While both public- and private-sector organizations continually grapple with the dual responsibility to bolster information security while using IT to cut costs and improve efficiency, the federal government is leading investment in biometric technologies to further these goals. The private sector is following.
- By Vic Berger
- Sep 14, 2009
With millions of smart cards issued, and 10 of millions more planned, government identity and security initiatives continue to expand rapidly. This expansion, and the growing interest in the technologies that have brought these initiatives success, will be the focus when government leaders gather next month in Washington, D.C. for the Smart Card Alliance 8th Annual Smart Cards in Government Conference.
A new publication that recommends best practices for the next generation of portable biometric acquisition devices -- Mobile ID -- has been published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The Lockheed Martin-led Next Generation Identification (NGI) team has successfully completed Critical Design Review (CDR) for the system's fingerprint identification capability, clearing the way for further progress on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) new multi-modal, state-of-the-art biometrics system.
Airports exhibit one of the most complicated scenarios to administer restricted-area access control, identity verification and issuance of an access credential. Various airline employees, vendors, third-party contractors and tenants need to be authenticated at all times, and their physical access rights must be controlled and managed dynamically based upon their role and policies affecting their access.
The Port of Houston tenants more than 150 private industrial companies along the 25-mile-long Houston Ship Channel. The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located on the Houston Ship Channel, which extends over complicated terrain from downtown Houston to the Gulf of Mexico. The terminals were designed to handle virtually any kind of cargo, from heavy containers to dry bulk materials or frozen goods. The port also has two major container terminal locations to move large containers in and out of PHA.
- By Kim Rahfaldt
- Sep 01, 2009
With more than 53 million students going back to school, a national survey released recently shows that more than one out of 10 teachers believe their school is unprepared to protect kids. The results are part of the second annual ADT Back-to-School Survey conducted by Zogby International.
Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies recently announced that the Gunnison Health Care Center, a 100-employee health care facility in Gunnison, Colo., is using Schlage bright blue Web-enabled access control software and both Schlage wired and wireless proximity card readers to limit access throughout the facility.
LaserCard Corp., a provider of secure ID solutions, recently announced receipt of a purchase order of approximately $3.1 million for the supply of additional U.S. Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards).
DigitalPersona, Inc., a provider of fingerprint identity and authentication solutions, recently announced that The Nord Center, Ohio's second largest comprehensive behavioral healthcare services provider, has chosen the company's DigitalPersona Pro fingerprint identity solution and U.are.U 4500 fingerprint readers to secure access to patient records on organization computers.
A recent survey showed that spending on biometrics could increase by about 140 percent within the next five years. If the mass adoption of high-tech technology found in spy movies is imminent, what tools are most useful, and where might we be seeing practical implementations?
- By Larry O'Brien
- Aug 06, 2009
The University of Georgia has long been a pioneer in adopting biometrics, starting with a two-dimensional hand geometry device in 1972. When it was time to replace the school's old hand readers in 1990, the administration evaluated various biometrics technologies, such as facial, hand, fingerprint, iris and signature devices.
- By Jon Mooney
- Aug 03, 2009
EasyLobby, a producer of secure visitor management software and visitor badge printing solutions, has announced that it has received Lenel factory certification for the integration of EasyLobby SVM version 9 with Lenel's OnGuard® versions 6.0 and 6.1 Access Control System. EasyLobby has been a member of the Lenel OpenAccess Alliance Program since 2004.
DigitalPersona Inc., provider of fingerprint identity and authentication solutions, recently announced that the largest Wendy's restaurant franchisee, Tar Heel Capital, has chosen DigitalPersona U.are.U Fingerprint Readers to combat theft.
Datacard Group, provider secure ID and card personalization solutions, announced recently that the Canadian province of British Columbia will use the Datacard MX6000 Card Issuance System, the SecureCapture solution, and the MXD card delivery system, with the MXI envelope insertion system in its innovative enhanced driver’s license (EDL) program.
Public safety agencies around the country are using thermal security to increase their ability to keep watch over vulnerable areas after dark.
HID Global recently announced that its iCLASS secure contactless technology for physical and logical access control has been successfully combined with INSIDE Contactless’ MicroPass contactless payment platform featuring Visa payWave capability to enable the industry’s first converged card solution that incorporates identity and access control with payment.
Recently, Parascript's signature verification software was used to detect fraudulent signatures on certain financial documents in a major debt collection case, leading to the recovery of $160,000 from fraudulent activity related to the delivery of saw-timber materials.
Greater TEXAS Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Austin, Texas, recently implemented US Biometrics’ AccessQ system for controlling physical access to entrances with fingerprint biometrics.
We all need training from time to time. It's often in the best interest of the company and the client. Training is the life blood that ensures that your company's product or service remains the industry standard.
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Jun 15, 2009