biometric
Fujitsu And PulseWallet Team Up For Biometric Payments
pulsewallet November 20, 2013 – Fujitsu Frontech North America and PulseWallet have announced a new relationship utilizing Fujitsu’s PalmSecure biometric technology for biometric payments. According to the companies, PulseWallet is paperless, storing transactions, transaction history, membership cards as well as promotions in a virtual customer profile. Now, under this new partnership, PulseWallet terminals aim to replace consumer credit and debit cards with palm-scanning technology. “From the very beginning, we were looking for an extremely secure and highly accurate form of strong biometric authentication technology to integrate with our solution. Customer registration has to work smoothly for all consumers and verification at POS must occur quickly,” Aimann Rasheed, co-founder and CEO of PulseWallet said. “We evaluated other forms of biometric authentication and we were most impressed with Fujitsu’s PalmSecure technology because of its speed, accuracy and flexibility.” PalmSecure sensors use near-infrared light to capture a user’s palm vein pattern without the need for contact with the sensor. “We are very proud to be partnering with PulseWallet and that they have chosen PalmSecure technology as a value-added benefit to their solution,” Randy Fox, senior director, currency handling and identification product solutions at Fujitsu Frontech North America said. “We are also extremely supportive of their green initiative. Fujitsu has been an eco-friendly company for over 30-years, with a true commitment to developing and delivering solutions that limit impact on the environment.” Payment systems are widely regarded to be the next big wave of biometric integrations, and many biometric wallet applications and solutions are […]
Source www.biometricupdate.com
US Researchers Working On Biometric System To Completely Replace Passwords
by CBR Staff Writer | 14 November 2013 Researchers claim the use of biometric technology to eliminate the requirement of passwords would is a likely next step. Researchers at Purdue University are developing new biometrics technology, which would allow users to log into computers using iris and fingerprint scans rather than typing passwords. Being developed at the university’s International Center for Biometrics Research, the technology will enable logging into a computer or activate a smartphone by swiping their fingerprint over a sensor which will not require frequently changing passwords. International Center for Biometrics Research director Stephen Elliott was cited by Associated Press as saying that iris and fingerprint scans, as well as facial and voice recognition, are just a few of the tools that can boost security while making lives easier. “I think the average person would tell you they have too many passwords and it’s a hassle to change them all the time, and therefore they use the same password for lots of things, which inherently makes that easier to break,” Elliott added. According to researchers, soldiers in Iraq carry handheld devices that enable scanning fingerprints, retinas and faces and evaluate them with identities in the database Researchers noted that the use of biometric technology to eliminate the requirement of passwords would be a natural next step.
Source www.cbronline.com
Bank of America Looks To Biometric ATMs In New Patent Application
biometric-atm November 15, 2013 – The Bank of America has pushed through a patent application, which describes a biometric ATM system. Reported in ATM Marketplace , the patent was submitted to the USPTO in 2012, and published recently in 2013. Specifically, this patent application outlines a system for authenticating users with a combination of a pin-code and fingerprint biometrics. The design of a biometric ATM and the patent application certainly isn’t very specific, and at this point it looks like the BofA is staking out some territory for development, and doesn’t want to leave much room for competition. “[A] fingerprint scanner for use in the systems and methods of the invention may use optical fingerprint imaging, ultrasonic sensors, capacitance sensors (passive or active) and/or any other suitable method to capture the digital image of a fingerprint,” is just an example of some of the unspecific language contained in this application. “Any suitable method for PIN validation and fingerprint validation may be used to validate the input PIN and fingerprints.” It’s been widely acknowledged that payment systems and ATMs are a coming wave for biometric integrations, and it’s interesting to see the BofA making a move. There are a few places where biometric ATMs are already a reality. Reported previously , the Central Bank of Nigeria has teamed up with Dermalog for biometric POS systems as well as for biometric ATMs. Likewise, in Kenya, Tracom Services has launched a new line of fingerprint ATMs in Nairobi. Leave a Comment comments […]
Source www.biometricupdate.com
Voice Biometric Startup InCights Mobile Raises Angel Funding
Voice Biometric Startup InCights Mobile Raises Angel Funding InCights Mobile Solutions, a provider of voice biometrics software and delivery systems has raised R1 Cr angel funding led by a group of investors including Anand Lunia of India Quotient, Iamwire states. The company plans to use the funds to expand outside India and it is also looking to shift to US. The fund will also be utilized launch new services in the gaming and entertainment sector. Hyderabad-based Incights Mobile Solution was launched in 2010. It offers a voice biometrics engine and associated services, where it uses a person’s voice as the unique identifier, enabling real-time identity verification. Its voice Bio-metrics service can be used to provide protection against identity theft, protected access to information, secure login for remote workers, secure automated authentication, call center transactions or mobile commerce connections. The company was among the 30 startups accelerated by Nasscom.. The startup is supported by Microsoft BizSpark, IAN and IIIT-H. The current applications of the startups includes Contact center caller verification, IVR Caller verification, Mobile app authentication, Web transaction validation. According to the survey conducted, smartphone users have grown frustrated with current authentication methods and 90% of them are eager to use voice biometrics in place of existing methods. The overall market for voice and face biometrics is expected to reach nearly $3 billion by the end of 2018. Like the various biometric options, voice-based identity authentication can be used in tracking attendance, financial transactions and a host of others where […]
Source www.dealcurry.com
Axis Cameras Help Secure Korean Airport Customs Workload
Source: Axis Communications | Date: 11/14/2013 Related tags: AXIS , airport management solution , X-ray scanners , airline security management Mission Gimhae Customs, located in Gangseo-gu, Busan, has jurisdiction over Gimhae International Airport, the gateway to Korea’s southwestern area which handles an average of 75 airplanes, including Korean Air and Japan Airlines, carries 9500 passengers. Gimhae Customs imports repair parts, communication devices and marine engines, small quantities of urgently needed samples and advertising items, exporting agricultural and marine products. The nature of the air cargo needs to be handled efficiently and rapidly while blocking the inflow of illegal items. Separate reading rooms are used for each of the 4 X-ray scanners without surveillance cameras caused difficulty for workforce management, with no separate monitoring system, leading to frequent disputes about lost and damaged items. To resolve these problems and proactively respond to changes in environment of the airport, Gimhae Customs introduced a suitable monitoring system to enhance surveillance competency Solution Gimhae Customs wanted a solution to minimize civil complaints and enhance speed and accuracy of monitoring and tracking, Gimhae Airport surveillance system is using Axis P5534 and Axis P3304 for capability of smoothly interfacing for more unified operations while providing high-definition video surveillance for clear and intuitive monitoring. The International Arrival Hall’s special environment and low ceiling height, a camera with ability to monitor a wide area is required for each carousel. Axis partner Darwin System used high-definition network cameras and built an effective system capable of monitoring all processes […]
Source www.asmag.com
Mirasys Agile Virtual Matrix And Mirasys Geospatial Mapping To Launch At FinnSec 2013
Tue, Nov 12, 2013 02:00 EST Mirasys Ltd., one of the leading suppliers of open platform Video Management Solutions, will launch the Mirasys Agile Virtual Matrix and Mirasys Geospatial Mapping applications at the FinnSec 2013 fair. Designed for the need of large surveillance systems, Mirasys Agile Virtual Matrix and Mirasys Geospatial Mapping make it vastly easier to design and run large scale security centers. Mirasys Agile Virtual Matrix Mirasys Agile Virtual Matrix allows large scale video surveillance systems to use a multitude of monitors arranged in a synchronized matrix. The monitors managed via Mirasys operator console can be used to view thousands of static and dome cameras, camera tours, IP cameras, analog cameras, I/O devices and virtual cameras in an adaptable and user-friendly environment. Mirasys Agile Virtual Matrix is a powerful and easy-to-use solution for intelligent video surveillance of corporate networks, industrial processes, commercial centers, and multi-office environments – both locally as well as remotely. Mirasys Geospatial Mapping Mirasys has developed a new service to enhance and complement situational awareness systems such as maps in Mirasys VMS. This application allows for easy management of e.g. large-scale video surveillance systems with the help of multi-level maps and CAD pictures – also when the surveillance is done remotely. All administration is done within the system: coordinates and reference data relating to maintenance can be defined for all components of the surveillance system, monitors can be arranged, and layouts can be customized separately for each monitor. This makes their maintenance a lot […]
Source news.cision.com
BIO-key To Integrate Biometric Platform Into AMD Security Solutions
bio-key logo November 12, 2013 – BIO-key International has announced that the company is working with AMD to ensure compatibility of its WEB-key biometric management platform with AMD’s upcoming security solutions. As a result of this work, the company says device manufacturers will be able to use the BIO-key algorithm to match fingerprints on compatible AMD devices, with or without a server, or in the network or cloud. Specifically, AMD customers will be using BIO-key’s scanner independent algorithm. “BIO-key is honored to be working with AMD toward this uniquely valuable TrustZone integration,” said Jim Sullivan, BIO-key’s VP of Strategy and Business Development said. “With this solution, OEMs will be insulated from the rapidly changing fingerprint scanner marketplace by having a single best-of-breed, interoperable platform to interface with. Online service providers and enterprises will benefit from a standardized, securely configured WEB-key client on their users’ devices, made available by device manufacturers or through the ARM TrustZone technology ecosystem. This will allow enhanced security for online transactions and BYOD security. Fingerprint scanner manufacturers benefit by being part of a secure cloud infrastructure allowing remote and cloud authentication, which significantly enhances the core value proposition of fingerprint authentication beyond unlocking the phone or other device. Our existing patents on securing biometric data and keys using Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) make this a natural evolution of our product strategy.” Tomorrow, November 13, 2013, BIO-key will present at the 2013 AMD Developer Summit with its presentation titled, “Leveraging fingerprint biometric authentication to streamline secure access.” […]
Source www.biometricupdate.com
Vision-Box Deploys Biometric eGates At Lisbon International Airport
vision-box November 7, 2013 – Vision-Box has announced that it has set up biometric Automated Border Control eGates at the Lisbon International Airport. In particular, the gates that have been deployed are the company’s vb i-match 5, which can process the Portuguese ePassports as well as the Portuguese National Citizen Card and holders of diplomatic or special passports as part of recently implemented pilot projects for Brazilian and Angolan nationals. To verify the identity of users passing through the gates, vb i-match 5 uses biometrics, including iris, fingerprint and facial recognition. This particular gate design has been in production since 2007. “Today, as in 2007, Portugal continues in the forefront of automated border control and Vision-Box is delighted to continue to support SEF and have a positive impact in keeping Portuguese borders safe while at the same time providing a good passenger experience,” Miguel Leitmann, Senior Vice President of Vision-Box said. Reported previously , Vision-Box also recently deployed eGates at the Hamad International Airport in Qatar. Earlier this year, Vision-Box launched what it was calling a ‘ biometric periscope ,’ for long distance capture of face and iris in self-service eGates. The device is capable of capturing biometrics from a distance of 1 metre. Leave a Comment comments
Source www.biometricupdate.com
Biometric Technology: Curbing Fraud In Banks
biometric Mukosha mulenga By MUKOSHA MULENGA BANKS and other financial institutions hold the key to one of our most treasured assets: our money. Most banks are now looking at using biometrics to protect against identity fraud and comply with government regulations. The use of biometric technology is becoming widely recognised in the banking industry as a viable means to prevent identity fraud, safeguard data, improve ease-of-use, and save money from lost or stolen passwords. When you consider that approximately 84 percent of bank fraud is committed by in-house staff, or that nearly 40 percent of all help desk calls are for forgotten passwords, it is no surprise that many banks are turning to biometric technology for increased security and convenience. Banks therefore now have the challenge of integrating fingerprint functionality into existing in-house applications or their core banking applications. Banks can use solutions such as ) from M2SYS, for safeguarding enterprise data and reducing costs. EBS supports active directory, and can enable banks to secure login to their network and replace user names and passwords with something that you cannot share, lose, or forget: Your Fingerprint! With an ever-increasing number of security breaches, the pressure on banks to implement methods of password management, identity management, data and network security, and two factor authentication has never been stronger. The sharing or theft of user passwords still remains the most popular reason that corporate data is compromised. Biometrics solves this problem by allowing businesses and banks to implement a centralised biometric […]
Source daily-mail.co.zm
NIST, University of Texas Researchers Say There?s More To Image-based Biometric Recognition Than Faces Alone
facialrecognition2 November 8, 2013 – A new study published in the journal of Psychological Science by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas and the National Institute of Standards and Technologies could turn our understanding of facial recognition on its head. The research describes a series of experiments that demonstrates there is potentially more information for biometrics-based identity recognition in images of people than the face alone. Specifically, the recognition study used three types of images for comparison: a subject’s face and upper body (left); only the face (center); and the upper body with the face masked (right). Results suggest that automatic recognition systems could be improved by adding body information beyond the face. “For twenty years, the assumption in the automatic face recognition community has been that all important identity information is in the face,” Jonathon Phillips, an electronics engineer at NIST who is a co-author on the study said. “These results should point us toward exploring new ways to improve automatic recognition systems by incorporating information about the body beyond the face.” In a series of experiments, the researchers showed study participants pairs of images of either the same or different people and asked them to determine if the photos matched or not. The images selected for the study were chosen from a database used in the NIST Face Recognition Vendor Test 2006 , an international competition of face recognition systems conducted by NIST. The study team selected a subset of the image pairs that automated face […]
Source www.biometricupdate.com
Verint Acquires Voice Biometric Company Victrio
MELVILLE, N.Y. and MENLO PARK, CALIF., October 29, 2013 — Verint? Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: VRNT) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Victrio&trade, an innovator in fraud prevention and identity authentication solutions. The combination of Verint and Victrio advances this comprehensive solution set by combining industry-leading voice biometrics and predictive analytics with customer-centric workforce optimization (WFO) solutions, furthering the company’s strength in fraud and risk analytics. Today, risk management, fraud prevention and identity authentication are high profile topics in more and more organizations. With an increased focus on safeguarding customer identity and private information, companies worldwide are investing in technology and services that help mitigate risk, prevent fraud, reduce fraud-related loss and improve the customer experience–all while decreasing contact center operating costs. According to Ovum, “Risk-based authentication is going to be an increasingly important requirement. It represents a more realistic approach for business users, who won’t then need to present multiple credentials every time they log in.”1 More Security Insights White Papers More >> Reports More >> Webcasts More >> Victrio solutions combine a new generation of “passive” voice biometrics with unique predictive analysis that can accurately detect fraudsters and authenticate customers without caller interruption. Its innovative voice biometrics solution is ideally suited for large financial institutions, including banks, card issuers, wealth management service providers and other organizations focused on fraud reduction. Earlier this year, Victrio was named by Gartner, Inc. as a “Cool Vendor in Security: Identity and Access Management, 2013.”2 “We’re delighted to welcome […]
Source www.darkreading.com
German Biohacker Implants Cassette-Sized Biometric Chip Under His Skin
tim cannon November 1, 2013 – On the heels of Halloween comes a stomach-turning and somewhat bizarre story out of Germany. Reported in Vice’s Motherboard blog , Tim Cannon, a German “biohacker” implanted a computer chip in his arm that uses an open-source system to wirelessly record and transmit his biometric data. Dubbed, Circadia 1.0, Cannon had the chip implanted beneath his skin by body modification “pioneer,” Steve Haworth, not a doctor. And according to the Vice report, the device was slipped under his skin without the use of anesthesia. If that’s not enough to totally gross you out, the entire device is about the size of an Altoids tin and protrudes from Cannon’s arm with some pretty gruesome-looking stitches. The device was built by Cannon and his colleagues at Grindhouse Wetware and wirelessly transmits data from Cannon’s body to Android devices. Charging is also performed wirelessly. The Circadia wasn’t just made for Cannon and his pals. According to the Vice report, the first production run of Circadia chips will be ready and will cost somewhere around $500. Don’t get me wrong, what Cannon and his team have made is very cool, and is certainly ahead of its time. I would expect that there is a lot of development currently taking place for some similar devices, but this particular instrument looks pretty painful and obstructive. No doubt, there are many applications and meaningful reasons to measure biometric information in real-time. Depending on what’s being measured, this could even be used […]
Source www.biometricupdate.com
Biometric Market To Flourish By 2018
Biometric market to flourish by 2018 – Goode Intelligence Goode Intelligence has predicted mobile security products and services will grow within the next five years, generating more than US$8.3 billion revenue by 2018. HumanIPO reported earlier this month on the National Cyber Security Alliance’s preferred smartphone security survey. Focusing on the mobile biometric security market, Goode believes the industry is driven by Apple’s release of Touch ID. “Apple has disrupted everything and has again disrupted a market and rebranded biometrics as a convenient method of communicating with consumer technology,” the report stated. Within five years, 3.4 billion users are predicted to engage with biometrics on their mobile devices, alluding to a collective revenue of US$8.3 billion. Fingerprint sensors are forecasted to become a standard feature for high-end smart mobile devices by 2015, serving as a replacement with “cumbersome and inconvenient” methods currently available on mobile devices. With regards to mobile commerce, mobile devices are predicted as the primary mode for digital commerce. However, Goode reasons its progress is currently being hampered by identity verification and payment authorisation yet to be updated. Biometrics is suggested as a replacement for payment authorisation, as well as serving its goal in the authentication of products as supported by the Field Integrated Design Operations (FIDO) Alliance, among others. It will also contribute to scale security in the protection of sensitive information and transactions with services such as Mobile Device Management (MDM), secure containers and Mobile Application Management (MAM) succeeding in the creation of a […]
Source www.humanipo.com
Biometric ID Cards For Foreigners Studying In Malaysia
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is in talks with the Education Ministry on the proposed implementation of security featured biometric identity cards for foreign students studying in local institutions of higher learning said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Wednesday. “We do have some problems with regard to foreign students. “We are currently in discussions with the Education Ministry to adopt the biometric identity card with security features such as barcode and RIFD chip for foreign students here,” he told reporters at a press conference in Parliament lobby. He said the identify card would serve as the students traveling permit when in the country rather than the students having to carry passports where ever they go. “Several countries, namely Saudi Arab, Yemen and several Middle East countries have indicated interest in adopting such a card for their students students here,” he added. Based on ministry’s records, there were some 80,000 international students in the country last year. The aim is to attract 200,000 foreign students by 2020. In a related issue, Ahmad Zahid said that a pilot project is currently underway to implement the biometric identity card for the 2.116mil foreign workers in the country by the end of next year. He added that cards would be issued according to the sectors employing the foreign workers to allow immigration officials to keep tabs. “By end of next year, all foreign […]
Source www.thestar.com.my
HID Global Sees Gradual Shift From Smart Cards to NFC
With NFC on access control, it will be able to drive to a level of critical acceptance Interviews | by Sharath Kumar BANGALORE, INDIA: We are about to embark on a new generation of access control technology in which mechanical keys – and even plastic smart cards – are either replaced – or at least, augmented — by digital keys and portable digital identity credentials that can be securely provisioned onto NFC-enabled smartphones and other mobile devices. In an interaction with CIOL, Ranjit Nambiar, director of sales, India and SAARC, HID Global shared insights on applications of NFC technology day-to-day businesses that are set to take off in India. Excerpts: CIOL: Can you share with us your journey from RFID cards to NFC Ranjit Nambiar: HID Global comes with an identity security background, which means, we are into the business of basically securing identities. Identities could be in any form. It could be in biometrics, access control, IT authentication, card control. If you look at the core of our technology, most of the solutions of what we have, Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is one of them. We extensively use RFID with respect to secure identity solution. We have other businesses also, which are non RFID centric. It’s a secure identity business with RFID as a core technology is what we use. We have come out with a new series of physical access control readers which are NFC enabled. The platform is called the ICLASS SE. ICLASS is a brand of […]
Source www.ciol.com
SmartMetric Biometric Activated ATM & Credit Card To Fight $8.6 Billion A Year In USA Card Fraud
SmartMetric, Inc. SmartMetric Biometric Card Solution Targets Fraudsters and Has Potential to Save Card Industry Billions per Year BAY HARBOR, FL–(Marketwired – Oct 25, 2013) – SmartMetric, Inc. ( OTCQB : SMME ) – Speaking today from the companies offices in Bay Harbor, SmartMetric™ Inc. President & CEO Chaya Hendrick said credit card industry figures show Card fraud costs the U.S. card payments industry an estimated US$8.6 billion per year*. Fraud comprises 0.4% of the US$2.1 trillion in total yearly U.S. card volume*. Using a person’s fingerprint to activate the “EMV” ATM or Credit Card will protect both financial institutions and card holders against significant fraud. SmartMetric has developed a fingerprint reader that sits inside a person’s ATM or Credit Card. It is self powered allowing it to perform a fingerprint match while a person is standing at a retail checkout or on the street at an ATM. A person simply swipes their finger across the SmartMetric sensor on the surface of the card and the card’s internal computer processor performs a match with the person’s fingerprint that is pre-stored in the memory of the card itself. For added security a person’s fingerprint is always stored and encrypted inside the card and IS NOT stored on a bank’s computer. When a match occurs, the card’s EMV surface mounted chip is then turned on allowing a transaction at the millions of ATM and retail card machines around the world. Banks don’t have to retrofit existing retail ATM’s or POS retail card readers […]
Source www.marketwired.com
Biocryptology: Biometric System ‘To End Identity Fraud’ Launched
Biocryptology Primary fingerprint scanner Biocryptology, a biometric authentication service that claims to make identity theft “virtually impossible”, had its British launch today at London’s Science Museum. The system gives the user a portable fingerprint scanner which generates a random number from biometrics, which can be verified by a central service operated by the firm behind the technology, Primary-Net. When taking a fingerprint, the system uses a patented “life detection system” which reads parameters including blood flow, skin and finger temperature to ensure the target is alive. This should prevent attacks using copies of finger prints, as seen on bypasses of the authentication system on Apple’s latest iPhone . Biocryptology has been piloted, over the last two years, in a range of terminals designed for banks, military systems and immigration. One comercial US pilot was carried out by Nexus USA in Rapid City, with the Biocryptology system provided by a company called Hanscan, which appears to be a predecessor to Primary-Net. Primary-Net has invested $30 million in the technology, which sees over 8,000 keys generated on a ‘Primary’ device at the sender end. The identity of the user is validated at one of Biocryptology’s three global data centres. The primary device is individual to the user, and carried by them, to be plugged in by USB, wherever identification is required. For the US trial, the firm developed another device, the Nexus SmartPay, which sits at the sales terminal, has its own fingerprint scanner and can identify multiple people. Klaas Zwart, […]
Source www.techweekeurope.co.uk
Sony Spinoff Goes Global With Biometric ID Gadget
Turkey is working on a nationwide project to install biometric authentication systems in hospitals and pharmacies nationwide. A biometric authentication system is a way to confirm identification with fingerprints, a vein on a finger or in another part of a human body. The system has a higher security threshold than password authentication, as it makes it more difficult for people to pretend they are someone else. By introducing the system, the Turkish government aims to confirm a patient’s identification. Recently, five firms have been selected to supply biometric systems for the project. Four of the five are Japanese, and three — Fujitsu Ltd., Hitachi Ltd. and NEC Corp. — have already established themselves internationally in the field of biometric authentication. The fourth Japanese company is Mofiria Ltd., based in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, which spun off from Sony Corp. in 2010. Sony began developing original technology on vein authentication systems around 2000. Mofiria’s technology used in the vein authentication system is relatively simple and thus the size of the device is small. Someone merely places a finger on the authentication device and it scans the concentration of veins found on the finger’s first and second joints. Then a near-infrared light emitting diode (LED) is projected onto the joints to make a clear image of veins, and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) censor takes a photo of the vein to confirm authentication. Mofiria President Satoshi Amagai was appointed to head the vein authentication business section at Sony in 2007. Then-President Ryoji […]
Source www.japantimes.co.jp
EU-Funded Project Takes Biometric Security Systems To Next Level
European Commission MEMO Brussels , 22 October 2013 EU-funded project to take biometric security systems to the next level In recent years we’ve seen face, voice and fingerprint identification software move from Sci-Fi films into real life affordable devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The TABULA RASA consortium, which is supported by EU research and innovation investment, has set out to identify just how well this new software works, in particular against the growing phenomenon of “spoofing ” i.e. using everyday materials such as make-up, photographs and voice recordings to subvert or directly attack biometric systems. Biometric systems have proven to be one of the most efficient security solutions available today. However, some biometric sensor vulnerabilities still exist, including some which have been well publicised in the International media. The TABULA RASA consortium comprises 12 different organisations across seven countries that have worked together over a period of three years to research as many vulnerabilities as possible, to develop countermeasures accordingly and ultimately a new breed of safer biometric systems. In the course of its research, TABULA RASA hosted a “Spoofing Challenge,” which invited researchers from around the world to develop attack plans and to attempt to deceive various biometric systems. Participants showed that there are many different and creative ways to attack the systems. The most innovative attack proposed during this challenge used make-up to spoof a 2D face recognition system and succeeded in being recognised as the victim. Other contestants used well-known attacks such as photographs, masks […]
Source europa.eu
Analysts Applaud Synaptics? Acquisition Of Biometric Fingerprint Firm
By Teresa Rivas Synaptics ( SYNA ) was up 6.5% at the close, as investors cheered the company’s acquisition of privately held Validity Sensors , a California-based developer of biometric fingerprint authentication systems. According to the deal, Synapics will pay about $92.5 million in stock and cash for the firm, plus potential performance payments over a multi-year period that could bring the cost up to $255 million. Needham & Co. analyst Rajvindra Gill was upbeat about the acquisition in a note out today, reiterating a Buy rating and $54 price target. “We believe this acquisition is crucial for several reasons: 1) it places SYNA at the forefront of a leading-edge technology in the handset market; i.e., fingerprint sensors; 2) it effectively doubles the addressable market as SYNA can sell an additional sensor per unit; 3) it further solidifies our thesis that SYNA has the leading and the broadest technology platform in the capacitive touch market; and 4) it expands SYNA’s entry into mobile payments, cloud-based services and enterprise mobile device security.” Gill noted that Validity Systems’ high-frequency RF imaging technology is similar to that used in Apple’s ( AAPL ) new iPhone 5s, and that there is increasing interest from handset OEMs for this technology. Pacific Crest’s John Vinh was optimistic as well. He made a similar point as he reiterated his Outperform rating and $58 price target in a note out today: The deal “provides an opportunity for Synaptics to expand its content opportunity with key smartphone, tablet […]
Source blogs.barrons.com