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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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Researchers discover alghorithmic method of identifying naked bodies
Innovative image analysis approach is designed to combat pornography in the workplace, but creative security personnel may find inspiration for video analytics
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The long view
“The Federal Government Is Gone”: Under Trump, the Fight Against Extremist Violence Is Left Up to the States
As President Donald Trump guts the main federal office dedicated to preventing terrorism, states say they’re left to take the lead in spotlighting threats. Some state efforts are robust, others are fledgling, and yet other states are still formalizing strategies for addressing extremism. With the federal government largely retreating from focusing on extremist dangers, prevention advocates say the threat of violent extremism is likely to increase.