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| March 10, 2008
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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
CEBIT MXI Part 1 (video)
MXI Security shows their new product line on the CEBIT technology show in Hannover Germany.
The Stealth MXP family is one of the most secure portable USB flash drives in the world. Not only it is capable of running applications on a secure partition, but its extensive authentication features (password, biometric) are worthwhile mentioning. Please take a look at part 2 also for a running demo of the software suite that manages these fine devices.
Reinier's Blog
Date: 2008-03-09 |
CEBIT MXI Part 2 (video)
Demo of the new Access Enterprise software suite. The software that manages all MXI portable security devices.
Take a look at this fine demo and learn about the exiting features of the Stealth MXP portable security devices.
Portable apps, PKI, RSA soft-tokens, Remote Access and more...
Reinier's Blog
Date: 2008-03-09 |
Sir James Crosby recommends no charge for identity cards
Identity cards should be provided free as a way of winning the “hearts and minds” of the public, the Government’s own expert recommended yesterday.
Sir James Crosby, commissioned by Gordon Brown to write a report on the subject, also cautioned against including a digital image of fingerprints on an ID card’s microchip. He said that for security reasons the card and database should hold only some biometric elements.
The proposals from Sir James, the former chief executive of the HBOS banking group, came as Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, promised that 80 per cent of Britons would have a biometric identity card within nine years.
The Home Office is planning to charge £30 for a stand-alone card, and about £93 for a combined passport and ID card. Ms Smith outlined plans to encourage a speedy take-up of the card aimed at achieving a critical mass behind the controversial project.
Times Online
Date: 2008-03-07 |
Biometrics on the battlefield: Huachuca technology helps troops in Iraq
FORT HUACHUCA — While terrorists continue to run, America’s armed forces are making it harder for them to hide because of a growing biometrics database.
Past, current and future technology is used, much of it by adapting commercial off-the-shelf equipment.
"There’s always a better mousetrap that comes along," said Kathy DeBolt, chief of the Language and Technology Office at the U.S. Army’s Fort Huachuca Intelligence Center.
One of the newer traps is a hand-held device used to take a person’s fingerprints, scan an individual’s irises and take a photo of a face.
DeBolt said that if a "red light comes on," that person may be wanted. The device is used at the squad level in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Red means a person is potentially really dangerous to our national security," she said.
The device, which is the size of an old Polaroid camera, rapidly searches stored information, allowing a group of about 10 soldiers to determine if a person is being sought.
AzBiz.com
Date: 2008-03-07 |
Next month on, fingerprinting at 3 British airports
Next month on mandatory fingerprinting will be introduced at three airports in the UK — Gatwick, Manchester and Heathrow’s Terminals 1 and 5.
Officials had begun talks with the aviation industry within months of the alleged plot to blow up Transatlantic Airlines in August 2006.
Once introduced, about four million domestic passengers expected to pass annually through Terminal 5, due to open on March 27, will have four fingerprints taken, and photographed on check in.
To ensure the passenger boarding the aircraft is the same person, the fingerprinting process will be repeated just prior to boarding and photographs matched.
Civil liberties campaigners have raised concerns about the possibility of security agencies trying to access personal data, adding that fingerprinting “will make innocent people feel like criminals.”
Hindustan Times
Date: 2008-03-09 |
Biometrics would not have prevented SocGen incident
An early contender for the biggest load of security tosh of the year comes within the report produced by Société Générale in response to the recent trading fraud scandal. The report identifies a number of actions "as part of a structured plan", and the very first one of those is described as follows:
- Strengthening IT security through the development of strong identification solutions (biometry).
I cannot see anything to suggest that insufficient authentication and access controls were to blame for the incident. What we had was a breakdown in process, supervision, management and audit controls that should have worked together and flagged an issue long before it became newsworthy. Call me what you like but I just don't see that biometrics would have mitigated any of the risk. Am I missing something?
Read the full report here.
ComputerWeekly.com
Date: 2008-03-07 |
Voice biometrics: coming to a bank near you
At a recent bankers' conference in the US, Australian speech application company VeCommerce presented delegates with a challenge: fool our voice biometric technology and win $US1000.No one did, vindicating the company's claim that the technology is robust enough to be deployed in multifactor authentication for applications such as online banking.
According to Steve Lewis, general manager business consulting for VeCommerce in Australia, while deployments of voice biometric technology have to date been fairly limited, that is set to change. "We are a the cusp of seeing some major deployments. We are in the process of developing a system for a top tier financial services organisation in Australia which will roll out at the end of this year. That will be a very large scale deployment...Two of the others are looking at similar solutions: once one goes the others will follow."
The Camera Doesn’t Lie, but It Can Get Confused
The first camera in the room grabbed my face, put it on a screen and then began a computer analysis. It correctly identified me as male. Then the camera focused and followed my eyes, with a little box appearing around each one on the screen. Below the image, a meter displayed each emotion that the computer had detected: Happy. Sad. Angry. Surprised. A trace of a smile triggered the happy meter; a raised eyebrow sent the anger meter skyrocketing. Some tic was registered as sadness.
A second camera went after solid data from the face. It measured distances from jaw to nose to brow, cheekbone to cheekbone and other planes of unnoticed geometry.
The computer built a model from these readings, then ran it through a database of other faces from people who had voluntarily submitted to the imaging.
The result?.....................
The New York Times
Date: 2008-03-08 |
ID cards may be postponed until 2015
In a U-turn, the government has ditched plans to force people to get a biometric ID card when they renew or apply for a passport. Home secretary Jacqui Smith also announced on Thursday that compulsory ID cards for all British citizens may now be delayed until 2015, subject to a future Parliamentary vote. But the government still intends to force foreign nationals living in Britain to register their biometric details on the National Identity Register and carry an ID card by the end of this year.
Smith also set out plans to issue ID cards to people working in airports and other high security-risk areas from next year, a plan that has come under fire from trade unions.
After that the target is students and young people, who will voluntarily have the option of registering for an ID card from 2010.
NIST Requests Comments on Proposed Biometrics Lab Program
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking public comments on a proposed new program to accredit testing laboratories that evaluate biometrics-based identification systems. The proposed Biometrics Laboratory Accreditation Program, requested by the Department of Homeland Security, would assess the ability of candidate laboratories to evaluate biometric technologies such as facial, fingerprint, retinal and voice recognitions against recognized national and international standards.
Governments and companies are increasingly relying on biometrics to recognize individuals. They will soon be used to identify all U.S. government and contract employees, and may replace personal identification numbers at banks and passwords for computing to minimize identity theft.
Government Technology
Date: 2008-03-05 |
In depth: Beware the skimmers
Dubai: Banks in the UAE have undertaken strict security measures ever since fraudsters stole millions of dirhams from ATMs here in 2003. But no system is foolproof and there is a constant battle between financial institutions and thieves to gain the upper hand. We speak to security and banking expertise to see what measures they are undertaking to safeguard your money and future
The latest attempt to hack an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at a bank branch and steal customer data is a reminder of how vulnerable bank customers are to these attempts.
Although the bank was quick to detect the attempt and managed to minimise the damage, one cannot remain aloof, especially when it involves one's money, savings and future.
A group of Malaysian fraudsters stole a few million dirhams from some banks in the UAE in 2003, prompting banks and customers to take extra precautions.
Private sector to collect biometrics for ID card plan
The private sector will be asked to collect and supply biometric data in a bid to drive down the cost of issuing identity cards.
The plan was revealed yesterday by home secretary Jacqui Smith along with details of the revised timetable for rolling out ID cards. The National ID Scheme Delivery Plan is now open for consultation.
The document says the government is currently considering how best the recording of fingerprints and photographs can be provided through the market using "competing third parties" required "to meet the highest possible security standards".
The move has been prompted by the huge cost of establishing regional offices for verifying passport applications, which nevertheless require large numbers of applicants to travel for up to two hours to and from interviews.
The Home Office document says the Identify and Passport Service (IPS) will retain decision-making responsibilities but "look to others to help us gather the information we require".
Computing
Date: 2008-03-06 |
Neotel and Axiotron plan to bring SignHere(TM) biometric signature validation to Modbook, the worlds fastest slate and only tablet Mac computer
MARKHAM, ON, March 6 /CNW/ - Neotel International Inc. ("Neotel") and Axiotron, Inc. ("Axiotron") today signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") outlining the licensing of Neotel technologies to Axiotron and the joint development of Neotel's innovative Dynamic Signature Verification Algorithm SignHere(TM). The use of SignHere will create a new generation of biometrically secured access for pen-based personal computing devices, first to become exclusively available on the award-winning Axiotron Modbook(TM), the world's fastest slate and only Mac(R) tablet computer. Neotel's SignHere(TM) technology aims to replace the artificial and fallible username/password access controls with the oldest and one of the most widely accepted validation paradigms - identifying a person through their signature.
CNW Group
Date: 2008-03-06 |
Biometrics plan for London Olympic builders
Biometric screening - featuring palm and facial recognition - will be used to guard building sites for the London Olympics.
Building workers must pass through a two-tier biometric access system featuring palm and facial recognition to gain access to sites for the 2012 Olympics. At the peak of construction in 2010, the system will be process up to 10,000 people, as they pass through barriers like those on London Underground.
Over the length of the massive construction project as many as 100,000 builders might be processed. As part of the plan the plywood perimeter hoarding around the Olympics site will be replaced with a 3.5-metre-high steel-mesh fence.
The biometric screening system, described as Britain's largest and most expensive security operation, may serve as a model for controlling access to ticket holders to stadiums once the games begin, The Times reports.
Channel register
Date: 2008-03-05 |
Will ID cards and biometric passports make you feel safer?
British citizens will be able to choose between having an ID card or a new biometric passport under new plans which scale back the adoption of the controversial card.Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, has announced the introduction of passports which contain fingerprints and iris scans alongside ID cards. Personal details from both passports and ID cards will be registered on the National Identity Register.
The Government argues that ID cards will boost national security, tackle identity fraud and improve border controls. Foreign nationals will still be required to have one by the end of this year, while the scheme will be extended to airport workers from 2009.
Do you think these proposals will make us safer? Does the element of choice reconcile you to the idea of ID cards? Or do you agree with Philip Johnston, a Telegraph columnist, who argues that the scheme "is all about producing a database of citizens - not to benefit the individual, but the state"?
Which would you be happier to carry: an ID card, or a biometric passport?
Telegraph
Date: 2008-03-06 |
Deutsch
Biometrische Daten werden Pflicht
Wer länger als drei Monate in Deutschland bleiben will, muss ab diesem Sommer für ein Visum auch seine biometrischen Daten preisgeben.
Antragsteller müssen zukünftig ihre Fingerabdrücke und eine Gesichtsaufnahme speichern lassen, um eine Einreiseerlaubnis für Deutschland zu bekommen, berichtete das „Handelsblatt“ vom Montag. Stufenweise soll die Speicherung der Daten danach auf andere Anträge erweitert werden. Schengen-Visa, die zu einem Aufenthalt von bis zu drei Monaten berechtigen, sind ab 2009 von dieser Maßnahme betroffen. „Ab 2011 sollen dann für alle Drittstaaten-Visa solche Daten erforderlich sein“, sagte der Leiter der Rechtsabteilung im Außenministerium, Georg Witschel, der Zeitung.
Online Focus
Date: 2008-03-09 |
BSI: Der elektronische Reisepass ist sicher
Das Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI) hat in einer Serie von Vorträgen auf der CeBIT nachdrücklich die Sicherheit des elektronischen Reisepasses betont. Probleme gebe es allenfalls bei der Verteilung und Sperrung von Zertifikaten, mit denen sich Lesegeräte gegenüber dem Reisepass identifizieren müssen, wenn biometrische Daten vom RFID-Chip ausgelesen werden sollen. Gleichzeitig hat das BSI eine Ausschreibung für eine Untersuchung gestartet, die die Qualität der Erhebung von biometrischen Daten vereinheitlichen und verbessern soll.
heise Online
Date: 2008-03-09 |
EFI-BIOS soll PC nur mit passendem Fingerabdruck freigeben
Die Firma Atmel, die "FingerChip"-Fingerabrucksensoren fertigt, kooperiert mit dem BIOS-Spezialist Phoenix bei der Integration des biometrischen Zugriffsschutzes in die Firmware von Mainboards für Notebooks und stationäre PCs. So soll eine sichere Nutzer-Authentifizierung auf Basis mehrerer Faktoren (etwa der Kombination von Passwort und Fingerabdruck) schon vor dem Start des eigentlichen Betriebssystems möglich werden (Multifactor Pre-Boot Authentication).Für die kommenden Produkte hat sich Phoenix bereits die Namen FailSafe PBA und SecureCore PBA ausgedacht. Es soll auch möglich sein, dass das Mainboard-BIOS (Phoenix spricht lieber von Core Systems Software) die Authentifizierung an das Betriebssystem durchreicht, sich also der Nutzer nicht noch einmal separat am Betriebssystem anmelden muss. Phoenix will die biometrische Authentifizierung auch in EFI/UEFI-Firmware integrieren.
Heise Online
Date: 2008-03-06 |
Francais
Les Britanniques auront bientôt une carte d'identité
La carte d'identité arrive en Grande-Bretagne. Le précieux document avait été supprimé en 1952. Le sujet est très sensible dans un pays qui a toujours été soucieux de protéger les libertés individuelles de ses citoyens. Sous la pression d'association de défense des libertés civiques le gouvernement a du renoncer, du moins provisoirement, au caractère obligatoire de cette carte d'identité biométrique.
"Nous avons toujours dit qu'il ne serait pas obligatoire d'avoir la carte sur soi" explique la ministre de l'Intérieur Jacqui Smith. "Cela n'a pas changé, et cela ne changera pas. Il n'y aura pas d'obligation à avoir une carte d'identité pour prouver son identité. Le passeport pourra également être utilisé".
La solution IDactis Security intègre la nouvelle version du capteur biométrique d’ID3 Semiconductors
Dactis, fournisseur de solutions de biométrie, authentification et Single Sign-On, annonce le renouvellement de son partenariat avec la société ID3 Semiconductors.
Aux termes de cet accord, IDactis intègre la nouvelle version du capteur biométrique Certis™ développé et fabriqué par ID3 Semiconductors à ses solutions d’identification unifiée et sécurisée au niveau du poste de travail. De son côté ID3 Semiconductors propose les solutions logicielles d’IDactis d’authentification forte et de SSO sous la marque Certis Gull et Certis Hawk.
Global Security Mag
Date: 2008-03-06 |
Nederlands
Vingerscans in kinderopvang
16 feb 2008, 04:02 - TILBURG - Het Tilburgse kinderdagverblijf Dino gaat zijn vier vestigingen voorzien van vingerscans om toegang van ongewenste personen te voorkomen. "Veiligheid staat bij ons hoog in het vaandel" , zegt hoofdleidster Yvonne Wagemakers van Dino aan de Bergeijkstraat in Reeshof. "In het pand waar we zitten zijn drie ingangen en iedereen kan bij wijze van spreken zo in- en uitlopen. Dat willen we niet."
Wie binnenkort het pand binnen wil, kan alleen de deurbel omzeilen als zijn of haar vingerafdruk gescand is. Een lezer herkent die, waarna de deur opengaat. "Op alle deuren zitten scans", zegt Wagemakers. " Personeel, maar ook ouders moet zich laten scannen. Van hen heb ik nog geen negatief geluid gehoord. Integendeel: de meesten zijn superenthousiast."
Brabants Dagblad
Date: 2008-02-16 |
Kabinet wil vingerafdrukken van alle Nederlanders
Het kabinet wil een database met de vingerafdrukken van alle Nederlanders ouder dan zes jaar aanleggen, en die openstellen voor politie en justitie. Iedereen die medio volgend jaar jaar een ID-kaart of paspoort haalt, moet naast een gezichtsscan ook een vingerafdruk afstaan. Op dit moment is er al een database aanwezig die de vingerafdrukken van criminelen en asielzoekers bevat. RTL Nieuws ontdekte dat straks alle Nederlanders, ongeacht of ze iets strafbaars gedaan hebben, hierin worden opgenomen en dat politie toegang tot de gegevens krijgt.
Volgens het College Bescherming Persoonsgegevens gaat het plan te ver en is het in strijd met de rechten van de mens. Toch zou een meerderheid van de Tweede Kamer voorstander zijn.
Security.nl
Date: 2008-02-16 |
CeBIT-blog: extreem geavanceerde gezichtsherkenning
Fraunhofer toonde op CeBIT een nieuwe geavanceerde vorm van gezichtsherkenning die in staat is het geslacht, de leeftijd en de gemoedstoestand te bepalen. De technologie zou vooral geschikt zijn voor marktonderzoek, maar in de toekomst kunnen onze computers ook merken of we gelukkig zijn.
De technologie detecteert het gezicht van personen die voor de lens van de camera staan en bepaalt onmiddellijk het geslacht, de leeftijd en het humeur van de persoon. "We hebben duizenden foto's geanalyseerd op meer dan dertigduizend kenmerken", zegt Christian Küblbeck. "Zo hebben we een database samengesteld op basis waarvan het systeem die kenmerken bij de gezichtsherkenning kan detecteren." De leeftijdsherkenning moet nog verder worden ontwikkeld, want die kan momenteel enkel 'oud' en 'jong' bepalen. De bepaling van geslacht en humeur leken wel goed te werken.
'Groene Vinex-wijk' in Peking voor olympische sporters
De trotste organisatoren van de Olympische Spelen in Peking namen de wereldpers vorige week voor het eerst mee naar het Olympisch Dorp. Wie niet van groen houdt, kan er beter wegblijven.
PEKING - 't Is een dik halfuur kachelen vanaf het Plein van de Hemelse Vrede. Een rechte lijn naar het noorden. Onder de volle eerste ringweg door, dan de tweede. Daarna nog de derde en vierde ringweg overwinnen, maar dan ben je er ook: het meest groene, milieuvriendelijke Olympisch Dorp ooit.
Het terrein van 66 hectare is tijdens de Olympische Zomerspelen het thuis voor 16 duizend atleten en hun staf, of ten minste voor dat deel van die groep die Peking niet zal mijden uit angst voor de vuile lucht.
Nederlands Dagblad
Date: 2008-03-10 |
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