Biometrics

bioMetrx strikes gold with biometric garage door opener
Television publicity, not our previous report, most likely cause of suburban demand; company opens Web site to process rush of orders; biometrics for kids a growing market
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3M wins Nigerian Seafarers Identity Document contract
UN and labor initiated program permits merchant mariners to disembark without visas; fingerprint biometrics are contained in a simple bar code for widespread acceptance; company expects similar deals in the near future once UN and donor nations arrange funding
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Navy scientists use minute manufacturing differences to detect counterfeit IDs
Approach relies in variation among transistors and wires that make up compuuter chips; two may work in the same way, but differences in threshold voltages make all the difference in detecting a fake
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L-1 subsidiary IBT strikes deal to register Florida insurance agents
Worth $22 million over five years, contract shows Integrated Business Technology and L-1 leading the pack in Florida biometric enrollment; 70,000 agents will be registered annually
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AP-ID announces new casino-inspired ID authentication system
Currently in use at the Venetian, system can verify thousands of different IDs, including international driver’s licenses and passports; while verifying, system also checks government and private watch lists
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DoD lays out 2008 IT security priorities
Redteaming — modelling the enemy’s thought process — leads the way when it comes to defending communications lines; biometric control of military bases a major focus; other priorities include technologies to track terrorists and predict social outcomes of military engagement
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Privacy rankings list U.S. and Britain near the bottom
Privacy International releases worldwide study of privacy protection; U.S. dinged for lack of commercial data privacy; Britain stung for heavy surveillance policies; Canada, Belgium, and Germany lead the way in safeguarding citizen privacy
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Cogent Systems scores with U.K. Visa biometrics deal
Company will provide software for fingerprint and facial recignition biometric technology; U.K. will scan visa applicants at 250 locations worldwide starting in 2008; contract just the latest success for this globetrotting company
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Motorola asserts itself in the biometrics market
Company has teamed up with Oracle to improve its finger and facial biometrics capabilities; Oracle’s support of XML a key factor; Motorola technology lauded for capturing a burglar with its automated reverse search function
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Digimarc strikes another deal with Iowa Department of Transportation
Company has a long history with the state, including a recent deal for driver’s licence watermarks and instant issuance cards; new deal includes “one to one” and “one to many” facial biometrics authentication; intent is confirm ID on renewal and prevent multiple issuances
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Britain takes a biometric approach to nightclub violence
Drinkers in the town of Yeovil must submit their prints to a cental database; if found to misbehave, the system alerts other establishments and prevents entry; bar owners must comply or risk their liquor licenses; we look back at a similar scheme in New York
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NXP Semiconductors announces thinner smart card chips for ePassports
Formerly Philips Semiconductors, the Dutch company decreases the size of its own chips by 20 percent to 75 micrometers; ePassports are expected to last ten years, so decreasing the size of electronic components makes room for protective features
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GSA decides not to pursue BearingPoint's HSPD-12 option years
Decision comes just two months after signing of $104 million contract; GSA prompted by increased maturity of the market and belief it could get a better price by resoliciting bids; quality not at issue; BearingPoint will compete for new terms
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Stanley to provide passport services to State Department
Ten-year, $164 million deal allows Stanley to open up two new processing centers; agreement comes on the heels of a succesful IPO; company will also expand workforce by 150; passport demand expected to heat up as new travel restrictions come on line
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EU considers "deep background checks" for Registered Traveler program
Responding to concerns about racial profiling, EU may instead develop a large-scale network linking criminal and civil data bases; a final report is not due until June, but in the meantime EU planners will move ahead with plans; privacy concerns remain an unsurmounted obstacle
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