By Russ Ryan, Vice President, National Biometric Security Project

Numerous national and civilian security applications will see improvement in functionality because of newly published biometric standards. Biometrically enabled passports will be made more robust because of new standards that define a general specification for physical characteristics, layout and security. A new FBI Electronic Fingerprint Transmission Specification standard helps ensure the reliability and quality of fingerprints submitted to the FBI. A new biometrics standard for financial services defines the security framework for using biometrics for authentication of individuals in financial services transactions. Additionally, a new testing methodology standard provides specific details on methods and techniques for conducting scenario or technology tests.

By David Benini, Aware, Inc.

Following the publication of the FIPS 201 standard in 2005, a series of specifications evolved defining the functionality and interaction of the components that together make up a comprehensive biometrics-enabled credentialing system. The requirements set forth in FIPS 201 were divided among twenty product categories and three services that form the GSA’s Approved Product List (APL). There are six categories that cover specific biometric technologies. Because PIV cards utilize fingerprint and facial biometrics, the categories are split between the two technologies.

Eikon from UPEK available from Amazon.com and more

By Ryan Kline, Contributing Editor

The new Eikon biometric fingerprint reader from UPEK has a sleek look to it and is within reach of individual as well as corporate users. At just $39.99 at Amazon.com, it seems a cost effective option to secure a computer with this simple USB add-on device. I gave it a try to see if it really was easy to install and convenient to use ...

By Ryan Kline, Contributing Editor

On May 24, 1844, the message, “What hath God wrought!” was sent by telegraph from Baltimore, Maryland, to our nation’s Capitol in Washington, DC. A new era in long-distance communications had begun. By the 1860s, the telegraph revolution was in full swing, and telegraph operators had become a valuable resource. Each operator developed his own unique signature and could be identified simply by his tapping rhythm.

The Biometrics Consortium, a leading industry group, defines biometrics as "automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. Among the features measured are; face, fingerprints, hand geometry, handwriting, iris, retinal, vein, and voice. Biometric technologies are becoming the foundation of an extensive array of highly secure identification and personal verification solutions."

By Ryan Kline, Contributing Editor

The use of biometrics for identification and authentication is taking hold throughout the country and in our schools.

Way back in 1972, far before many people were even thinking of using biometrics in conjunction with daily authentication, the University of Georgia began using biometrics in their dining halls. The campus had decided to simplify their mealplan offerings—from a ticket-based program to an enrollment program—and they needed a way to accurately identify paid customers The same goal of simplification remains a core motivator when colleges, universities, and K-12 schools decide to use biometrics in their facilities.

Biometric and contactless technologies complement each other nicely in concept, but in the real world their integration is still quite rare. But new projects and new products are beginning to change this situation and this year promises significant advancement.

After three Common Access Card (CAC)-biometric technology demonstration (TD) projects, the Department of Defense (DoD) is considering moving into phase 2 of a program that could lead to four-million-plus biometric enabled DoD CACs.

Standards are incredibly important, yet incredibly frustrating. While the work of standards bodies is absolutely critical, the complexity of their effort makes it seem as though they purposefully work to make it difficult for outsiders to comprehend. Consider the following lines extracted from an actual presentation made before a security industry trade group:

• M1 is the US TAG to JTC 1 SC 37
• INCITS 358 BioAPI: JTC 1 SC37 Fast Track candidate
• Revised CBEFF: INCITS/JTC 1 SC37 Fast Track candidate

Standards are incredibly important, yet incredibly frustrating. While the work of standards bodies is absolutely critical, the complexity of their effort makes it seem as though they purposefully work to make it difficult for outsiders to comprehend. Consider the following lines extracted from an actual presentation made before a security industry trade group:

• M1 is the US TAG to JTC 1 SC 37
• INCITS 358 BioAPI: JTC 1 SC37 Fast Track candidate
• Revised CBEFF: INCITS/JTC 1 SC37 Fast Track candidate

In the February issue of SecureIDNews, part one of our series on biometric technology concepts was presented. In this second part review, key concepts are described building upon those presented prior.

After three Common Access Card (CAC)-biometric technology demonstration (TD) projects, the Department of Defense (DoD) is considering moving into phase 2 of a program that could lead to four-million-plus biometric enabled DoD CACs.

Validating people, not plastic, sounds good on paper and is, in fact, one of the reasons cited by some colleges and universities for controlling building access-primarily dorms, or sororities/fraternities-with biometric hand readers.  

Standards are incredibly important, yet incredibly frustrating.   While their work is absolutely critical, the complexity of their effort makes it seem as though they purposefully work to make it difficult for outsiders to comprehend. Consider the following lines extracted from an actual presentation made before a security industry trade group:

The following article was provided by Debra Spitler, Vice President of Marketing, ASSA ABLOY Identification Technology Group (ITG). Ms. Spitler is a longtime leader in the physical access control industry and an active contributor to industry groups and conferences. Her role within HID and its parent company ASSA ABLOY has positioned her at the forefront of major technology revolutions impacting the security and access control markets. In this piece, part one of two, Ms. Spitler investigates the current revolution that is merging biometric technology with existing access control technologies.

Biometrics and contactless technologies are the main ingredients of a border control system that is part of the U.S. “roadmap to peace” plan between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Storing lifelike facial photos on contactless cards for use in access control applications seems to have gotten a bit easier. HID and the Manchester, UK-based Image Metrics have demonstrated a realistic photograph stored on an HID iClass card using just 400 bytes of space.

The use of biometrics in conjunction with contactless smart cards is certainly high on many lists of security goals–but it has been a goal that is costly, time consuming, and technology-intensive to attain. With the development of the bioCLASS product line, Irvine, California-based HID is taking steps to change all that.

The EmoryCard program began in August 1991 with the distribution of the initial 10,000 cards. Since then the database has grown to 50,000 cards and the system includes more than 300 card readers with a new initiative to incorporate biometric technology underway.

As institutions seek to enhance their identification programs, many benchmarks are set. Typically they include a digitized photo ID integrated with their meal plan, security, banking and stored value. Ultimately many institutions seek ways to get more from their card program and turn toward the latest technologies. There is something relativelty new on the horizon, not necessarily a replacement for existing technologies but at least initially a compliment to them. Welcome biometrics!