Federal government buildings pose similar security challenges to commercial facilities: They need to control access, visually monitor daily activity and manage intrusion-prevention. To meet these demands, the government must integrate with numerous security manufacturers that supply a means to protect different functions, such as single sign-on for individual computers, or large servers to provide redundancy and fault-tolerant needs.
- By Kim Rahfaldt
- Mar 01, 2011
For many years now, the promise of biometrics has not been fully realized. This is, in large part, because performance in the lab is not representative of performance in the field. That’s the reason major programs for Citizen ID and others have never really been fulfilled.
- By Phil Scarfo
- Mar 01, 2011
A critical element of protecting troops in the field of battle is proper identity management. A military installation in the Middle East, for example, must ensure that only authorized personnel can enter the camp. For soldiers, losing an access card to an enemy could be disastrous. Personal identification numbers are too easy to steal or share. To solve this problem, the military turned to biometrics just as other government entities have done as well.
- By Dan Kilgore
- Mar 01, 2011
NEC Corporation has introduced a device to simultaneously acquire fingerprint and finger vein characteristics without physical contact. Worldwide shipment of the HS100-10 Contactless Hybrid Finger Scanner (HS100-10) is scheduled to begin in May 2011.
BIO-key International Inc. and Lumidigm Inc. have partnered to provide a strong authentication solution for e-prescriptions at Genesis HealthCare System. Today, Genesis HealthCare is utilizing BIO-key’s biometric identification software with Lumidigm fingerprint sensors so staff may quickly, conveniently and securely establish identity when ordering, verifying or administering medications as required by Ohio law.
Yanak will report directly to Christer Bergman, vice president of Fujitsu’s biometric solutions, who joined the company in December.
Based on the same technology used by the U.S. Department of Defense, the apps accurately verify a user's identity using only his or her face through cloud-based facial search and retrieval applications.
HID Global, provider of solutions for the delivery of secure identity, recently announced it has secured an 85,000-unit order from a major U.S. government agency for the company’s OMNIKEY contact smart card readers for network authentication.
Cisco has selected MorphoTrack (Safran group) as an ecosystem provider, making the company’s MorphoAccess biometric readers available as an integral component of Cisco’s IP-based access control system.
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office demonstrates that the federal E-Verify program needs a biometric component, according to the Security Industry Association.
Security Industry Association officials are welcoming the federal government’s move toward full implementation of the secure ID cards envisioned by a 2004 presidential directive.
Lumidigm has announced that Verimetrics has selected Lumidigm’s Mercury and Venus fingerprint readers as its preferred biometric platforms for SmartProfile deployments in a wide range of environments, including hospitals, emergency response vehicles and retail stores.
HID Global recently announced that China Unicom has installed HID Global’s OMNIKEY 1021 desktop smart card readers at its stores in more than 20 provinces and cities across the country.
Securing doors and valuables in retail locations without hindering operational efficiency can be a challenge. And that’s just from the customers’ perspective. Adding to the difficulty of securing these dynamic environments, retail stores must manage large, flexible workforces, typically with high turnover. Traditional locks and keys, even smart cards or key fobs, provide only a thin layer of security because they can be lost, stolen or borrowed. There also are the costs associated with lock changes and card inventory management.
- By Jason Dugger
- Feb 01, 2011
The IT department at a large, campus-based organization had a minor disruption that could have turned into a major disaster. A new person on the cleaning company’s crew inadvertently spilled a bucket full of water and cleaning fluid in a telco closet that was being used for multiple purposes, and the liquid shorted out a vital piece of equipment. The accident was never reported, and it was only when services were disrupted that the IT department learned there was a problem.
- By Caren Bachmann
- Feb 01, 2011
Facial recognition technology has emerged as the fastest growing technology among the biometric technologies accepted worldwide and will continue to follow the same trend in future also.
Lumidigm recently announced that Free Amsterdam University (VU), one of Europe’s most prestigious colleges, is using the company’s Venus Series multispectral imaging sensors in fingerprint readers used by approximately 8,000 students, faculty and staff to enter the school’s multiple recreation facilities spread throughout Amsterdam.
Mexico will on Monday become the first country to start using iris scans for identity cards, according to the government, which claims the scheme will be highly secure.
A recent report says the worldwide biometrics market is estimated to grow from $4.2 billion in 2010 to $11.2 billion in 2015, at a CAGR of around 21.6 percent from 2010 to 2015.
Matrix Systems was able to outfit a family on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with biometric access control and a CCTV system, which was much to their espionage aficionado son's liking. “All I need is a pair of shades, and I’m secret agent Garrett,” he said upon seeing the secret room for the first time.
- By Laura Williams
- Jan 14, 2011