusions drawn from IMS Research’s recent report “The World Market for Smart Cards and Smart Card ICs – 2011 Edition. . . According to Don Tait, one of the authors of the report, “In 2010, around 15% of smart card shipments are estimated to have been contactless. This is projected to increase to over 30% in 2016 . . . “Contactless bank cards are believed to drive much of the growth in the microcontroller market during the forecast period. The People’s Bank of China announced plans (in March 2011) to convert China’s debit and credit payment cards to smart cards. This announcement will have a great effect on smart card shipments from 2013 to 2015. It is believed that where contactless payment and banking cards are used in China, they will be dual-interface cards.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9279/).

My Take

As you can see from the above quote, and as I have mentioned, contactless technology is here.  950 million smart cards is not a smug amount.  But keep in mind, this growth as detailed above is not expected to happen over night, all of this is projected to happen over a period of time, up to 2016.  It is also important to note that this growth rate is not going to occur across all market industries, it is only expected to happen across just a few.  According to the market research, the main industries for growth will be the financial, government (but of course), healthcare, transportation, and physical access entry.  But, within these few segments, there is the tremendous potential, in application subsets. 

As far as I know, it appears to be that physical access entry is the dominating market here.  And just within this, there are a whole multitude of applications which can be served . . . from turnstiles, to high rises, to warehouses, to name just a few.  It is these subsets which will be the catalysts for growth.  But of course, you cannot forget geographic location either.  The bigger the population, of course, the bigger the demand.  This is best exemplified by China.  It is projected also that this country will be the biggest in terms of demand, especially for the financial sector.  And although it is not specifically mentioned, I am sure India will follow suit just as well.  Wherever there is contactless and smart cards involved, there is always the room for Biometrics. 

And, I am sure that this growth in contactless technology will also spell a great boon for the Biometrics Industry, as people will need to be positively identified and verified.  My primary concern is that as all of this unfolds, everything we do, or even own, will be tied to just one thing.  We are seeing it with the Smartphone.  As I have mentioned previously, it is an extension of our personal and professional lives.  Everything we do is literally tied to it.  Lose this, and we are completely paralyzed.  Such is my fear with the contactless smart card.  What if we lose it???  How will we enter a building???  Or how will the ER personnel know about our medical history, before they prescribe medications???  Or how will we pay for something???  These are just things to think about, of course. 

Remember, having everything tied to one thing (such as the contactless smart card) is extremely convenient, but once it is lost, we will be completely paralyzed, without any backups or manual procedures in place to get us out.  I guess what I am trying to get at is, yea, technology is great, but there is still room and a need for the old fashioned ways of doing things and conducting business as well.

Monday Morning Good News

Good News Biometrics

Well, yea, as I take my lunch break from work, I watch the markets, and look even more disheartened.  I keep saving money, in hopes of building a nice nest egg, and today, it just all seems for naught.  But, hey, who am I to complain?  I am very much sure that there millions upon millions of people around the world who feel the way I do, but probably have much more at stake than I do.  So, all I want to hear today is some good news, what ever it is.  And I found it, on a topic I love most to write about:  Biometrics. 

So here we go with the details:  “Eurotech, a supplier of embedded technologies, products and systems, today announces Cross Match has issued a $1.5 Million purchase order for the Catalyst TC module for a homeland security and defense application. Cross Match is ramping up production of the handheld device due to increased customer demand and the Catalyst TC modules will be delivered over the next 12 months . . . The Cross Match product is a homeland security and defense solution that also offers optional 3G communications support and built-in wireless networking capability that allows field personnel to access remote databases as part of a biometric identity solution.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9258/).

My Take

So, what’s the good news?  Well, it comes across a number of fronts.  First, is that we are seeing green dollar signs here.  True, it probably is not the highest dollar amount Biometrics contract awarded, but in these weeks of market turmoil, seeing some green is a sure sight for sore eyes.  Even to me, although it is not my own money (wish it was though!!!). 

Second, sure I have written about partnerships being formed in the Biometrics Industry to come up with solutions and products to meet the exacting needs of customers, but this is unique in the sense that a Biometrics Vendor is needing a component from another Security Vendor in order to complete its product design for a Federal Government contract.  It is not the partnership where it is “you scratch my back, I scratch yours”, rather it is a valid business transaction, where actual $$$ is crossing hands. 

Third, as you may have read in a Posting from a couple of days ago, I wrote about how the Federal is the biggest customer at the present time for the Biometrics Industry???  Well, today we are seeing for the first time some serious spending in the private sector.  Let’s just hope this reverberates on a much grander scale, and we see more of these kinds of Biometrics coming through worldwide.  Although the end resultant is a solution for the Department of Homeland Security, by the way it sounds, it seems like that it is an application for military purposes. 

And of course, our armed forces need all the technological help they can get when capturing terrorist suspects, especially where remote connections to databases is needed most in the rugged terrains.  I just hope that as we begin this week, more good  news like this will abound, and even so for our rattled financial markets, worldwide.

Mexico In The News

Our Neighbor To The South

As the news of the European Union dominates our every day news headlines, there is one country which has eluded the escape of the media thus far.  And, as the title suggests, it is Mexico.  It is a land of both intrique, mystique, but yet has a ton of lawlessness attached to it.  And in fact, it has been a long time for me to see Mexico in the news, especially when it comes to Biometrics.  But today, that is all slightly different.  Today, I came across a Press Release in which it was announced that the Mexican government is taking extraordinary steps to help curtail document fraud, focusing of all things, in the automotive industry. 

The Security Vendor mentioned is known as “Pagemark Technology, Inc.”, and here are the details: “Pagemark Technology, Inc., a leader in document, digital information and brand protection solutions, including counterfeit prevention, authentication, and mass serialization, today announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Accesos Holográficos, located in Mexico City, Mexico, to address the growing problem of counterfeit in High Value Documents. This agreement will allow Accesos Holográficos to deploy Pagemark’s Pelta 2D based covert barcode technology in a wide range of security applications . . . Pelta codes are secure machine readable 2D barcodes which retain baseline characteristic and functionality of a standard 2D barcode while including covert features.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9272/).

My Take

Sure, I have written a few times about Document security before (and even witnessed first hand actual solutions back in the late 90’s-yea, a bit outdated I know), but this is a rather unique solution.  For instance, rather than having to rely upon specialized inks, or even specialized reader document reader hardware and software, this solution even allows for Smartphones and Webcams to make the distinction of what is a real document and what is a counterfeit one.  Bar code technology is the primary technology here, although there was no specific mention of Biometrics at all (though it can be used, especially the Behavioral Biometrics, such as Signature Recognition-I think even the Physical Biometrics can be used here as well).

When I first got into Biometrics very early in the past decade, I remember that the critical issue at the time was with the entry/exit of illegal immigrants from Mexico into the United States, and vice versa.  Heck, I even remember when Lou Dobbs was at CNN, that is all he ever talked about on his nightly shows.  Really, to get off the subject, I sort of miss him.  He is about the only news anchor who could speak the issues the way they were, without any type or kind of political bias.  He truly brought some gut wrenching issues about illegal immigration.  And when I first started blogging, illegal immigration was also a hot button topic.  But now, it is Europe, most especially Italy and Greece which are pervading the headlines of today. 

Illegal immigration for sure will take a backburner now, as all of these nations try to resolve their debt crises.  My only concern is that with all of this in the limelight, illegal immigration will take a back seat, and the problem will only get much worse (if it has not already).  Back then, all of the presidential debates were about illegal immigration, now it is all about jobs and debt recovery.  It is really good to see the Mexican government taking some proactive steps in order to establish a sense of normalcy in the country. 

Obviously, documents are a very integral part and corner of every society, thus there is the strongest need ever to protect all of them now, especially when counterfeiting can be so easily done.  So, why can’t the Mexican government go one step further and try to implement this type of Security solution for its own passports and other forms of identification??? 

Remember, especially in the world of Security, the term “documents” just does not mean another piece of paper.  It is anything which confirm, or help to confirm the identity of a person who is traveling.  It can be everything from the traditional paper passport to the e-Passport, to even a Smart Card holding the Biometric Templates.  So, hopefully, the Mexican government includes all of this in their definition of document Security as well.

To The Federal Government: Stay Out Of Capitalism!!!

More Federal Government Domination???

We keep hearing about the Federal Government everyday in the news, given the current financial turmoil in Europe (personally, I say let Greece and Italy default, and get it out of the way so that our own financial markets can breathe a bit easier). 

Well, today we hear about them in the Biometrics Industry, so here we go with the details:  “MorphoTrak announced today the opening of its new facility in Federal Way, Washington. MorphoTrak’s international parent, Morpho, is the world’s market leader in Identification and Biometric Technology. The new facility will serve as one of MorphoTrak’s Design Centers and support its US Federal Business . . . “Our new corporate campus in Federal Way is an ideal location for a technology group of companies preparing for steady growth. We are very pleased and look forward to integrating with the energetic business community in Federal Way” said Daniel Vassy, President and CEO of MorphoTrak . . . Over the last ten years, identification systems for law enforcement and civil government applications have expanded rapidly. With this market growth, MorphoTrak needed a larger facility to accommodate workforce expansion and build for the future.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9267/). 

My Take

As many of you know out there, I am often very critical of the Federal Government.  True, one good argue that we have the best one in the world, but certainly, it very much has its flaws.  I have written about the Federal Government being the dominant player in the Biometrics Industry, both from a buyer and seller standpoint (especially with the awarding of lucrative contracts).  In the last couple of years, it has been the Federal Government being the major supplier of cash inflow into our industry.  And really, nobody can put the blame on anybody else, because it is primarily the current economic situation that we are in which has driven us to this point.  You hardly see any spending by the private sector into the Biometrics Industry except for the sporadic and random ones. 

I mean can you blame the private sector??? Spending on a Biometrics infrastructure can be deemed by many SME’s to be more of a luxury item than a necessity.  And I do have to admit, and in fact, I am happy for the fact that this Biometrics Vendor is enjoying good success with having the Federal Government as a huge customer.  For sure, opening a brand new facility just for this signifies major growth and revenue expansion for them.  And of course, with the opening of a new center, it means more jobs will be available (according to the Press Release, it is about 140 new positions already filled). 

Hey, I am all for jobs, believe me.  But my concern is that of the long term.  There are many dire predictions out there that the United States, and Europe, will see very anemic growth at best in the next five to six years.  So, this translates into much less spending by the private sector into the Biometrics Industry, and the balance scale will weigh much more heavily towards the Federal Government for being the prime source of revenue.  I am simply afraid that our own Federal Government will have, over the years, too much of an upper hand in our industry as a result of all of this.  The Biometrics Industry has a lot of potential to offer in terms of Security and social needs, and I am afraid all of this will be mired down into massive amounts of red tape and buracracy if the Feds keep becoming our biggest customer. 

And my fears will only resonate greater once there is an upturn in the macro economy.  For example, once this happens, the Feds will probably more than likely reduce their spending on Biometrics as they would like to see free enterprise reign in yet once again.  But, there will probably be a fairly long lag time until the private sector picks up spending on a huge scale with Biometrics.  And if the Biometrics Industry becomes too dependent on the Feds, this lag time could spell a micro recession within our own industry until private sector spending picks up.  What the Biometrics Industry needs is a balance of both worlds. 

But right now, this task will be very difficult to achieve.  Really, in the end, it comes to providing to good ‘ole fashion customer service if the Biometrics Industry is going to win the hearts and minds of the private sector, especially the SME’s out there.

Tall Buildings Recognizing You

Tall Buildings

Here in Chicago, and even in the surrounding suburbs, there is a common theme amongst the landscape here:  large and very tall buildings.  Of course, this is to be expected in just about every big city, in just about every corner of the world.  If I remember correctly, I think one of the Emirates in the UAE has the distinction of having the tallest building in the world, and hey, Chicago has its claim to fame now of having the tallest building in North America, which is being that of the acclaimed Sears Tower.  In these large buildings, there is often the mayhem associated of mass migrations of people entering and exiting (especially during the lunch hour and after work). 

In order to keep track of who is whom, Security guards are often used to monitor the inflow and outflow of people, and to ascertain the visitors from the herd of people.  This all used to be a manual process, where you have to walk up the information area, flash a driver’s license, and boom, you are given a badge with access to virtually all parts of the building.  Well, now that is all about to change with the introduction of what is known as the “VIOSK”, developed by a Biometrics Vendor known as “Argus Global”. 

Here are the details:  “Known as VIOSK, the visitor management kiosk is designed to process large volumes of people in areas where security and speed of processing are paramount, for example in: corporate head quarters, office buildings, government agencies, data centres, and correctional facilities. Biometric identification ensures only those who have trusted relationships are allowed access, and at an allotted time or with nominated people. VIOSK manages visitor profiles; synchronisation of calendar appointments; arrival and entry notification via email or SMS; movement; relationships with external personnel; and departure. VIOSK ensures compliance with OHS requirements, it can print customisable photo based visitor passes, and it provides tracking and security alerts. VIOSK also comes with a range of reporting features to suit varying needs . . . what makes VIOSK so attractive is its simple and easy to use interface. Visitors can self-enrol, check in for their appointment, and print their own day pass from the VIOSK terminal. In high security environments, where passage is controlled by staff, they are delighted with how simple VIOSK is to use.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9263/).

My Take

Sure, I have heard of kiosks, even the ones that dispense pharmaceuticals.  But this is the first time I have heard of a self serving kiosk designed mainly for visitor management, and which also makes heavy use of Biometrics.  The benefits of this solution are clearly mentioned up above in the quote.  But I should add that this solution with a majority of the Physical Biometric technologies which are available today (and even including Vein Pattern Recognition, which I personally think will dominate this kiosk system).  Also, this solution can be used with any Smart Card Technology out there, and even work as a standalone device, or as part of a client server network. 

So imagine if you will, a Biometric Device, but magnify by a scale of 10, and that is what you have here, but obviously much more sophisticated.  But as I write this Posting, a few thoughts come to mind.  Remember above I wrote, where under current policies, one has pretty much free reign after they get a visitor’s badge???  Well, why can’t this kiosk be used to limit the points of entry a visitor is allowed to go into after they are issued this Biometric badge???  But of course, this is also heavily dependent on the fact if the office to where the visitor has to go to also has a Biometric system installed as well.  Another thought I also have in mind is that suppose a person is issued this Biometric badge, what is preventing them from handing off to another person, whom they know??? 

I mean after all, this is was a machine issued Biometric badge, with no human intervention involved with it.  Third, while I am sure this is a very viable solution, and can work great in large population settings, I still prefer to have the human element involved as well.  As one of my Security mantras always has been you cannot rely one or the other (meaning, technology or humans) to the extreme.  You have to have both in order to have a truly effective and great Security model.  My vision is why not use this solution at the main points of entry, and as the visitors go into the turnstiles, have a Security guard(s) to a quick scan of it, to make sure that they really whom they claim to be??? 

Adding this next element will only in still a certain confidence in the eyes of the public, and of course, will serve as a great back up in case the kiosk breaks down for any reason.

The Magic Of Latent Fingerprints

CSI-Ever Watch It???

To all of my subscribers out there, how many of you have seen this show??? Or have seen any other similar crime shows???  Probably the most common visual aspect we take away from these shows is the forensics investigator collecting fingerprints at the crime scene.  While these shows are obviously heavily dramatized, they do bring out one critical aspect which is so true in law enforcement.  And that is the role of the forensics investigator, and the importance of the quality of the fingerprints which are collected.  True, there are more pieces of evidence collected, but fingerprints (and also DNA) are amongst the most critical pieces of evidence which is used in a court of law. 

But sometimes, the quality of the fingerprints at the crime scene can degrade quickly (of course, depending upon the environmental conditions, and if the suspect has tried to wipe away their fingerprints).  Thus collecting what is known as “latent” fingerprints becomes important.  This is the leftover fingerprints which are still available at the crime scene.  I have written a Posting before on this, and ever since then, the technology has gotten better, very quickly.  A Biometrics Vendor known as “Human Recognition Systems” has just announced a new development in the technologies which are available for collecting latent fingerprints. 

The details:  “Human Recognition Systems (HRS) is pleased to announce the latest enhancement, lights out latent, to its recently launched product, MForce. The 'lights out latent' module delivers real time results for police, military and humanitarian organisation in disaster victim identification, crime scene investigation and watch list identification . . . With its combination of fixed and portable components, MForce systems synchronise to share the latest databases and watch lists keeping data up to date across disparate teams. Already delivering multi-modal biometrics combining finger, face, iris, DNA, the addition of latent matching completes the biometric capability meaning users have all their identification processes in one place.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9266/). 

My Take

So as you can see from the above quote, this latent technology solution is an add on to an existing Security solution.  The end result is that this provides a comprehensive solution to all types and kinds o law enforcement officials.  The benefits of this are immediate and obvious.  For example:

*The combined solution results in what is known as “livescan” and “latency”.  Meaning, not only fresh fingerprints can be collected, but so can the residual fingerprints which lie around later.  In other words, now with a single unit, at the crime scene and after the crime scene evidence can now be collected;

*This solution can work in the most rugged of environments (especially in times of natural disasters, where trying to identify victims and individuals becomes of prime importance), all data collected can be shared with other law enforcement databases in real time all over the world;

*This solution is easy enough and powerful enough to use that even non trained personnel, to a certain degree I am assuming, can collect and analyze latent fingerprints.  This means that the professional, trained forensics experts can spend their much needed and valuable time at the crime scene, collecting evidence which is fresh, and not tainted.  In other words, “This provides an excellent opportunity to allow forensic experts to continue working where they are most needed in the field without being called away but at the same time, it also empowers other individuals to perform latent matching – and on both accounts, this saves time and money.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9266/).

*The latent fingerprint images don’t have to be sent back to the lab for further processing, it can be done all at real time, when these residual fingerprints are found. 

As I write this Posting, an idea came to me:  One of the main constraints of Biometrics is that an entire image of a sample needs to be collected in order to fully ascertain the identity of somebody.  Meaning, these systems cannot take into account broken images, much like a latent fingerprint. 

So, why not take this technology (or at least the theories behind it) and create a solution so that all Biometric Systems can take into account broken images (such as of the hand, face, finger, voice, eye, etc)???  Just a thought on my part for the Biometrics Industry to consider….

The Smartphone Keeps Getting Smarter

It Keeps Adding On

Yea, we all know there is a lot we can do with our Smartphone, from running our small business enterprise to paying our monthly bills to even doing our holiday shopping.  But who ever dreamed of this application on your Smartphone: Biometrics??? Well, it is now possible. 

The Biometrics Vendor who has made this possible is known as “HID Global”, and here are the details:  “HID Global, trusted leader in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, today announced an industry first with plans to support the company’s iCLASS digital keys and mobile secure identity on NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphones. The new BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360 smartphones activated with iCLASS digital credentials will be compatible with the large installed base of iCLASS readers that are used for applications ranging from physical access systems in buildings, to student IDs, to applications that track time and attendance . . . This industry first is an important milestone in the deployment of mobile access and identity solutions using NFC technology on smartphones . . . Instead of using keys or smartcards, BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to use iCLASS digital credentials that can be presented for authentication by simply holding their NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone in front of a reader, just like they do today with a physical iCLASS smartcard.”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9262/). 

My Take

What happened to the days when a telephone was just used for calling???  Heck, I still remember my childhood days when all my family was just the rotary phone.  Getting push button phone was a big step, and then getting a digital was even huger.  Let’s face it.  The Smartphone pretty much dictates our every day lives, whether it is personal or business/office related.  It is just an extension of us, and my fear is that it will become our own leash.  I do have to admit, I am dazzled by new technology, especially in the way of Netbooks and Smartphones.  But I do keep myself grounded and ask myself:  “Is it a want or a need”???  It just amazes me how much is being packed on those Smartphones. 

And now, we are seeing Biometrics being implemented onto it.  Biometrics is being used to protect the Smartphone, and now it is being used for application in this area.  Based from the above quote, the primary two applications are for physical access entry, and time and attendance.  From what best I can understand of it, is really meant to replace the use of the Smartcard.  For example, in heavy duty physical access entry applications, such as in a warehouse setting, employees often have to swipe a card into the hand geometry scanner for a layered Security approach. 

This is often a Smartcard, with the PIN Number of the employee in it.  But now, rather than having to carry this card, all the employee has to do now is merely flash their Smartphone (in particular, the Blackberry).  I really would like to see an application of this in real life.  But from what I have read, one of my biggest concerns is that what if you lose your Smartphone???  The fear was first of Identity Theft, but now with the Biometric component added on, somebody could even enter your house, place of business, what have you.  And if you think about it, if you are one of those people who have everything packed onto your Smartphone, and if you lose it, you will be completely paralyzed.  Heck, it may even feel like your life is over.  For me, although the temptation to get a Smartphone is strong, all I ever need a cell phone for is just calling, and texting.  Nothing more. 

So, that is why I have the most basic Verizon phone offered.  And plus, from a power management perspective, it is great.  I can go for days without having to charge back up again.  Now with these Smartphones, because they house so many applications, power management becomes an issue.  Heck, even a battery life of 6 hours is great news.  So, when you look at your Smartphone, think of it as an extension of part of your life, not your entire life.  Finally, another concern I have is that, in the above example, the worker has to flash their Smartphone.  If a person is intelligent enough, all it takes is a basic network sniffer to intercept and collect all of the private and confidential information on that Smartphone.  Hmm, something else to worry about . . .