Biometrics

Biometrics remain a sticking point for U.K. ID plans
Officials say more tests are needed to ensure usability; U.S. VISIT programs acts as a model of what not to do; with every British citizen requiring a new ID, ease of enrollment is a critical factor
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FaceKey applies for biometric patent to secure vending machines
Contrary to other reports, technology will not be used to purchase snacks; instead, vending companies will provide their drivers portable readers which they will have to attach in order to gain access to the cash compartment; mobile approach enhances security at an economical price
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Analysts see growth in the fingerprint biometrics sector
$3 billion dollar market envisioned for 2011, with cell phones and laptop computers the leading applications; three vendors now control more than 20 percent of the market
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Facial biometrics comes on strong
Though smaller than the fingerprint industry, facial recognition is expected to be a $1 billion business by 2012; high costs prevent more rapid expansion; interested companies are advised to emphasize security benefits to help boost the market
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LexisNexis moves into the identity verification market
Known for managing legal and financial data, LexisNexis leverages technology to grab a piece of the HSPD-12 and REAL ID pies; company made first homeland security foray with TSA HAZMAT Screening Gateway; technology may prove useful for stopping entitlement fraud as well
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DHS selects RFID for PASS Card program
Despite privacy concerns, DHS believes RFID will expedite border crossing by allowing agents to identify passengers before they arrive at the guardhouse; trend shows RFID a government favorite for border crossing initiatives, but RF contactless has the upper hand for government IDs and e-passports
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Gemalto wins another European e-passport contract
Dutch company will provide Denmark with 250,000 e-passports by the end of the year, and 800,000 annually; Russia, United States, Poland, and Singapore among current national customers for the contactless technology
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India steps up IT security after major breach
Hacking is an emerging problem in this increasingly tech-happy country; laptops and Bluetooth-enabled phones are now banned from sensitive government offices; biometric authentication now mandatory for all classified computers
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West Virginia looks to expand local biometrics industry
Statewide initiative will develop a three-year development plan; FBI and WVU already state leaders in research and development, and I-79 science corridor is ripe for expansion
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IBM wins $41 million Department of Interior HSPD-12 contract
Support contract with National Business Center will provide 400,000 cards across a range of agencies; cost per card estimated at $100 to $120 depending on volume
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XTEC wins National Science Foundation HSPD-12 contract
Deal follows recent contract with Department of Labor; XTEC will integrate its AuthentX card management system with NSF’s physical access control system; success for a company recently aggrieved by GSA and BearingPoint
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IBG certifies three new biometric technologies
Fujitsu, Hitachi, and IrisGuard impress the International Biometric Group; results show a promising future for vascular recognition systems due to lower false match and false non-match rates; IBG says technology “a serious competitor” to fingerprint scanners
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ALIVE Tech buys 3D facial biometrics pioneer Geometrix
Acquisition gives ALIVE Tech a strong hold on a cutting-edge biometrics approach; company looks to the future and sees covert enrollment as the next big thing
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Cogneto offers "cognometric" two-level authentication software
Approach identifies users by their point and click speed; fun and nostalgic system asks users to recall specific incidents in their lives, then measures how fast they can answer pertinent questions
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3VR video management system tracks faces with low bandwidth costs
By turning images into metadata, system cuts down on transmission and storage fees while giving security officials a fast way to sort through footage; 3VR approach takes individual snapshots as it records, allowing for easy searches later on
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