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| December 07, 2007
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Dear readers,
The Biometrics Info provides you with the latest news on biometrics, smartcards and network security. We provide you with this free service 2 or 3 times a week depending on the news available.
We provide a RSS feed for daily use. During the week all the news will be available through the RSS feed with a weekly summary on friday through the Biometrics Info e-zine.
We carefully selected the newsarticles for this Biometrics Info and we hope you appreciate this edition.
Enjoy reading.
Reinier M. van der Drift
BioXS
English
SAIC gets Army biometrics award
Science Applications International Corp. has won an Army contract to provide biometrics services for the Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems.
The one-year, cost-plus-fee award contract is worth more than $48 million. The Army made the award under the Space and Missile Defense Command’s Warfighter Analysis and Integration program.
SAIC, which has been involved in the program since 2003, will provide Army and Marine Corps units abroad with dedicated, full-service biometrics automated toolset operational and technical support.
Washington Technology
Date: 2007-12-06 |
Bad Times For Biometrics
VeriFone (PAY) has quietly expressed interest in buying the assets of Pay By Touch, a biometrics company currently in Chapter 11, according to court filings obtained by BusinessWeek.com.
It's not clear what stage, if any, talks between the two companies have reached. Both VeriFone and Pay By Touch declined to comment.
The documents, included in filings by Pay By Touch with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, provide a glimpse into the swift decline of a company that has raised more than $300 million and is one of the foremost purveyors of products based on biometrics—the technology of identifying people by their unique physical traits. The papers also shed light on what analysts say is a last-ditch effort by another troubled company, VeriFone, to capitalize on those woes. In addition to bankruptcy proceedings, Pay By Touch is the subject of a dispute in the Delaware Chancery Court, pitting its lenders against founder and Chairman John Rogers for control of the company.
BusinessWeek
Date: 2007-12-06 |
US embassies to upgrade biometric technology for visas
Colombo, Dec 6 - The US embassy here will begin collecting 10 fingerprints from all immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants, implementing a procedure being put into place at all US visa-issuing facilities worldwide.
This builds on the collection of two fingerprints that began in 2004, and represents the latest evolution in using biometric technology to enhance the security of travel to the US.
Fingerprints will be collected electronically on the day of interview. The process only takes about 30 seconds, an embassy statement said Thursday.
There is no change in the requirements for those who must provide fingerprints at the interview. Applicants for diplomatic or official visa classes, applicants under 14 or over 79 years of age, and medical emergency cases are exempt from the requirement.
Following the transition to 10 prints, the US Departments of State and Homeland Security will be able to more effectively process and clear visa applicant fingerprints.
EarthTimes.org
Date: 2007-12-06 |
Webinar offered on integrated smart cards and biometrics market
Frost & Sullivan’s Smart Card and Auto ID Practice in Asia Pacific will host a webinar on the integrated smart cards and biometrics market in the APAC region on December 13th at 11:00am Singapore time (GMT+08:00hrs). This briefing will look at what these advantages are and in what way the integration of smart cards and biometrics is essential to many of these applications. Those interested in registering for the interactive webinar should send an email to Donna Jeremiah – Corporate Communications – at djeremiah@frost.com with the following information: full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state and country.
SecureID News
Date: 2007-12-06 |
Fingerprint biometrics strong in financial markets
New research from Frost & Sullivan says that the fingerprint isn't likely to be knocked off its pedestal in the financial markets anytime soon.
The fingerprint has been adopted in financial markets as the biometric of choice. According to the researchers, it's not entirely uncommon to find fingerprint biometrics used for both logical/network access control and physical/building access control. Increasingly, the fingerprint is also being used to authenticate financial transactions, especially at ATMs and financial kiosks in the Asia-Pacific market.
Fingerprint biometrics' "advantages of high accuracy, low hardware costs, and wide applicability to different financial applications will drive its dominance," wrote Frost & Sullivan researchers in a summary promoting the report. "In the long term, major growth is expected to come from developing regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America, where the stringent privacy laws and negative impressions of fingerprinting do not restraint adoption."
Securityinfo Watch
Date: 2007-12-06 |
TTI Adds New Secure Biometric Mobile Payment Handheld to its Line of Mobile ID Devices
NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Newport Beach, CA, United States, 12/05/2007 - Trijay Technologies International Corporation (TTI), a leader in providing mobile id verification solutions, today announced that it will begin production of its new IPT Series of Secure Biometric Handheld Payment Devices.
By adding secure payment and printer functionality to a handheld the new IPT300 is well suited for retail mobile sale force team, distribution, route accounting, on-board ticketing, parking enforcement, On-the-spot billing, In-Flight sales and other credit card payment purposes.
Slovaks to have biometric passports next year
PRAGUE, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Slovaks will have biometric passports as of next year, the nation's parliament decided Wednesday. The introduction of biometric passports is required by the European Union (EU) and it is also important for the possible waiving of U.S. visas for Slovak citizens, according to reports from Bratislava, Slovakia.
The new passports are to contain two identifiers -- the mandatory digitized picture of the passport holder and his or her fingerprints.
However, they will temporarily only include the digital photo of the holder since the EU has not yet decided on the precise form of the second biometric identifier.
Interior Ministry spokesman Erik Tomas said that Slovak police would issue the new passports as from Jan. 15, the report said.
China View
Date: 2007-12-06 |
Security firms rake in big bucks on threat perceptions
MUMBAI: A vehicle is stolen every six minutes in India, while a Gartner survey says that companies have lost more than $2.8 billion due to phishing-related attacks on their websites. Security concerns in India have increased drastically following the chain of events post 7/11 and the Mumbai train blasts.
These concerns and heightened awareness on the need for comprehensive security measures are translating into big money for security companies in the country.
Thanks to increased awareness among consumers, India has already become an important market in Asia, and is ranked fourth in terms of vendor revenues, according to a recent IDC report.
Economic Times
Date: 2007-12-05 |
UK introduces biometric visas for speed and safety
The UK's ambassador to Turkey has announced that starting today Turkish visitors traveling to the UK will be required to submit biometric information -- finger scans and a digital photo -- as part of the regular visa application process. Among the advantages of providing the biometric information provided, Ambassador Nicholas Baird detailed that people will be easily identifiable and the system will avoid confusion between those sharing the same or similar names. In addition, he said, the system will provide safety against crime and terrorism for visitors while in the UK, it will help protect against identity theft and in the longer term the data will be used to help speed up entry at UK ports and airports.
“The process is discrete, simple and quick; it will take no more than five minutes,” said Baird.
Todays Zaman
Date: 2007-12-05 |
Security Industry New Product of the Year: Privaris’ plusID™ Personal Biometric Token Wins Prestigious Award
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Privaris, a leading provider of wireless identity verification solutions, announced today that its plusID personal biometric token was named the New Product of the Year by Access Control and Security Systems, in the publication’s sixth annual award competition. The award honors excellence in new product development in the security industry, and showcases the most innovative product of the current year, recognizing the talent and commitment of the people involved in every aspect of development, from concept through sales.
“We are delighted to extend this year’s award to Privaris for their unique approach to identity verification,” said Larry Anderson, editor of Access Control and Security Systems. “All of our finalists demonstrated a resolute commitment to addressing today’s security challenges, but Privaris’ groundbreaking approach to biometrics offers organizations in any industry not just an effective solution to the problem of reliable identity verification, but a convenient and simple one.”
BusinessWire
Date: 2007-12-05 |
Sequiam Commences Initial Production of Biometric Hardware Kits for Fujitsu
Sequiam Corporation (OTCBB: SQUM), a leading provider of innovative consumer and commercial identity-management technologies and services, announced today that production is underway on several versions of the new biometric hardware kits for Fujitsu. These kits will be used in multiple applications, including Novell® eDirectory(TM), enabling NMAS Authentication for client and server login. They will also be used for secure access to www.annesdiary.com, the world's first secure social networking site for children, which utilizes Novell eDirectory.
Sequiam will produce the USB fingerprint authentication login devices, which employ the Fujitsu fingerprint sensor ICs such as the MBF320 Sweep Sensor® and MBF200 single touch sensor. Sequiam will also be producing the packaging for both Novell eDirectory login kits and Anne's Diary kits. The first 10,000-unit order is projected to ship by the end of 2007.
CNN Money
Date: 2007-12-05 |
Furlough threat hangs above Defense employees
It won't feel much like Christmas for more than 100,000 Defense Department civilian employees who might get furlough notices in their stockings this year.The threatened layoffs are part of the Pentagon's widespread public campaign to prevent any further delay in appropriating money for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. But some former government insiders and lawmakers say the Bush administration is merely resorting to scare tactics to persuade Congress to expedite approval of the money.The military is, in effect, already trying to pay out of pocket for a war that is costing more than $10 billion a month. Congress is not expected to pass the wartime supplemental spending bill until after it reconvenes in January, forcing Pentagon planners to work budgetary magic to keep money for the war flowing.Skeptics argue that the Defense Department, which has an already approved $459.6 billion for its regular spending accounts this year, has more wiggle room in its budget to pay for the war than officials are letting on.
Government Executive
Date: 2007-12-05 |
UK to launch scheme for high-flying migrants
Young entrepreneurs, doctors and financial high-fliers will get a fast track into the UK under a new points-based immigration system that starts next year.
Ministers will set out in detail how the scheme will apply to the workers Britain is most keen to attract.
The announcement will herald a gradual introduction of the new five-tier scheme for non-EU migrants from the New Year,Highly skilled workers with fluent English and top-drawer qualifications will be given priority. They will also be able to bring their families and to settle permanently within five years.
But the unskilled and low skilled will find it harder to obtain work and will have no rights to stay on or apply for citizenship.
Under the scheme, a non-EU migrant will need at least 75 points to be considered for a work visa.
Doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs and IT experts will get the most points and will be able to come to Britain without a job offer to look for work.
Telegraph
Date: 2007-12-04 |
Biometrics: Unlocking Doors With Your Eyes
It is not science fiction to think that our eyes could very soon be the key to unlocking our homes, accessing our bank accounts and logging on to our computers, according to Queensland University of Technology researcher Sammy Phang.Research by Ms Phang, from QUT's Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering, is helping to remove one of the final obstacles to the everyday application of iris scanning technology.
Ms Phang said the pattern of an iris was like a fingerprint in that every iris was unique. "Every individual iris is unique and even the iris pattern of the left eye is different from the right. The iris pattern is fixed throughout a person's lifetime" she said.
"By using iris recognition it is possible to confirm the identity of a person based on who the person is rather than what the person possesses, such as an ID card or password.
Science Daily
Date: 2007-12-04 |
The new state of the biometrics market
Six years ago when I first evaluated the biometrics industry, I referenced Geoffrey Moore’s classic technology adoption model as a framework for individual players to leverage market opportunities as well as a means for advancing industry market development as a whole. Today, I would argue that the dynamics of the market have fundamentally changed and require a modified approach to strategic market development.
The market for biometrics is in a strange state and will most likely not follow the typical path of disruptive technology adoption. Biometrics has been considered a disruptive innovation on the verge of breakthrough for an extended period of time. Post 9/11 security concerns that were supposed to push biometrics over the edge just created an even greater expectation of rapid market acceleration that never materialized.....
SecureID News
Date: 2007-12-04 |
Deutsch
Sichere Geldtransporter arbeiten mit Biometrie
Linz. Geld regiert die Welt - obwohl, glaubt man manchen Zeitgenossen, Geld auch nicht wirklich glücklich macht. Trotzdem ist es gut, wenn man welches hat – ein Gedanke, der sich natürlich auch in Verbrecherkreisen durchgesetzt hat. Nicht umsonst kommt es – trotz flächendeckender Videoüberwachung in Banken – zu immer mehr Überfällen, bei sinkender Aufklärungsquote. Und auch Geldtransportfahrzeuge sind vor bösen Menschen nicht gefeit. Weil eben die Welt oft böse, schlecht und gemein ist, haben der Hersteller von Geldtransportern TSSC und ekey biometric systems den Geldtransporter der Zukunft entwickelt: Der „Soft Car“ kommt ohne Waffen aus, wird nur noch von einem Fahrer bedient und ist zusätzlich mit ekey-Biometrie abgesichert.
Francais
MSI PR200 Luxe Crystal Edition
MSI vient d'annoncer pour les Etats-Unis son nouvel ultra-portable, le PR200 Crystal Edition, qui, comme son nom l'indique peut-être, est à destination de la gente féminine avec les 120 crystaux autour du logo MSI. Techniquement, il vous propose sinon un processeur Intel Core 2 Duo à 1,5Ghz, un écran de 12", 2Go RAM, 160Go de disque dur, une sortie HDMI, webcam de 1,3 Mégapixels, tuner TV en option et un lecteur biométrique. Pas plus d'infos pour l'instant.
Gemme Fashion
Date: 2007-12-06 |
Samsung sort son X65 XEP 7500 polyvalent 15.4’’ pour professionnels
Samsung lance son nouvel ordinateur portable 15.4’’ X65 XEP 7500, un modèle polyvalent orienté professionnel.
Il embarque un processeur Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2 GHz), 2 Go DDR2 667 MHz, un disque dur SATA de 160 Go à 5400 trs/min, une carte graphique Geforce 8600M GS 128 Mo GDDR3 dédié 512 Mo TurboCache, un écran 15.4″ WSXGA+ SuperBright d’une résolution de 1680×1050, un graveur DVD double couche, un lecteur d’empreintes digitales (TPM 1.2), un lecteur de cartes 6 en 1 et des connecteurs Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, HDMI, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, PC Card, VGA, Ethernet Gigabit et USB 2.0 (x3).
Livré avec 2 batteries : une de 6 cellules qui lui procure une autonomie annoncée de 3 heures et une de 9 cellules (4h30), il pèse 2.49 Kg et tourne sous Windows XP Professionnel.
Laptop Spirit
Date: 2007-12-07 |
Nederlands
Pay By Touch Failliet
Pay By Touch, een Accenture startup van origine, is niet meer. Als ik de berichten mag geloven, verwijt het bedrijf dit voornamelijk de creditcardbedrijven.
Ik ben een andere mening toegedaan. Al eerder uitte ik mijn bedenkingen tegen deze vorm van betalen. Het systeem is te labiel, niet compatible en waarschijnlijk ook veel te duur gezien de 3-4 miljoen dolar verlies die per maand gemaakt wordt.....
Reinier's Blog
Date: 2007-12-07 |
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