Biometrics

Canadian government says it is committed to biometric passports
The Canadian government first introduced the idea of a biometric passport in its 2008 budget, but implementation was delayed by questions over logistics, and how to cover costs; the government now say it is determined to move forward
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Canada to use DHS's Secure Flight rules
Starting in December, passengers on Canadian airlines flying to, from, or even over the United States without ever landing there, will only be allowed to board the aircraft once the U.S. DHS has determined they are not terrorists
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DSC continues to innovate in security monitoring, Internet security communications, and wireless security products
DSC is a big player in electronic security, manufacturing control panels and IP alarm monitoring products; the Toronto-based company has manufacturing facilities in Canada and Italy, and its products are sold in 140 countries
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Samsung, GVI Security to in collaboration which will lead to one product line
Samsung, a manufacturer of video security products offering IP, thermal, and analog cameras, network and digital video recorders, establishes a strategic partnership with GVI Security, a provider of video security solutions to the homeland security, institutional, and commercial markets, to provide optimal security solutions to customers in North and Latin America
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New identity authentication method: nose biometrics
Unlike other facial features used for biometrics, such as eyes or ears, noses are difficult to conceal and also are not changed much by facial expression; researchers find that nose scanning showed good potential for use as a biometric, with a good recognition rate and a faster rate of image processing than whole face recognition
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Animetrics receives patents for face recognition
The company receives three patents for generation of 3D models from arbitrary numbers of uncalibrated photographs; generating databases from 3D models for use in biometric systems for training or for recognition; and face recognition systems based on normalization using 3D models
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U.S. buys iris scanners for prisons to prevent mistaken release of inmates
The U.S. government has allocated funds for prisons to purchase iris recognition scanning machines; the purpose is create fool-proof system which would prevent inmates from impersonating other inmates to gain early release
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U.K. national ID czar: plan on target
Sir Joseph Pilling, who is in charge of implementing the U.K. national biometric ID scheme, says in a report to Parliament: “A lot of work remains to be done and some tricky issues are not yet resolved”
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Aussies to require citizens of yet-unnamed 10 countries to submit biometric info
The Australian government has launched a $69 million plan which will require citizens of ten countries — not named yet — to submit fingerprint and facial images to apply for electronic visas to enter Australia; Foreign Minister Stephen Smith: “there may well be a diplomatic effort required in respect of some of those countries as you would expect”
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Identical DNA a problem for Georgia police: Which identical twin committed the crime?
DNA found at the scene of a murder in Georgia pointed to a felon known to the police; when he was arrested, he insisted the crime was committed by his identical twin; the two twins share identical DNA — but fingerprints, and cell phone records, pointed to the second brother, who confessed to the crime
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University of Missouri upgrades access control system to provide enhanced security, emergency management
The University of Missouri has upgraded access control and security software in its Residential Life Buildings complex — twenty-four on-campus buildings where 6.700 students live; the security system — Matrix System’s Frontier — offers many features which campuses and other public facitilites will find useful
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Biometric access control secures U.K. construction sites
Large, sprawling construction sites need to be secured; two U.K. companies join forces to offer an all-in-one biometric site access system for construction sites; the solution uses hand geometry or iris scanning technology to record access to a construction site
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U.K. universities chafe under burden of monitoring foreign students, academics
As of 31 March 2009, all U.K. universities have been required to monitor foreign students and academics; for instance, university staff must check international student attendance, and if a student fails to attend 10 “expected interactions” (seminars, lectures, tutor meetings, etc.), the professor is obliged to report them to the U.K. Border Agency; professor say this is too much
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New Hampshire considering banning biometrics in ID cards
The New Hampshire legislature is considering a bill which would ban biometric data, including fingerprints, retinal scans, DNA, palm prints, facial feature patterns, handwritten signature characteristics, voice data, iris recognition, keystroke dynamics, and hand characteristics from being used in state or privately issued ID cards, except for employee ID cards
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New facial authentication system installed at Israel Discount Bank
A bank installs an advanced facial recognition system to verify the identity of employees and customers who want to go into the vault; the system can identify people in difficult conditions such as dim light; changes, such as sunglasses, beards, moustaches, different hairdos, or a hat do not affect its ability
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