Biometric company Zwipe, has integrated its on-card authentication technology into HID Global’s iCLASS smart cards and 125kHz ProxCard credentials, creating a Zwipe biometric smart card that is HID-compatible.

The on-card integration eliminates the need for a biometric reader for existing HID Global iClass or Prox-based systems, and will enabling HID Global to incorporate the Zwipe Access card.

Zwipe’s on-card authentication technology ensures that only the authorized cardholder can interface with the reader, removing the need for cardholders to lend or borrow credentials to access buildings, labs, data centers or networks. Biometric authentication also alleviates risk in the case of lost or stolen cards.

Zwipe’s on-card fingerprint scanner resides on the contactless smart card and uses an embedded HID Global 13.56MHz iCLASS or 125kHz Proximity transponder. The Zwipe biometric card can also be used with MIFARE Classic and DESFIRE EV1.

The concept of biometrics on campus is gaining steam amongst higher ed institutions. Moreover, the need to secure student transactions, along with physical and logical access on campus, is a growing concern. While this type of credential may be some time away from adoption on campus, the combination of biometrics and smart cards offers an interesting alternative and is a step in a positive direction nonetheless.