BHSUG 33 -
Inside This Issue |
|
1 |
More on CAFIS |
2 |
Visual Skin Prints |
3 |
Otocoustic Emmission Recognition |
4 |
The AU SmartGate |
5 |
Biometric Watch |
Biometrics
In Human
Services
USER GROUP NEWSLETTER
Volume 7 Issue 2
March 2003
33rd And Final Issue
This
is the thirty third and final issue of the Biometrics
in Human Services User Group Newsletter (BHSUG). BHSUG is a non-profit,
public interest, educational newsletter designed to generate interest in biometric
technology for human services users and others working in government. BHSUG subscriptions are free and are available to
all state, federal, provincial, educational or governmental organizations interested in
keeping pace with the latest developments in this field. The focus of BHSUG
is providing a platform for sharing biometric news, new ideas and innovations,
distributing findings, identifying best practices, and recommending useful standards for
human services users and others interested in this technology.
In 2003, biometric technology news continues to grab headlines. This issue brings readers
up to date on the continuing controversy surrounding the California CAFIS system.
“Skin Prints” debut as a new biometric application. While we are on the subject
of new biometrics, check out the latest on Otocoustic Emmissions Recognition. In
Australia, SmartGate received some unwanted publicity. Issue 33 of BHSUG is packed with links to articles from
newspapers, magazines and many other sources containing news about biometric installations
or applications worldwide. BHSUG has the latest Biometric Events Calendar as well as
Biometric Watch, containing news briefs, divided by technology, from all over the
biometric world.
Dave Mintie, Editor
BHSUG Final Issue
This is the final issue of BHSUG that will be published by CT DSS. What I thought would be a six month assignment to introduce a new technology to my agency back in 1995, turned out to be a fascinating 7 year up close and personal look at biometric technology through the eyes of government users. I went on to direct other projects for DSS but none held the fascination of biometrics. The potential of the technology for human services users was inescapable. I was fortunate enough to work for a terrific Deputy Commissioner that allowed me to continue to devote some time to the technology while moving on to other assignments.
I will be leaving CT public service in a few weeks. Along the way I have had the opportunity to get a lot of hands on experience with what it takes to implement a technology which, according to many accounts, is “still in it’s infancy.”
Back in ‘95 I didn’t know a fingerprint from an iris scan. Lot’s of folks I met along the way patiently helped me to get a good handle on the technology, answered my questions and pointed me in the right direction. Fielding calls from other project directors across the country made me realize that I was not alone in needing more access to current information. Government users needed an independent voice, forum and news source on biometric technology. BHSUG began to take shape as a newsletter that would fill that need.
BHSUG01 started out as a 6 page hardcopy mail-out. A ballooning subscriber base quickly turned it into an on-line WWW edition that has become one of the most widely read publications in the world of biometrics. One day I did a Google search and came across a web page with a BHSUG edition that was translated into Chinese. Thirty three issues later, BHSUG readers/subscribers number in the thousands from every corner of the globe.
In my “next career” I plan on continuing to write about and report on biometrics technology. This time I will be doing it for Biometric Watch, a new e-publication that will be introduced on May 1, 2003. You can watch for it at:
http://www.biometricwatch.com.
Hope to see you there!
Dave Mintie
Don’t Count CAFIS Out Yet…
California has the largest and oldest human services biometric ID system. The systems
success in preventing duplication of benefits is legendary dating back to the original LA
AFIRM program. While the California
Department of Social Services implemented the system statewide, efforts are underway to
repeal the program. In the last issue of BHSUG (issue 32), we reported on attempts by the
State Auditor to squash the system. Recently the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
voted unanimously to oppose the State's attempt to eliminate their anti-fraud Statewide
Fingerprint System.
Rita Saenz, Sacramento Director of the California
Department of Social Services responded to
the Bee's editorial http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/letters/v-print/story/6093548p-7049467c.html
When viewing this link, you will have to scroll
to the heading "Catching Welfare Cheats".
She writes:
"Fingerprint failure," editorial, Jan.
21: The Statewide Fingerprint Imaging System (SFIS) was intended to stop people from
applying for duplicate aid in food stamps. Low detection of duplicate fraud cases is both
a good outcome and an expected result. Preventing duplicate aid is the primary benefit of
SFIS and is why other states comparable to California (i.e., New York and Texas) have
implemented similar systems.
The Automated
Fingerprint Imaging and Match system was used as a basis for evaluating the effectiveness
of developing a statewide system to prevent fraud. An independent auditing firm evaluated
the data from Los Angeles (which represents 40 percent of the state's entire food stamp
caseload). The Legislature and the previous administration determined that the savings
achieved from preventing fraud in duplicate aid would more than justify the cost of
operating a statewide system.
At an annual cost of $11 million, California is using an
effective system to ensure that more than $7 billion in CalWORKs and food stamp benefits
go to the families who are truly entitled to them. These tough budget times demand this
responsible approach. Welfare fraud investigators have a saying: "For the needy, not
the greedy."
You can check out the following URL containing CA Assembly bill AB1057:
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm
New: Visual Skin Prints
Delean Vision, a
software company focused on computer vision for surveillance and security, announced a new
twist in biometric identification technology, Visual Skin Print(TM), and the first product
to incorporate this technology, DV Secure Login(TM).
The vendor notes
that Visual Skin Print(TM) is based on a simple idea: using the details of the skin for
authentication. It locates characteristic
areas of skin on the user's face or the user's hand, and then uses proprietary algorithms
to match these "visual skin prints." Delean Vision indicates that Visual Skin
Print(TM) relies on standard PCs and web-cams. Planned applications cover many markets,
including information security, access control and law enforcement. Delean Vision reports
that DV Secure Login(TM) is the first commercial product to incorporate this technology. DV Secure Login(TM) protects access to computers
and networks of computers.
I contacted Nicolas
Vandenberghe,
cofounder and CEO of Delean Vision for more details on the technology. He indicates “…We
measure what we call a ‘visual skin print’, that is the impact of the light
on the skin, which typically reflects a combination of colors, texture and shapes. For
example, a mole will be detected, as will a red vessel or a scar”.
Vandenberghe
indicates that DV Secur Login looks for local details of
the skin that can be used as a "signature." He notes that “…the skin
signature that we use is truly unique for each individual and our algorithms give us an
amazing tolerance to bad image capture.”
When asked about
template size, he responded “...In our approach, we keep a’visual skin
print’, a file where we keep all the details of the portion of skin we're using for
matching. Hence we store a larger piece of reference data, typically in the 100 to 150
KB”.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32470-2003Feb19.html
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/biztech/02/19/DEMO2003/index.html
Otocoustic
Emmissions Recognition
The UK's Guardian of January 18, 2003 reported
on the measurement of otoacoustic emissions (distinctive acoustic emissions) generated by
a subject's auditory function in reaction to sounds heard. At the end of the
article, I have added some additional references with regard to the same process. A
new way to confirm your identity when using a credit card is being tested which involves
hearing recognition. In this article, Sean Coughlan reports on the latest advances in this
field. He indicates that a research project at the University of Southampton is examining
whether hearing could be effective in the battle against credit card fraud. Coughlan
reports that “…In the way that a fingerprint has a pattern, so the acoustic
emissions have their own structure. And the research will examine the reliability of using
this as a distinguishing feature”. He indicates that one application might be to
guard against mobile phone theft, where an acoustic system could check on whether the user
matched the profile of the owner. Scientists at the University of South Hampton report
that a routine test carried out on infants to detect possible hearing problems may also be
used to distinguish between individual, mature adults. Researchers report that if clicks
are broadcast into the human ear, a healthy ear will send a response back. These are
called otoacoustic emissions. Coughlin indicates that “…this could mean some
kind of telephone receiver being used for card transactions … presumably in
conjunction with a PIN number. A cardholder would pick up the receiver and listen to a
series of clicks and the response would be measured and checked against the information
stored on the card and the records held by the credit card company or bank”.
For more
information on Otoacoustic Emissions try http://www.oae.it/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian_jobs_and_money/story/0,3605,876746,00.html
Smart Gate In The
News
Sydney, Australia
– A Reuters News report indicates that Australia has
launched the world's first automated passport checks using facial-recognition technology
on January 29, 2003. The system is reported
to have cost $1.2 million (Australian). The new SmartGate kiosk scans passport photos
and compares them with the faces of travelers. For enrollees, the new process takes about
10 seconds and replaces the former manual checks by customs officers. Non enrollees would
have to submit to the former manual process. Reuters reports that the first phase of the
project will apply only to crew members Qantas Airways Ltd. It is likely to be expanded to
staff of other international airlines, and other Australian airports, by 2004. The
SmartGate kiosk will only check a passport image with a person's face and will not be able
to compare those images with photographs in other databases.
Karen
Dearne, writing for News Com AU, February 27, 2003 edition, reports that “…the
much-heralded SmartGate facial recognition trial at Sydney Airport has suffered an
embarrassing setback, with two Japanese visitors fooling the system simply by
swapping passports. The automated system, which is a world-first attempt at using
photo-matching technology for border control, falsely identified both men as
matching the images contained in each other's travel documents”.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6048331%255E15306,00.html
Also see “SmartGate Joke, a Serious
Concern” also by Dearne.
http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,6069961%5e16123%5e%5enbv%5e,00.html
The National Business
Review also ran a piece on this entitled “Face Technology Fails At the Border”.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=5293&cid=3&cname=Technology
Biometrics in Print
According to Card
Technology , fingerprint and facial recognition are the biometric technologies
government scientists
says could secure America’s borders. They also cite an independent group that
recommends that iris also be considered.
http://www.cardtechnology.com/cgi-bin/readstory.pl?story=20030219IDNN282.xml
The February 2003
issue of Security Technology & Design
featured a focus on Biometrics. The lead article was written by Debra Spitler, VP of
Marketing for Assa Abloy ID Technology Group. Her lead story is entitled, “Biometrics
101: A Primer for the Physical Access
Control Industry.” It features an overview of inroads
being made in the security industry. She runs
down the whole nine yards of how to
successfully deploy a biometric solution, error rates, privacy concerns, acceptance by end
users, and the future of the biometric market. ST&D
Front Page Editor, Steve Lasky notes that
while a lack of standardization “severely
hampered” the growth of the biometric
marketplace, he writes “…Over the past 24 months, however, a considerable push
to bring interoperability and mainstream integration into the biometric arena has begun to
open doors and eyes.” The article should be available on line by the time BHSUG 33
goes to press.
According
to Government Computer News’ Dipka Bhambhani , the Defense Department’s Biometrics Management Office and West
Virginia University have developed a Graduate Certificate Program in Information Assurance
and Biometrics. The class of 25 students will be instructed in “…the uses for
biometrics, security system principles, the scientific foundation for biometrics, and
about social, psychological, ethical and legal policies in the field.”
http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/21251-1.html
Government Computer
news reports that the Defense Department’s Biometrics Management Office plans to
start a pilot as early as this summer for a biometric-enabled Common Access Card.
http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/21180-1.html
Information Week,
February 10, 2003 issue, has an article that headlines "Slow Acceptance For
Biometrics - Scanning fingers and eyeballs shows promise, but it's still too expensive for
most organizations" By George V. Hulme
http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20030206S0013
Computer World ran an
article in their February 21, 2003 edition noting that “…The Liberian
International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), which represents approximately 2,000
cargo and luxury cruise vessels and as many as 500,000 seafarers, is deploying biometric
identity cards for seafarers to help prevent identity fraud.” Writer Linda Rosencrance reports that LISCR, the
second-largest shipping registry in the world, wanted to help fight terrorism by using the
new biometric cards to improve the seafarer identification process. She indicates that
“…identity verification will be performed on vessels and at ports of entry by
Datastrip's DSVerify2D, a portable biometric ID card reader capable of decoding
fingerprints, text and photographs with one swipe. The reader includes an optical
fingerprint scanner that can match stored fingerprint templates with the cardholder's live
fingerprints on the spot, preventing identity fraud.”
http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/story/0,10801,78707,00.html
The February 17, 2003
issue of RFID Journal reports that American Express has installed a new access-control
system that relies on fingerprint templates stored on RFID smart cards.
“…Employees wave their card in front of a proximity reader and place their
finger on a fingerprint reader. If the fingerprint on the reader matches the encrypted
template stored on the card, a unique ID stored on the card is sent to the company's
central security system, and they are given access to the building or secure areas within
the building”. A template of each employee's fingerprint is reported to be stored on
a contactless smart card with Philips Semiconductors' MIFARE integrated circuit. American
Express has been working with Bioscrypt for more than a year on the project.
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/309/1/1/
Information Week,
February 10, 2003, has an article that headlines "Slow Acceptance For Biometrics -
Scanning fingers and eyeballs shows promise, but it's still too expensive for most
organizations" By George V. Hulme.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20030206S0013
Jim Fisher, writing for the Clarksburg Exponent Telegram, reports that The Department of
Defense has signed a lease to open an interim Biometrics Fusion Center facility on Main
Street in downtown Clarksburg. Fisher indicates that “…the contract is for a
three-year lease with two additional one-year options. The office is expected to open June
1 and will supplement the two other BFC test and evaluation facilities that are currently
located at Harrison-Marion Regional Airport”. Fisher reports that the
29,870-square-foot facility will include a state-of-the-art demonstration center and a
testing and evaluation laboratory space. Nearby West Virginia
University, has developed a Graduate Certificate Program in Information Assurance and
Biometrics. Great opportunity for a nearby biometrics work-study arrangement for students.
http://www.cpubco.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=13478cbgCurrentLocalNews?cbgCurrentLocalNews
Infosec News reports
in their February 19, 2003 edition that voice authentication is coming to mobile phones.
Domain Dynamics, the voice recognition company, has teamed up with ARM,
the RISC processor firm, to advance voice authentication on smartphones.
http://www.infosecnews.com/sgold/news/2003/02/19_04.htm
Jim Bronskill,
writing for the Ottawa Citizen, quotes Citizenship and Immigration Minister Denis Coderre
in the February 6th, 2003 edition as noting that “…A national identity
card for Canadians, possibly featuring an electronic scan of the holder's thumbprint,
would help curb the growing problem of fraud committed with stolen personal
information.” The proposal is not with out opposition and was condemned Canadian
Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski. Coderre indicates that “In the last 16 months,
the RCMP has received almost 10,000 complaints about identity fraud, with victims being
bilked of more than $10 million”.
http://www.canada.com/national/story.asp?id={35C83CA8-A16A-41D9-8AD2-92E8593544EF}
Card Technology
Magazine reports that the American Express Co., located across from the site of the
destroyed World Trade Center towers, has stepped up security at its offices using biometrics and
smart cards. Employees must authenticate themselves with chip cards and fingerprint
biometrics using Bioscrypt scanners at high-security doors within the building.
http://www.cardtechnology.com/cgi-bin/readstory.pl?story=20030206CTDN070.xml
John Lettice, writing for the UK Register
reports that US News Channel 4 , using a photo of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a headliner on
the FBI's 22 most wanted list to obtain a fake drivers license from an Internet web site,
for $150 US. Lettice reports that “…Department of Motor Vehicles chief
investigator William Devoe however commended the quality of the duplication of the barcode
security strips, particularly at the bargain price of $150. And it turns out the vendors,
when given the name John Walker, had thoughtfully used the address of a real John Walker,
rather than just making one up.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/29317.html
Writing
for EuropeMedia.Net, Joe Figueiredo reports that according to the Dutch financial
daily, NRC Handelsblad, “… Starting autumn, 2004,
Dutch passports are to be equipped with an electronic chip containing the passport
holders’ biometric details…. The chip’s introduction is to coincide with
the deadline of a new US law – to come into effect October, 2004 – that requires
visitors to the US to have passports capable of holding information electronically -
distinguishing biometrics such as fingerprints, or facial or iris scans”.
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=14676
The Washington
Times published an article by Audrey Hudson on 2/3/03 entitled “Biometrics a tool in
war on terror.” Hudson writes “The Bush administration is establishing a
national biometrics identification system to prevent terrorists from gaining legal entry
into the country and
says international standards should be established. The author also indicates that
“…Two al Qaeda suspects were recently taken into custody by U.S. immigration
authorities as they tried to enter the United States after their fingerprints were matched
with ones lifted by U.S. military officials from documents found in caves in Afghanistan.
Photographs could also be fed into the system to identify terrorists by facial
scans”.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20030203-67404832.htm
Manila, Philippines -
The Sunday Times February 23, 2003 edition reports that the Philippines will use automated, biometrics-protected, ATM type
machines for elections. Under the bill, each voter will be issued a card containing a
unique PIN and an automated machine equipped with a
biometric identification system to verify the bearer’s identity.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2003/feb/23/top_stories/20030223top11.html
A February 24, 2003
New York Times article by Barnaby Feder reports that no biometric system is perfect
when it comes to identifying individuals. He writes that “…as more systems are
deployed, businesses and institutions are discovering some less obvious challenges”.
He mentions that at North Florida Medical Center, several employees routinely put so much
lotion on their hands that the devices had trouble picking up accurate readings of their
fingerprints.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/24/technology/24HAND.html?ei=5062&en=c6684c8426e062f1&ex=1046667600&partner=GOOGLE&pagewanted=print&position=top
Biometric Watch
FACIAL RECOGNITION
Mark Townsend and Paul Harris wrote in the
February 9, 2003 edition of the UK Observer that
”…Security cameras will be able to zoom in on the faces of drivers entering
London's congestion charge zone as part of a sophisticated 'ring of steel' around the
capital”. They indicate that the new
facial recognition system is designed to protect the city from a terrorist attack and
allows hundreds of cameras to register individual faces while the images are being cross
referenced to intelligence and police databases of various suspects. UK defense experts
indicate that the new system “…could thwart a truck or car bomb, believed to be
at the top of al-Qaeda plans in Britain”. One outside source indicated that he
believed that Viisage technology is being utilized in this application.
http://www.observer.co.uk/politics/story/0,6903,892001,00.html
There is a debate on this at:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=9493&m=97575
Burlington, Ontario -
AcSys Biometrics Corporation, announced the release of its
Advanced Facial Recognition Software Developers Kit (AcSys SDK). The AcSys
SDK is available for immediate shipment for those looking to develop facial recognition
applications or to integrate the technology within existing security solutions. The AcSys
FRS Software Developers' Kit (AcSys SDK) contains face finding and face recognition
technologies designed for use in one-to-one verification scenarios, such as access
control, time and attendance, and one-to-many identification scenarios, such as
identification of faces in a crowd.
http://www.acsysbiometricscorp.com
Bowmanville, Ontario - Imagis Technologies
Inc., a developer of law enforcement software and biometric systems using facial and image
recognition technology, announced that the Toronto-East RCMP detachment located in
Bowmanville, Ontario, has purchased a site license of Imagis' CABS(TM) Computerized Arrest
and Booking System. Imagis' CABS solution is an integrated offender management system that
features traditional arrest and booking functionality with additional, pre-integrated
modules that enhance the investigative process. This includes easy integration with
Imagis' ID-2000(TM) advanced biometric face and image recognition technologies or
integration with Imagis' Integrated Justice System(TM), a regional information sharing
solution that facilitates data and image sharing between disparate databases.
http://www.imagistechnologies.com
Sydney, AU - Cognitec Systems GmbH (CSG), vendor of face
recognition technology, has successfully developed the face recognition software for a new
automated border crossing system at Sydney International Airport. The system, called
SmartGate, was officially launched by the Australian Minister for Justice and Customs,
Senator Chris Ellison. SmartGate, introduced by Australian Customs Service, incorporates
Cognitec’s FaceVACS face recognition technology to automatically verify the identity
of aircrew passing the border. The system, now in use since November 2002, is reported by
the vendor to be the first automated border crossing system using face recognition. The
SmartGate system will be extended to other Australian airports later this year. The
Cognitec Systems GmbH press release also indicates that New Zealand is considering to use
the same technology. Cooperating with Sydney based biometric solutions provider Biometix,
Cognitec’s FaceVACS software was integrated into the new border control system and a
streamlined kiosk-like terminal was set up in the airport’s arrival hall. CSG
indicates that the SmartGate system has provided for the automatic processing of around
3000 Qantas aircrew at Sydney Airport since November 2002. Crew members arriving at the
primary line, instead of presenting their passport to a Customs Clearance Officer, place
their passport on a reader, and look at a camera. After customs and immigration checks
have been automatically performed by the system and the facial features of the person have
been automatically compared to their stored features, the gate opens. The whole process
only takes less than 10 seconds.
Roger Clarke, a
member of the Faculty of the Engineering and
Information Technology
School at the
Australian National University and prolific writer on biometric topics, had lots to say
about the SmartGate trials at Sydney Airport in Australia.
http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/DV/SmartGate.html
http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/DV/BioAirports.html
Bedford, NH. - Imaging Automation announced
that UK-based BAA will deploy the company's iA-thenticate platform to authenticate
identification documents as part of a comprehensive security screening process for current
and potential employees. BAA will initially deploy this technology in its seven UK
airports, including Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport. According to Ian
Hutcheson, Director of Security at BAA., "BAA
currently screens its own 11,000 person workforce, as well as nearly 90,000 airline
employees from across the globe. With 20,000 new workers being issued airport badges each
year, it is essential that BAA can authenticate the identity of each individual to further
ensure our travel safety." BAA will use the system to help screen current and
potential airport employees at each of its seven airports' ID Centers, potentially
expanding deployment to its Australian and U.S. airports. The initial deployment will
include Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton
airports. The iA-thenticate platform will not only authenticate presented identification;
it will also maintain a database of each employee's photo and personal reference
information.
FINGERRINT
Orland, FL - 9g Products Inc. has launched
the INPRINT(TM) for secure storage of handguns at home. 9g’s press release indicates
that using military-grade fingerprint technology, the INPRINT device controls access to
important or dangerous items -- and opens instantly at the touch of an authorized finger.
Eliminating the need for access codes, combinations and keys, a simple touch on the finger
pad is all it takes to open the INPRINT in under one second. It can recognize up to 16
authorized fingerprints. The INPRINT is portable weighing 7 lbs, but it can also be
mounted onto a flat surface and is big enough for multiple handguns.
Round Rock, TX. - Biometric Access
Corporation (BAC), announced its SecureTouch Advanced(tm) retail terminal is available in
a new modular design and will debut it at the Food Marketing Institute's (FMI)
MARKETECHNICS(R) show Feb. 23-25 in Dallas. The base unit of SecureTouch Advanced includes
an intelligent pinpad and a large, backlit LCD display. Modular options are available to
support functionality for magnetic stripe cards, biometric finger image capture,
electronic signature capture, Smartcards, touch screen, digital camera, barcode scanner,
serial thermal printer and more. SecureTouch Advanced also offers Triple DES DUKPT
encryption (soon to be a security requirement by VISA), and the pinpad supports remote
monitoring, software upgrades and detailed system logs. It can be installed in both
employee-manned and self-service checkout lanes. This solution enables biometric identity
verification, electronic payment authorization (ACH checking, credit/debit, EBT and
loyalty programs), automatic age verification for age-restricted purchases, and payroll
check cashing. There is no need for consumers to carry a purse, wallet, checkbook or
plastic cards; with SecureTouch-n-Pay they experience the ultimate in speed, convenience
and protection of personal and financial information. The SecureTouch Advanced terminal is
also used in BAC's SecureTouch On-Time(tm) solution, a biometric time and attendance
recording system.
http://www.biometricaccess.com
Info Security news reported that
Miotec, the Finnish smartcard vendor, has partnered with Precise Biometrics of Sweden, to
integrate biometrics technology with its latest generation of cards.
http://www.infosecnews.com/sgold/news/2003/02/07_04.htm
Hartford, CT. –
Card Technology Magazine reports that employees at the University of Connecticut Health
Center are testing a smart card that
employees use with a personal identification number to access software applications on the
computer network. Datacard’s ID Works software is being used to issue the new ID
cards to its 4,200 employees. The cards also may have a magnetic stripe or bar code to
enable certain employees access to various parts of the hospital. Employees who need
access to the hospital’s computer network receive a Java Card-based ID card with a
16-kilobyte chip. The card stores a digital certificate to enable employees to digitally
sign and encrypt electronic documents. Doctors will use their smart cards to digitally
sign patient orders for tests and prescriptions. Only 500 smart cards have been issued to
date using Activcard’s Trinity software to manage users’ passwords for access to
200 computer applications. The Trinity software eliminates the need for employees to
remember a password for each application they need to access. The Trinity software allows
the hospital’s network security managers to add on different types of log-on methods,
such as using a biometric identifier, without have to write a separate software program.
The hospital plans to test having the doctors place their finger on a sensor and typing in
a PIN to log onto the network “…because the doctors are too impatient to insert
the smart card into a reader.”
http://www.cardtechnology.com/cgi-bin/readstory.pl?story=20030131CTDN969.xml
Minnetonka, MN - Identix Incorporated
announced that it has received a purchase order from the Department of Defense (DOD) for a
5.4 million user license for Identix' BioEngine(R) fingerprint recognition
technology. The DOD is using the BioEngine license to upgrade its existing
fingerprint record files of all DOD military and civilian personnel to Identix' most
recent fingerprint biometric technology offering. The upgrade will include all
personnel under the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) in both the Defense Enrollment
Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and Real-time Automated Personnel Identification
System (RAPIDS) programs. The DOD is using BioEngine in conjunction with Identix DFR(R)
2080 single fingerprint readers to capture and enroll the biometric fingerprint templates
of new DOD personnel prior to issuance of identity cards, as well as to verify the
identity of current DOD personnel before re-issuance of their RAPIDS and/or Common Access
Card (CAC). Identix hardware and software has been used by the DOD since it began to
capture automated fingerprints in 1996. Identix BioEngine(R) technology provides
fingerprint minutiae extraction and matching that supports the U.S. Government standard
BioAPI protocol and provides one-to-many search functions in addition to one-to-one match
functions. BioEngine Software Development Kits allow systems engineers to rapidly
develop biometrically-secure applications for their software applications to improves
security at the network and application levels with fingerprint verification and/or
identification.
http://www.identix.com
Milpitas, CA. - In a press announcement SecuGen reports that Frost
& Sullivan’s Annual Technical Insights Award for Technology Innovation is awarded
to the company. SecuGen Corporation is a provider optical fingerprint biometric devices.
Technical Insights, a division of Frost & Sullivan, recognizes outstanding
technological achievements by presenting science and technology innovation awards to top
companies in a variety of regional and global markets. The Award for Technology Innovation
was given to SecuGen's authentication solutions line of products. The Technical Insight's
Technology Innovation Award is a part of the Frost & Sullivan Market Engineering
Awards program, which is globally recognized as a standard for technology and marketing
excellence.
The Eurodac system,
which went live last week, allows European Union immigration officers to identify asylum
seekers’ records anywhere in the E.U. territories, and will be used to prevent fraud.
By comparing fingerprints, officials can check if an asylum seeker or foreign national who
is in the country illegally has already filed an asylum request in another E.U. state.
This is an AFIS based system being run out of the European Community’s headquarters.
The system utilizes a central database designed to store approximately two million
immigration files. Developer Steria reports that the system is capable of supporting up to
500,000 comparison per second with 99.9 accuracy rate. There is also a backup system in
the event of primary systems failure. Steria says it is using a fingerprint image
transmission (FIT) system integrated into the Eurodac system, which rapidly transmits
fingerprints and other biometric data to a secure centralized database.
Herndon, VA. -
Biometric payment transaction provider BioPay, LLC announced its bCheck(SM) biometric
payment service. BioPay's bCheck service gives consumers the convenience of paying for
purchases by the touch of a finger; cash, checks, credit and debit cards, and ID are not
required. One of the first bCheck
implementations will be done by Baltimore-based Santoni's Supermarket. Santoni's
Supermarket, a family-owned business in Baltimore, Maryland, with a customer count of more
than 1.2 million in 2002, will offer bCheck to its grocery customers in the first part of
2003. BioPay LLC reports that merchants can take advantage of bCheck to substantially
reduce processing costs, payment handling, and losses due to fraudulent transactions. The
company press release indicates that convenience is another benefit of biometric payments. Consumers no longer need to carry cash, a
checkbook, credit or debit cards or ID to make purchases.
Using a biometric, consumers can quickly pay for purchases and be on their way. Merchants accepting biometric payments speed the
check-out line, helping to serve all customers efficiently. BioPay indicates that bCheck
transaction costs are 75% less than the costs of credit card and off-line debit (check
card) transactions. bCheck is based on biometric technology used in Paycheck Secure(SM),
BioPay's market-leading payroll check cashing system.
During a short enrollment process, the customer gives the clerk his or her driver's
license or other ID for inputting into BioPay's database. At the same time, the customer's
index fingers are scanned. The customer's preferred checking account is also recorded. The
entire process takes less than two minutes and all the information is securely stored in
the BioPay system. Repeat customers can quickly and conveniently pay for purchases with
the touch of a finger; cash, checks, credit and debit cards, and ID are not required. To
make a purchase, customers simply enter their phone number and place their finger on the
scanning device and confirm their purchase amount. Funds are securely transferred from the
enrolled account to the merchant. The transaction is performed like a normal check
payment, but settlement is performed electronically and the customer's finger acts as the
signature on the check.
Mount Prospect, Il
- Count Me In, LLC, a provider of biometric time and attendance solutions for small and
medium-sized businesses, was awarded BiometriTech Magazine's 2002 Product-of-the-Year
Award for its Timecard Monitor product. The
winning solution uses biometric fingerprint recognition to identify employees and to
precisely record their arrivals and departures at work.
The
BiometriTech(TM) Product-of-the-Year award honors innovative products and services that
have made a positive contribution to the growth of biometric technologies. Count Me In was
honored for the innovative development of enhancements to Timecard Monitor.
Amherst,
NY. - Ultra-Scan
Corporation, developer and licensor of ultrasonic fingerprint matching technology, today
named Digital Healthcare, Inc. (DHI) of Cleveland, Ohio as a multi-year licensee. DHI will
use Ultra-Scan's livescan ultrasonic biometric readers and software with its own
technology for the automated coordination of healthcare benefits (COB) and other
electronic healthcare financial transactions. The technology will also be used to help
payors and providers ensure compliance with Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and record-keeping guidelines. Ultra Scan indicates
that the HIPAA regulations have set the stage for the use of biometric technology to
improve privacy, security and mission-critical business processes. Ultrasonic fingerprint
technology uses high-frequency sound waves to create a digital representation of the
fingerprint regardless of dirt, grease, ink, or other common finger contaminants that
plague optical and capacitant scanners.
Woodbury,
NY – Intelli-Check, Inc. a provider of document and age verification systems, and
Bioscrypt, Inc. a provider of advanced fingerprint technology, announced that they have
signed a Collaboration Agreement to integrate their respective technologies.The proposed
solution will combine the enhanced security provided by Bioscrypt's leading fingerprint
verification algorithm with Intelli-Check's patented ID-CHECK(R) technology to prevent
economic loss from check-cashing, credit card and various other frauds utilizing fake
identification and to provide an enhanced security system for access control at airports,
seaports, bus and rail terminals and other high profile infrastructure. The proposed
combined solution will store the fingerprint template in a 2D bar-code where it will be
read by the ID-CHECK(R) technology to perform user authentication. The user authentication
is performed using Bioscrypt's fingerprint recognition algorithm. This provides a secure
link between the user and the document enhancing protection against fraud and identity
theft underlying economic loss and security violations. ID-CHECK(R) is a programmable
Identification & Verification System (IVS) that reads information encoded in magnetic
stripes and barcodes (1D & 2D) of state and provincial driver licenses and authorized
identification cards and military IDs. With one swipe or scan, ID-CHECK(R) interprets the
validity of this information to protect businesses from economic loss and fines caused by
the use of fake, altered, tampered and expired ID cards. In instances where age
verification is necessary, ID-CHECK(R) also verifies that the ID shown at the time of the
transaction meets the minimum age requirement for purchases of regulated products such as
alcohol, tobacco and other age restricted products.
Minnetonla, MN - Identix Incorporated announced that Orthodontic Centers of America,
Inc. has completed development of a fingerprint-based time and attendance solution called
Timeclock, which utilizes Identix'(R) BioEngine(R) fingerprint matching technology and
interfaces with Identix BioTouch(R) USB 200 readers. OCA has been testing Timeclock
as a better means for recording employee time and attendance for the past two years and
has recently begun roll-out to its affiliate offices. OCA plans to deploy Timeclock
throughout its international network to provide a better means of recording time and
attendance metrics for all of its dental office affiliates and employees. OCA
estimates that full deployment will cover more than 4,000 users and involve the use of
approximately 2,000 BioTouch units. Orthodontic Centers of America is a provider of
integrated business services to orthodontic and pediatric dental practices. The company
develops orthodontic and pediatric dental centers and supports the business operations and
marketing aspects of its affiliated practices, thereby allowing affiliated orthodontists
and pediatric dentists to focus on delivering quality patient care.
HAND RECOGNITION
West Virginia - IR
Recognition Systems, the biometric component of Ingersoll-Rand's (IR) Security &
Safety Group's Electronic Access Control Division (EACD), announced that Diebold,
Incorporated has integrated the company's hand geometry technology into the access control
system at West Virginia University's Boreman North Residence Hall. Additional
HandReaders will soon be implemented at the Student Recreation Center. West Virginia
University is the first to offer degrees in biometrics and forensics identification.
Instead of verifying a card or code, the HandReader verifies the person who is at the
entrance. It looks at the three-dimensional size and shape of a resident's
hand. The result of ninety hand measurements, including lengths, widths, thickness
and surface areas, are converted into a nine-byte mathematical representation of the hand,
which is stored for later use and verification. A Boreman North resident simply
enters her unique ID number on the HandReader's keypad and presents her hand to gain
entry. Verification takes only a second. IR reports that the University of Georgia has
been verifying student meal passes in their dining facilities with HandReaders since
1989. Students at Johnson & Wales University in northeast Denver have been using
HandReaders to control access to their dorms and dorm rooms since November 2002. By
the fall of 2003, West Virginia University plans to install biometrics in all residence
halls and continue to explore its use elsewhere, including
dining halls.
http://www.handreader.com
Also see: http://www.diebold.com/whatsnews/pr/wvu.htm
IRIS
RECOGNITION
The March 2003
edition of MIT’s Technology Review had a great piece by Tracy Staedter in the
“Visualize How Technology Works” column that highlighted iris recognition
technology. (Page 73)
http://www.technologyreview.com/visualize/
Paris France - Sagem,
a provider of fingerprint identification systems and Iridian Technologies, Inc., a
provider of authentication technologies based on iris recognition, announced the signature
of a strategic agreement by which Sagem will adapt and integrate in its biometric
identification systems the iris recognition technology developed by Iridian Technologies,
Inc. Sagem will thus complete its solutions for application in government and public
safety such as fraud prevention, ID and driving licenses, access control, and law
enforcement by adding iris recognition to its technology portfolio.
Moorestown, NJ - Iridian
Technologies today announced the results of a new study regarding high-speed
authentication for large-scale databases. Iridian indicates that the study was developed
to answer the question "what is the average transaction time for one million
users?" Controlled performance measurements were performed in a test environment and
the results demonstrate an average transaction time of less than 2 seconds. The Iridian
press release indicates that they used commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software to
conduct the study. Iridian's Quality Assurance Lab loaded one million enrolled IrisCode(R)
templates onto a KnoWho(TM) Authentication Server running the Windows(R) 2000 Advanced
Server operating system. A white paper published by Iridian documents the findings
regarding how the KnoWho Authentication Server responds to enrollment/identification
requests with one million IrisCode templates in the database, how the server scales as the
workload increases, how it scales as the number of clients increase, and what is the
proper configuration for a given number of users. Iridian reports that "…This
scalability study confirms that iris recognition can increase user convenience while
improving security for large scale databases such as used in national id programs, border
control, simplified passenger travel and restricted access." Company officials plan
to continue performance testing with both Microsoft Windows and Sun Solaris(TM) operating
system platforms to obtain additional data that will be published in a later
addendum." To obtain a copy of Iridian's KnoWho(TM) Authentication Server Performance
and Scalability White Paper fill out the request form at www.iridiantech.com/news.php
SIGNATURE RECOGNITION
New York, NY - Security Biometrics, Inc.
announced the launch of BIOSign(TM), a biometric signature authentication solution
developed to replace text-based password and PIN logon systems in Microsoft Windows 2000
and XP Platforms. Powered by Security Biometrics' PenFlow(TM) technology, BIOSign(TM) uses
the user's unique biometric signature to allow logon access. BIOSign(TM) is reported to
maximize efficiency since users are not required to remember a password or re-key
incorrectly typed characters.
Vancouver, BC. - Security Biometrics,
Inc. announced its Datadesk Technologies division has formed a wholly owned subsidiary
"eMedRx Inc." based in Canada. This new subsidiary will focus on further
developing, commercializing and marketing eMedRx(TM) - an electronic medical prescription
system - to Physicians, Hospitals, Private sector Clinics, Extended Care Facilities,
HMO's, and Pharmacies in Canada and the US. The Security Biometrics press release
indicates that eMedRx(TM) enables authenticated electronic communication between
physicians and pharmacies. By using the unique Biometric Authentication capability of
PenFlow(TM), eMedRx(TM) ensures that only an authorized prescriber is writing the
prescription, by biometrically authenticating his/her signature. Using eMedRx(TM), doctors
can instantly prescribe from smart cell phones, PDA's, laptops and desktop computers.
Prescriptions can be transmitted via the Internet and by Fax directly from the physician's
point-of-care facility to the pharmacy. The pharmacy will now receive a clear and legible
prescription - securely authenticated. The pharmacy can use eMedRx(TM) to fill
prescriptions, update patient records, and communicate with insurance providers.
eMedRx(TM) will be able to link to existing drug intervention or point-of-sale software to
manage risk. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices estimates that less than 5% of
U.S. physicians currently "write" prescriptions electronically.
Austin, TX - Motion Computing, a provider of
ultra-mobile computing and wireless communications, announced the availability of Motion
M1200 Tablet PCs bundled with the Sign-On(tm) biometric security application developed by
Communication Intelligence Corporation. The Motion Computing press release indicates that
Sign-On is the first Tablet PC security feature using biometric signature verification to
help protect and secure user data from tampering or theft. By using advanced biometric
algorithms for authentication, Sign-On associates a handwritten drawing or signature with
a user's Windows password, allowing Tablet PC users to quickly log in with the stroke of a
pen.
http://www.motioncomputing.com/
VOICE RECOGNITION
Popular Science
Magazine’s Jessica Snyder Sachs writes in the March 2003 issue on how the Osama tapes
highlight a technical challenge in verifying the voice of the enemy.
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/article/0,12543,426271,00.html
Info Security News reports that Authentify and the U.S. Social
Security Administration are integrating a voice biometrics verification process the
telephone into the administration's Business Services Online Web site for live testing.
The site is used to electronically file W2 forms and wage reports. It utilizes an
automated outbound telephone over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and the
call is coordinated with an Internet session to deliver an interactive, real-time
verification solution. Info Security News also reported
that baggage handlers at
Australia's Melbourne airport have threatened to strike over proposals by Qantas to force
them to provide fingerprints for the airport security system. The Transport Workers' Union
(TWU) Victorian and Tasmanian branch report that the workers consider the move to be an
invasion of privacy.
http://www.infosecnews.com/sgold/news/2003/02/06_02.htm
Stephanie Gordon,
writing for the February 18, 2003 EE Times reports that “…UK based ARM Holdings
plc today announced that it has added a further two partners to its PrimeXsys Community
Program that will allow developers access to a voice authentication solution and an
electronic perception technology."
http://www.eetuk.com/tech/news/OEG20030218S0018
New
York, NY - IEEE Spectrum has issued a list of the top ten most technically sophisticated
cars for 2003 in the magazine's February issue. IEEE Spectrum surveyed cars in the current
or upcoming model year and selected vehicles based on the most significant technological
changes. The top ten ranked cars feature "techno-cool" technologies such as
fingerprint access systems; Bluetooth wireless technology; natural gas, zero-emissions
control; voice activated devices; and night vision. One of the manufacturers utilizing
biometrics was Saab. Their 93 version comes
equipped
with Bluetooth wireless technology that connects wireless devices that obey the
driver's
voice, such as cell phones, PDAs and computers, through a voice-control system.
Vocent Solutions Inc., announced the
availability of Voice Secure-Confirmed Caller, a packaged voiceprint-based solution that
automates the process of authenticating consumer identities in call center transactions,
significantly reducing the cost of agent-based authentication.Vocent’s press release
indicates that unlike solutions that use only pin numbers or knowledge-based content that
can be compromised, Voice Secure-Confirmed Caller authenticates people using their unique
voiceprints, combined with what they know. This
"strong authentication" approach provides enterprise call centers -- whether
they be agent, touchtone, or speech recognition environments -- with a biometric resource
that securely authenticates inbound callers without the need for specialized readers or
devices. Voice Secure-Confirmed Caller
prevents identity thieves from accessing private financial information or conducting
fraudulent banking transactions over the phone, even if an impostor has obtained profile
information such as the mother's maiden name or social security number.
Mountain
View, CA. - Vocent Solutions Inc., a provider
of voiceprint authentication solutions, unveiled a voiceprint authentication prototype at
the DEMO 2003 Conference. Along with 60+ new technologies presented, Vocent showcased a
voiceprint authentication prototype applicable to securely conducting e-commerce
transactions or gaining access to secure data in an enterprise network. This
prototype illustrates the vision of extending voiceprint authentication into IP-based data
networks, such as the Internet, giving enterprises a way to confidently identify consumers
beyond today's availability of voiceprint authentication in telephone applications.
Vocent currently provides packaged solutions for telephony-based voiceprint
authentication.
Voiceprint
authentication provides a practical way to combat identity fraud and assure privacy.
Vocent solutions incorporate a biometric approach to securely authenticate users
attempting to gain access to an account. Rather than using only passwords, pin
numbers or other knowledge-based content that can be compromised, voiceprints provide
strong authentication by combining "what you know" with "who you
are." This way, even if imposters find out personal information; e.g.,
account ID, social security number, or mother's maiden name, a voiceprint comparison would
prevent them from gaining access to on-line financial or health-related information, or
purchasing an item using a stored payment card. Vocent's prototype shown at Demo
2003 uses voiceprint authentication to control network access to sensitive employee
information.
Norwalk, CT. – TMC Media’s BiometriTech Newsletter
announced that Nuance and the company's
biometric voice authentication product, Nuance Verifier 3.0, was named a 2002
"Product of the Year". Nuance Verifier uses these voiceprints to deliver secure
telephone access and personalization without the use of passwords or PINs. Nuance Verifier
can also be integrated with a comprehensive deployment of speech recognition software and
scaled to accommodate thousands of users in many locations. In government, the U.S. Social
Security Administration is currently testing a custom voice verification solution
developed by Nuance partner Authentify, Inc. using Nuance products.
DNA
Los Angeles, CA. - Applied DNA Sciences,
Inc.(ADNAS), a provider of proprietary DNA-embedded biotechnology solutions that protect
corporate and intellectual property from counterfeiting and fraud, announced the
introduction of the first DNA-tagged label security system in the Northern American and
European markets. The company press release touts the product as having applications for a
wide range of consumer and industrial products that will be an effective deterrent to
counterfeiting. The patented biotechnology combines specially processed DNA with
anti-counterfeit ink, which can be applied to paper, cloth or plastic labels, garment
labels, printed onto logos or on any other surface. Labels are printed with proprietary
ink containing a unique authentication DNA code for each manufacturer. The labels can then
be easily tested for manufacturers' authenticity and traced to the authorized point of
origin. In addition, these labels can be instantly identified as containing DNA-tagged
label technology imprinting with a second level of a proprietary embedded DNA-instant
authentication feature. ADNAS reports that any item that can be duplicated can be
protected with the DNA label technology. A simple real-time field test can instantly
authenticate the presence of the ADNAS's tag. Using a specifically coded and proprietary
activation solution stored in a handy one-use swab, a simple wipe of the solution will
induce a predetermined color change in the DNA tagged ink used to print the label. This
proprietary biochemical reaction only occurs in the presence of the DNA tag, and cannot be
replicated in a fake label product. For further verification, a piece of the label can
also be sent to the lab for complete forensic DNA sequence analysis. Other
anti-counterfeit features are also added to labels to provide multiple levels of
protection, including copy protected pantographs, tamper proof die-cuts, florescent
printing, and microprinting.
ADNAS reports that by using bio-engineered
DNA as an invisible and highly specific identification tag, forensic-level authentication
of a tagged item verifies the manufacturer and source of the product. DNA tagging has the
ability to protect brand name products from counterfeiters' tools of the trade, such as
precision computer scanning and printing equipment. DNA tagging provides an extremely high
counterfeit barrier, because a counterfeiter can never replicate the unique DNA sequence
that identifies a tagged object.
OTHER NEWS
The Biometric
Consortium Conference BC2003 will be held September 22 - 24, 2003
at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA, USA. The BC Conference has established
itself as one of the premiere gatherings on biometrics. The September 2003 Biometric
Consortium conference will address the latest trends in biometrics research, development
and application of biometric technologies. It will also address the important role that
biometrics can play in the identification and verification of individuals in this age of
heightened security and privacy by examining biometric-based solutions for homeland
security (airport security, travel documents, visas, border control, prevention of ID
theft) as well as the utilization of biometrics in other applications such as point of
sale and large-scale enterprise network environments. The Biometric Consortium Conference
provides a forum to discuss government and commercial implementations and initiatives,
recent advances of the technology as well as biometric business models. They also examine
ongoing standards developments, research and evaluation of biometric technologies.
http://www.biometrics.org
Dwayne Blackburn
indicates that the 2003 US Government Biometrics Workshop has been rescheduled for March
6, 2003. Check the website for details.
http://www.biometricscatalog.org/2003gbw
Strategies for Public
Safety, Technology & Counter-Terrorism: Prevention, Protection & Pursuit
International Conference & Exposition will be held March 10-11, 2003, at the Sheraton
Bal Harbor, Bal Harbor, Florida. The conference will include a session on "Biometrics
- Managing Risk at our Borders." Presenters
will include Raj Nanavati, of the International Biometric Group.
http://www.rebootworldwide.com
In the February 12, 2003 issue of the New York Times, Jennifer Lee reports that government scientists are recommending a combination of facial recognition and fingerprint scanning technologies as the federal standard for identity documents to be issued to foreigners at 300 border entry points starting next year. Lee reports that “…The scientists' report, which has been submitted to Congress, is the first step in instituting body-recognition technology, known as biometrics, as a governmental tool on a wide basis”. Lee indicates that biometrics have been identified as a necessary means of improving the tracking of foreigners and the reduction of document fraud. In an extensive study conducted by the National Institute for Standards and Technology, databases containing 120,000 facial photographs and 600,000 fingerprints collected by the State Department, the immigration service and law enforcement agencies were utilized. NIST indicated that as databases grow, the ability to make accurate matches often declines. Lee reports however that scientists have been impressed with the results. She quotes Dr. Martin Herman, chief of the information access division at the institute as saying "…Facial recognition is extremely good, much better than we expected for verification," and that "…Biometrics is just part of the solution, it's not the full solution."
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/12/technology/12IDEN.html?tntemail0
A similar story appeared in Federal Computer
Week entitled “Biometrics Urged For Border” by Megan Lisagor. She reports that
“…Based on its evaluation of fingerprint and facial-recognition performance,
NIST recommended the following to Congress:
* At least two
fingerprints should be used to identify visa applicants
* A dual system of
face and fingerprint recognition should be used to verify the identity of visa holders at
entry points to the United States”.
Lisagor also
reported that NIST indicates that smart cards have the storage capacity to store two
fingerprints and a facial image.
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/0210/web-nist-02-11-03.asp
Government Technology magazine also covered
this news.
http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.phtml?channel=4&id=40526
New York, NY - On
January 13, 2003, International Biometric Group delivered its final report on the use of
biometric technologies to secure America's borders to the Executive Office of the
President of the United States, Office of Science and Technology Policy. Entitled
"Use of Biometric Technologies in the United States Visa Issuance and Border
Entry/Exit Systems," the 200-page report provides an analysis of the challenges
associated with applying biometrics to the visa issuance process and preventing
undesirable individuals from gaining entry. IBG
performed field interviews and observed visa issuance operations at U.S. consulates in the
Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. In
addition, IBG personnel examined INS inspection operations at several of America's busiest
air, sea, and land ports of entry. The USA PATRIOT and Enhanced Border Security and Visa
Entry Reform Acts together require the U.S. authorities use biometrics to detect attempts
to fraudulently acquire multiple nonimmigrant visas, incorporate biometric identifiers in
visas, and provide the ability to use biometrics to positively link a traveler with travel
documentation. The legislation also modifies
the Visa Waiver Program to require implementation of a process by which passports are
secured by biometric technologies in compliance with ICAO standards. The report addresses
the implications of recent legislation and provides an evaluation of biometric technology
options, design principles, pilot testing considerations, interoperability issues, field
implementation challenges and system procurement issues.
IBG employed its Large-Scale Project Evaluation methodology to evaluate the
exit-entry system, which will help identify the more than 500 million visitors per year
who cross the U.S. border through more than 400 ports of entry.
Minneapolis, MN. -
BIO-key International, Inc. announced the signing of a license agreement with 50 Below, a
technology provider of large-scale internet based programs and solutions for a variety of
businesses including: manufacturers, financial services, trade associations and insurance
agencies in the United States. 50 Below, which hosts over 10,000 Internet sites, provides
Internet based programs and solutions to companies such as Polaris Industries, Smith
Barney, Bridgestone/Firestone, Volvo Trucks, and more.
50 Below will use BIO-key's "True User Identification(TM)" software as an
added security feature improving the website
editing password system currently used by ourselves and our clients. Additionally, we will
upgrade our e-commence engine with BIO-key's biometric technology, removing the need for
client's customers to remember user names or passwords.
Rancho Cordova, CA.
- NEC Solutions (America), Inc. has
named Phil Scarfo as senior vice president of its Identification Solutions Division (IDS).
A provider of biometric identification systems, IDS provides fingerprint identification
and other business solutions for enterprise, law enforcement, government, and public
safety applications. Prior to joining NEC Solutions America, Phil was co-founder and CEO
of Imprivata, a software company that offers identity management systems for IT security.
Phil has also served as vice president and general manager of Polaroid's Identification
System and Biometrics divisions.
http://www.necsolutions-am.com
Exton, PA. -
Datastrip announced that its DSVerify2D handheld biometric ID card reader has been
selected as the exclusive mobile identity verification component of a $1.2 million
demonstration project awarded to BearingPoint, Inc. by the Department of Defense (DoD)
Biometrics Management Office. The DSVerify2D
is a lightweight wireless unit that contains a built-in biometric template reader as well
as text and photograph decoding capabilities, making it useful for rapid authentication of
DoD personnel in environments where wireless mobile identification is required. The
Datastrip pro reports that the project is the third in a series that is evaluating the use
of biometric technologies as an added layer of security for the DoD's Common Access Card
(CAC), a smart card with an embedded computer chip that is being adopted as the
department's standard system for verifying the identity of personnel requesting access to
military facilities and computer networks. The
current phase of the project is focusing on the use of biometric-based cards in a wireless
environment that eliminates the need to swipe cards through a reader. Datastrip's
DSVerify2D was selected as the mobile hardware component of the project because of its
ability to simultaneously decode text, photographs and biometric data stored in disparate
formats, function in stand-alone mode without connection to a computer network, and
accommodate a wireless receiver for "contactless" operation. The combination of
wireless receivers in the Datastrip units and wireless antennas in the CACs will permit
identification information to be decoded via radio frequency simply by waving the card
near the reader. This contactless
application has the potential to speed the process of personnel identity verification at
manned physical access control points. It
could also minimize reader maintenance costs and prolong reader life by reducing the risk
of vandalism and mechanical component failure.
New York, NY. – The International Biometric Group (IBG) and the West
Virginia High Technology Consortium (WVHTC) Foundation have formed a strategic alliance
that will provide the biometrics industry with comprehensive services for complying with
new, international information security standards. `U.S. Department of Defense directives
implemented last year require that all information technology security products that
handle national security information -- including biometrics products -- be certified
using specific testing criteria including the "Common Criteria." This alliance
will allow IBG and the WVHTC Foundation, acting as strategic partners, to work together to
help the entire biometrics industry understand and comply with the new security standards.
In late January the Governor of NJ signed
into law a statute completely overhauling the system by which motor vehicle licenses are
issued and authorizing a number of protective techniques, including biometrics. The text
of the new statute can be found at:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2002/Bills/A3500/3058_R1.HTM
Saddlebrook, NJ -
Diversified Security Solutions, Inc. (DSSI), a provider of integrated security systems,
announced that it has entered into a contract with the Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey to provide electronic security and systems integration services for the three major
New York metropolitan area airports - John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty
International and LaGuardia. The agreement, which allows the Port Authority to enter into
purchase orders with DSSI, consists of an initial three-year commitment with two, two-year
extension options. Under the terms of the agreement, the Port Authority plans to utilize
DSSI's systems integration services between each airport. DSSI and the Port Authority are
planning to install an enterprise server that will govern all security and communications
applications and will assist in streamlining operations. In addition, DSSI will work with
the Port Authority to implement advanced biometric security devices, such as iris scans
and thumb print recognition. As part of the agreement, DSSI will continue its service and
maintenance of security workstations and access control systems for the three airports, as
well as electronic photo identification badges. DSSI will also continue to manage the
dedicated fiber optic security communications networks for each airport facility.
San Jose, CA - SPYRUS, Inc. announced that a team, led by BearingPoint, Inc. including SPYRUS, has been selected as the sole recipient of a $1.2 million CAC-C contract by the Department of Defense (DoD) Biometrics Management Office (BMO). SPYRUS and the BearingPoint team will develop a solution in 90 days that could greatly enhance physical security through the use of biometrics and first usage of X.509 attribute certificates with the Common Access Card (CAC). The CAC-C contract is the third in a series of consecutive demonstrations conducted by the DoD to assess the value of integrating biometrics with the DoD Common Access Card smart card technology. By integrating the use of biometrics with the use of contactless smart cards in the physical access control environment, the demonstration will evaluate several alternatives for improving security in fixed and mobile environments. The SPYRUS Rosetta CSI middleware for CAC will be enhanced to integrate biometric template information within a digitally signed attribute certificate. As a result, individuals can be authenticated with a high degree of assurance, even in a roving environment such as on a flight-line, authenticating authorized individuals in a crowd control environment; as well as in a standard turnstile or door access control mode. SPYRUS anticipates that the DoD, local law enforcement and corporate security officers will be very interested in this advanced type of product solution for secure physical access control with biometric enhanced authentication.
Phil Griffin, OASIS XCBF TC Chairman
announced that the XCBF TC has also voted to begin the process of moving the XCBF 1.0
Committee Specification towards becoming an OASIS Standard by initiating the required 30
day public review period of the completed work, in accordance with "Section 2
Standards Process" of the OASIS Technical Committee Process document as revised
September 16, 2002.
The specification may be obtained at
http://oasis-open.org/committees/xcbf/docs/XCBF20030120.zip
or from the XCBF web site at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/xcbf
http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/process.shtml#approval_spec
According
to Government Computer News’ Dipka Bhambhani , the Defense
Department’s Biometrics Management Office and West Virginia University have developed
a Graduate Certificate Program in Information Assurance and Biometrics. The class of 25
students will be instructed in “…the uses for biometrics, security system
principles, the scientific foundation for biometrics, and about social, psychological,
ethical and legal policies in the field.”
http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/21251-1.html
Orlando,
FL - The 13th Annual CardTech/SecurTech Conference and Exhibition is scheduled
for May 12-15, 2003 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The theme for 2003, Building Foundations for
Trust, will feature 175 educational sessions, over 300 exhibitors and 6,000 attendees all
focused on smart card, biometric and security technologies.
Monday
Workshops:
- Foundations in Card Technology
- Foundations in Biometric Technology
- Card Technology & Anti-counterfeiting
Technologies
- RF & Contactless Card Technology
- Advances in Biometrics Technology and Testing
- Smart Card Interoperability Workshop
Three
days of concurrent programs to choose from:
- Worldwide ID Congress Program
- Defending Cyberspace Program
- Consumer Marketing & Payment Applications
Program
- Security Technology Applications Program
The Biometrics
Institute (Australia) announced that the National Office of the Information Economy (NOIE)
Executive Management Group has considered the Biometrics Institute's request for funding
and has agreed in principle to offer partial sponsorship for the development of a Privacy
Code of Conduct for the biometrics industry. The Biometrics Institute is conducting a
competitive tender process to select a consultant to help with the code development.
http://www.biometricsinstitute.org
The Washington State
Senate has a bill pending (SB 5412) that would let the state require biometric identifiers
- such as retinal scans or fingerprints - from applicants for state driver licenses or
identification cards, with the goal of reducing identity theft.
The text of the bill
can be found at http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2003-04/Senate/5400-5424/5412.pdf
The digest of the
bill can be found at http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2003-04/Senate/5400-5424/5412_dig_01232003.txt
The Senate Bill
Report can be found at http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2003-04/Senate/5400-5424/5412_sbr_02282003.txt
The International
Summer School for Advanced Studies on "BIOMETRICS: AUTHENTICATION and
RECOGNITION", will be held in Alghero, Italy June 2-6 2003. The school is open
to all professionals and researchers as well as Phd students and Post-doc students working
in
the field of advanced technologies for biometric systems. Sponsors indicate that the
school will be a unique opportunity to meet the leading scientists both from academia and
the industry. The school will be held in conjunction with AVBPA 2003, the 4th
International Conference on Audio and Video Based Biometric Person
Authentication, to be held the week after the school in
Surrey, Guildford, UK. For an
application form and more detailed information, please visit the website:
http://www.computer-vision.191.it/Biomet-School.htm
New York, NY. - The International Biometric
Group (IBG) announced the release of its Biometric Vendor Report Package. The publication
targets investors, biometric technology deployers, and vendors seeking competitive
intelligence. IBG indicates that the Biometric Vendor Report Package provides exclusive
research on 25 of the biometric industry's leading vendors. Each IBG vendor profile
assesses a vendor's key products, current sales and revenues (as well as the long-term
viability of its revenue model), significant partnerships, competitors, and overall vision
and focus with regard to the biometric market.
http://www.biometricgroup.com/
The BBC news reported
in a Feb 27, 2003 release that “…Finger-tapping could become the latest weapon
in the ongoing fight against debit card fraud. The way a person taps a number
into a cash machine or mobile phone could be used as a means of identification
according to scientists at the UK's university of Southampton. When a person taps on
an object a unique set of waveforms are produced, which can be programmed and used to
verify the person's identity”.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2801403.stm
Bizarre Biometrics
Fairfield, Iowa – Lawrence Farwell,
founder of Brain Fingerprinting Laboratories believes that his technology could become a
powerful weapon in law enforcement and intelligence. Others think that it “pure snake
oil and mumbo jumbo.” A Reuters news article that appeared on MSNBC indicates that “…Brain fingerprinting works by measuring
and analyzing split-second spikes in electrical activity in the brain when it responds to
something it recognizes. For example, if a suspected murderer was shown a detail of the
crime scene that only he or she would know, the brain would involuntarily register that
knowledge. Under Farwell's system, that brain activity is picked up through electrodes
attached to the suspect's scalp and measured by an electroencephalograph as a waveform. A
person who had never seen that crime scene would show no reaction”. It is reported
that Farwell’s system measures the pattern of brain response up to 1,200 milliseconds
after the stimulus has been administered. He refers to this period as the MERMER, or
Memory and Encoding-Related Multifaceted Electroencephalographic Response. Farwell has not
won any fans for his technology from the CIA, FBI, DoD or the ACLU.
Farwell believes that it is only a matter of
time before his technology is widely accepted.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/871487.asp?0cv=TA01&cp1=1
John Leyden, writing for the UK Register,
reports that the human rights watchdog Privacy International has launched a quest to find
the World's Most Stupid Security Measure. The global competition will identify what the
group describes as the most "pointless, intrusive, annoying and self-serving"
security measures. Privacy International, the outfit behind the Big Brother awards, is
calling for nominations on the candidates for the silliest security measures. Nomination
should be sent to stupidsecurity@privacy.org by March 15. The
"Winners" will be announced at the thirteenth Computers, Freedom & Privacy
conference in New York on April 3, 2003.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/29279.html
Coming Events
Got an event of interest to the Human Services Biometric User Community? Send your information to the editor at david.mintie@po.state.ct.us or use the mailing address on the last page of the newsletter.
http://www.rebootworldwide.com
Second Annual Speech &
Voice Technology For Military & Government Applications, April 29-30, 2003,
Washington DC.
Biometrex, BigHat Media
Technology, Dubai, UAE, May 5-6, 2003
http://www.bighat.net/biometrex.htm
CardTechSecurTech 2003, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL.
May 12-15, 2003
Biometrics Institute
Conference, Sydney Australia, May
30, 2003
http://www.biometricsinstitute.org
BC 2003, Hyatt Regency,
Crystal City, VA. September 22 - 24, 2003
BiometricsWorld, IDG World
Expo, Location and date to be announced
International Conference On
Biometric Authentication, Hong Kong, January 8-10, 2004
Biometric Resources
French speaking readers of BHSUG may be interested in the
“French-speaking gate” on biometrics information, which contains links, articles of the press,
product announcements, Group discussions, etc.
The site Biometrie online:
http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/biometrie
To subscribe to the
newsgroup:
biometrie-subscribe@yahoogroupes.fr
(send an empty email)
AfB (Association For Biometrics) http://www.afb.org.uk/
BioAPI Consortium http://www.bioapi.org/
The Biometric Consortium http://www.biometrics.org/
Commercial Biometrics Developer's Consortium (CBDC) http://www.trusecure.com/ncsa.shtml
The Connecticut Biometric Web Page http://www.dss.state.ct.us/digital.htm
Financial Services Technology Consortium (biometric fraud
prevention) http://www.fstc.org/
International Biometric Industry Association http://www.ibia.org/
International Association for Identification (IAI) http://www.theiai.org/
National Biometric Test Center http://www.biometrics.org/html/testcenter.html
Security Industry Association http://www.siaonline.org/
Biometric Publications
AVANTI Biometric Journal
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/avanti
Bio1.com, Informative web based biometric resource published by
the International Biometric Group
http://www.bio1.com/
Biometric Digest, P. O. Box 510047, St. Louis, MO 63151-0047,
(314) 892-8632 Fax (314) 487-5198
http://www.biodigest.com/
Biometric Watch, New biometric newsletter slated for May 2003
debut
http://www.biometricwatch.com/
Biometrics Market Intelligence Newsletter (BMI)
BiometriTech Newsletter
Biometric Technology Today, Elsevier Advanced Technology, The
Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington,
Oxford, OX5 1GB, UK, Tel: +44 1865 843642, Fax: +44 1865 843971
http://www.biometrics-today.com/
Speech Technology Magazine, AmComm Publications, 2628 White
Court, Building Four, Suite 100, Lexington, Kentucky,
(859) 278-2223
http://www.speechtekmag.com/
Voice ID Quarterly, Dr. Judith A. Markowitz, 1-800-880-7256, Fax
1-773-769-9253
http://www.jmarkowitz.com/
Published By
The Connecticut Department
Of Social Services
BHSUG Advisory Board:
Jerry Hancock, Arizona Department of Economic Security
Barry Beckwith, Illinois Department of Human Services
Leonard Aiello, Massachusetts Dept. of Transitional Assistance
Jim Kasprzak, Michigan Family Independence Agency
Richard Nawrot, New York, Dept. Social Services
Caroline Parker, North Carolina Dept. of Health & Human
Services
James Weaver, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Stephen Sinders, Texas Department of Human Services
The BHSUG Newsletter is a free publication. It is published bi-monthly and distributed via
the Internet.
Current and back issues can be viewed or downloaded
directly from Connecticut's Biometric Web Page:
http://www.dss.state.ct.us/digital.htm