Biometric Identification makes your NFC payments safe

May 2nd, 2013

Near Field Communication is a new type of communication standard for establishing a radio communication between smart phones and similar devices by bringing them into close proximity with each other without actual touching. This system is touted as the next big thing in mobile payment with some experts saying that it will eventually replace credit card payments. NFC Payment will have some sort of biometric identification inbuilt in the system for validating the identity of the user.

How easy is it to hack a mobile phone built for NFC payment? No system is 100% percent foolproof but it can be safely said that NFC Payments Systems are relative safe. It is definitely safer than your credit card. NFC payment systems use multi modal authentication instead of password based single authentication systems.

To authenticate any transaction the user will have to provide
1) The registered device itself
2) Location of the device
3) Password.

In order to embezzle from your account someone will have to -
1) Steal your phone
2) Attempt transaction before the theft is reported
3) Provide location and risk getting caught
4) Provide pin/password which is known only to you

The next step -Biometric identification- makes any type of unauthorized accessalmost impossible.

Before processing NFC payment, every user will have their identity validated with a Biometric reader. The reader will scan the fingerprint, retina, veins in order to validate the identity of the user. If there is no match, tough luck for the person stealing the phone!! Forging biometric data is next to impossible. Also the next generation,futronic fs80 fingerprint reader devices come with “live scan” that makes it impossible to cheat the system with silicone impersonations.

The Futronic fs80 fingerprint reader uses advanced CMOS technology to generate high quality fingerprint images in less the 100ms. The device uses four LED’s to change the intensity of the illumination according to the characteristics of the fingerprint scanned (wet, dry, blurred, rough, etc). The scanning window is made of 14mm crown glass which makes it perfect for all types of weather conditions.

NFC Payments provides a card less payment system. It is easy to setup, safe to use and efficient. Card based payment systems are inefficient. They are unreliable too with billions of dollars in embezzlement. NFC Payment is the safer alternative. Your mobile is your wallet. Multi modal authentication provides safety and security.

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Will Biometric Authentication Replace Credit Cards in the Future?

April 29th, 2013

Eventually some sort of Biometric Authentication will replace credit cards and it is going to happen a lot sooner than fifty years from now. The consensus in the credit card industry is pretty unanimous: The current security system is just not enough to stop sophisticated cyber-attacksand there is a need for changing over to a newer security system as soon as possible.

What is important to understand is that due to sharp rise in theft and embezzlement, people are starting to understand that Biometric authentication is the only method to be sure of an individual’s identity today. This type of authentication is based on a security protocol that uses unique characteristics like “what you are”, “what you know” and “what you have” to provide access to a resource or account.

Fingerprint biometrics is being used in many part of North American for authenticating payments with varying degrees of success. Right now banks have to grapple with “big brother” and cultural issues that are coming in the way of implementation. Better awareness is the need of the hour. Once the customers understand that the benefits of using a biometric system outweigh the fear of migrating to a new system, the adoption of biometric technology will automatically increase.

Fingerprint data captured at the time of enrolment is kept in a database and used for verification of the user.Thecustomer has to swipe their fingers across a Fingerprint scannerto confirm their identity. The data recorded by the scanner is used for validating the user’s identity. Once a match is found the payment is processed and customer goes home happy.

The Digital Persona Fingerprint Reader device is a compact device that can fit into small devices and crowded desktop environments where others can’t. It is a world class technology that has been used all over the world in healthcare, banking, and Civil ID projects. Millions trust Digital Persona Fingerprint Reader device for their online transactions.

These devices are built for high volume, high stress environment. Their rugged built and superior algorithm ensures great results time after time. Whether you need one or several thousand verifications per month, Digital persona fingerprint ‘reader provides world class results every time. These finger print readers can record information from any direction, providing high quality images for a shared environment.

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Health care in India use Biometric attendance

September 28th, 2012

Infant mortality rate in India (48/1000) is almost three times that of China and Brazil. Despite the almost eight percent growth rate in the Indian economy, the state run health care sector in India is in shambles, showing high infant and maternity mortality rates. The health care sector remains chronically understaffed and the problem of understaffing is made worse by rampant indiscipline among those in the medical fraternity.

Absenteeism is rampant in the state run hospitals, with some doctors not reporting for days on a stretch. However these truant doctors are able to collect their full salary as the attendance registers are often fudged with the connivance of those entrusted with time keeping. The situation, in government hospitals, is so bad that a ward boy was found to be performing surgery in one of the state run hospitals, recently.

The security in these state run hospitals is also cause for concern. There are no entry restrictions. Security is so bad that anybody can enter the hospitals premises and do as they wish. Without any access control solutions there is no accountability. Instances of child theft are at an all time high thanks to this laissez faire state.

Realizing that absenteeism had become a big liability for the government, the West Bengal health department decided to usher biometric time clocks in a phased manner. Expecting serious opposition from the Group D staff, the health department has decided that only Group A staff would be covered under the new attendance system using access control solutions biometric time clocks. Employee time clock software prepares a time log every time the user logs in and logs out. Employee time clock software is used for payroll accounting, workforce management and computing salaries at the end of the month.

Access control solutions are becoming the weapon of choice for the health departments across the length and breadth of India, as India wages a war against chronic absenteeism in government hospitals. The results are encouraging so far. The Group A officers have accepted the state governments diktat after some initial grumbling. However, the group D staff has yet to acquiesce to this system.

Why Biometrics?
Biometrics is the most reliable method for time keeping. This is because all attendance related transactions are validated with the help of biometric data like fingerprints, voice, color of the iris, gait and so on. Each transaction is recorded in a digital format and the transaction log is preserved for end of the month pay roll accounting.

The power of Biometric technology can be harnessed to make hospitals safe. Biometric Fingerprint door locks can be installed at vantage points for controlling entry. Only those related to the family can be given access. Fingerprint door locks can be installed at pharmacy store and maternity wards where most of the thefts take place.

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Important legislations influencing biometric security

September 28th, 2012

It is no secret that the biometric industry has ridden on the security wave post Nov 11. Post Nov 11, the US government laid down several policies for the purpose of homeland security, the FIPS 201 standards for personal verification is just one of them. Biometric fingerprint reader devices, like Futronic FS88 Fingerprint Scanner, have to be FIPS 201 consistent. The standard was laid down by NIST in response to HS Presidential Directive 12 that is discussed later in this article.

The key drivers of biometric security

The Home Security Presidential Directive 12 (2004) and the Prum Decision (2005) are the key drivers when it comes to the explaining the growth of the $10 Billion dollar, Biometric industry. The HS Presidential Directive 12 laid down the guidelines for protecting federal property and network resources. It mandated the standardization of federal employee identification system, protection of federal installations and resources, and setting up of training and research institutions for home land security. The objective of this directive was to prevent any repeat of the 9/11 accident.

The European Union got together and passed the Prum Decision a year following the HS12 directive. The original signatories included Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain. The treaty was signed in a small town in Germany, Prum. The Prum treaty laid down rules for sharing of data, including DNA and fingerprint data collected with the help of a Fingerprint Reader.

Following these directives, investment in the moribund biometric industry picked up considerably. The industry grew by doggedly pursuing quality. Government intervention also helped. The turnaround came when private players jumped in the fray, demanding biometric security enabled appliances at their place of business. Fingerprint readers such as Futronic FS88 Fingerprint Scanner and Futronic FS80 Futronic FS80 are ideal biometric security devices.

Why Biometrics?
The biometrics industry is tailor made for the security business. Biometrics uses immutable characteristics like fingerprints, iris patterns, voice data, and gait for identification purposes. The Futronic FS88 Fingerprint Scanner can be used to record fingerprint data which can then be used for identifying an individual. Biometric technology can be used in hospitals, dispensaries, hotels, restaurants, construction sites to provide access control and employee time clock.

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Biometric industry crosses $10 Billion

September 20th, 2012

The biometric industry has grown at a breathtaking pace in the last decade. According to reports, the biometric identification industry grossed more than ten billion dollars during last year. What explains the growth of this industry? How come it is so recession proof? Why is the government so keen on Biometric Devices? The answer to this question lies in the government mandate: Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12.

According to this directive, laid down in 2004, U.S policy is to enhance security, increase efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and protect personal privacy, by establishing a mandatory, government wide, identification policy for all federal employees and federal contractors. The directive was passed because it was observed that the prevailing system of identification was full of loopholes and presented a danger to national security. This directive spurred the biometric identification industry to improve its product and there has been no looking back since then.

Since the directive covered all federal buildings it became imperative to protect network resources too. Network resources included access to computers, servers, central and local database. The old system of access control, relying on a password system, was passé as it could be hacked. To avoid this from happening, the scope of the directive was extended to network resources as well. Biometric devices fitted the bill perfectly because it fulfilled all the requirements of the presidential directive when it came to operational capability, scalability and security.

Why Biometrics?
The directive called for the installation of a uniform, electronic, secure, tamper proof identification system for all federal employees and federal contractors. Biometric access control collects biometric data like fingerprints, iris pattern, and voice and uses it for verification purposes. Automated fingerprint identification system scans the finger and compares it with pre-recorded data to confirm the identity of the user. The newer generation of fingerprint scanner makes impersonation impossible. Thanks to this reliability, hotels, airports, public buildings rely upon automated fingerprint identification systems for security.

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M-Commerce needs Biometric Security Big time

September 20th, 2012

Desktops are passé, mobile devices are in. Mobile technology is advancing at such a breathtaking and fascinating pace that it has become increasingly difficult to keep track of what is new and what is old. In the not so distant future, it is not inconceivable to imagine mobile devices, like the iPad and the iPhone, taking over the role of desktops in an office setting.

As businesses move towards a cloud based business model, security will become paramount for survival in this business. Unfortunately, the existing archaic access control systems based on a system of passwords, will be blown to bits by a hacker who knows his game. If you think that cloud based platforms are safe, think again. Recently, Wired correspondent, Mat Honan, had his cloud connected Mac, iPhone and iPad hacked. If this can happen to a Wired correspondent, think what can happen to you. However, with stronger Biometric Security Systems, this type of hacking would not be possible.

We all know that M-Commerce or mobile commerce is going to be the next big thing. Banks, financial institutions, online trading companies are already hawking their wares online. However, when it comes to security, M-Commerce is still a long way from being reliable. The good news for consumers, having high hopes of M-commerce, is that the next generation of smart phones will be way smarter with inbuilt biometric access control software. This software will have a device to record your biometric data. This data will then be digitized with the help of powerful biometric access control software and sent to the cloud where it will be matched with recorded data. If there is a match, the user will be able to log in and complete the transaction as he wishes. This type of application will support cash transactions too. Right now, customers have to login with the use of passwords which is fraught with a lot of risk. Once smart phones are biometrically enabled, access to cash will become smoother, risk free and convenient.

Biometric security systems can be tailored to the requirement of any industry. This type of technology is almost here and it is believed that the next generation of Apple products will have inbuilt biometric readers.

Why Biometrics?
Biometric Access Control technology uses certain identifiable characteristics like fingerprints, retina, veins, voice, keystroke, and gait for validating the verification process. These characteristics are unique to every individual and cannot be replicated. Biometric data is collected during enrollment and stored in a secured database. Verification is done by comparing the information in the database with live data collected thorough a scanner. Biometric access control systems are foolproof, reliable and built to operate in the most challenging conditions.

Biometric Access Control has found widespread acceptance in the industry. The advantages include round the clock surveillance, remote login, time keeping and payroll accounting.

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Biometric technology being used in identification

August 29th, 2012

After the very successful National Identification scheme in India, biometric technology is yet again at the very forefront of integrating disenfranchised people into the national mainstream. This time it is in the rainbow country, South Africa. The pilot scheme will start this year and the card will be rolled out to the citizens from the next year. According to the home ministry officials, the scheme should be seen as an effort to restore people’s identity and citizenship denied by years of racist rule in South Africa.

The Smart ID card will contain biometric data and other demographic data like age and sex. The data will be collected with biometric scanner during the enumeration process and stored in the government database. This information will be used to roll out socials security schemes. South Africa is still struggling to integrate disenfranchised citizens into the mainstream politics and the Smart ID card seems to be a positive step in this direction. The earlier paper based Green Book ID card has been described as inadequate by politicians and social activist to solve many of South Africa’s inequities. Also, there is a rampant forging industry to content with that thrives on forging the ID card and siphoning social security claims.

The first phase of the national integration scheme will target people who have duplicate identification card. Once they have been successfully integrated into the national biometric identification scheme, efforts will be made to bring 83,000 citizens with multiple identities within the ambit of the scheme. The pilot scheme will help the government understand the technical requirements based on which procurement of finger scanner and fingerprint software will be made.

Secugen Hamster Plus is a high performance biometric data capturing finger scanner. It is packaged in a comfortable, ergonomic design that uses high quality optical sensors for quick and efficient data capture. It uses reliable Fingerprint software that identifies and matches the finger scan.

Secugen Hamster Plus USB Fingerprint Scanner works equally well in cold, hot, and dry conditions. It captures fingerprint data even if the hands are scarred, dirty, moist and old. This biometric scanner can be used for verification and identification purposes and effectively replaces password based login systems. Secugen Hamtser Plus can be used in banks, hospitality industries, educational institutions and government agencies. Government agencies can use it for dispensing social security welfare checks and ensure that the receiver is qualified to receive the government aid. The biggest problem for governments is to see that the aid receives the intended beneficiary and not someone who has forged the papers to receive the entitlement.

Secugen Hamster Plus USB Fingerprint scanner has all the qualities to make it a trustworthy biometric data capture device. Applications include E-commerce, B2B transactions, Electronic transactions, bank and financial systems, medical information systems and any other password based application.

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Biometric System and its role in Law Enforcement

August 28th, 2012

The use of biometric security systems in law enforcement is not a breaking news event any more. However, from a sheer biometric perspective, it is not a bad development at all as people are more attuned to what is happening in biometric technology and have accepted that biometrics will be an integral part of their lives. This is a small victory for the biometrics industry. Kudos to all!

However, this does not mean that the biometric industry is incapable of throwing a surprise, from time to time, that makes us sit up and wonder: “Is this really possible?” This is exactly what happened recently. A leading provider of identity and protection products for soldiers and civilians released their new application on Google Play, the Android marketplace. The free trial app allows the user to perform biometric identification using their android devices. The app will support biometric enrolment like iris scan, finger scan, and facial scan. However, you will need a fingerprint scanner, iris scanner or facial scanner to collect the data. Once the data is collected it can be sent to the database to collect biometric information of the sample.

This is breaking news. Just imagine all the good that can be done with these simple but powerful biometric security systems. A policeman patrolling on the streets can record biometric information like iris scan, finger scan or facial scan and tap into the central database in seconds. Depending on the information showing up on the central database, he can take the decision to apprehend or release the suspect. This will be a huge improvement over the current police reporting system which is time consuming and clumsy. In the current system, the suspect is apprehended and taken to the police station where he has to wait for hours for the background verification to be completed. This procedure is time consuming, inefficient and is bad publicity for the police administration. No wonder people complain about police harassment all the time.

Fingerprint readers like the Digital Persona U Are U 4500 Fingerprint Reader can easily be integrated into this system to make police administration work less chaotic. This fingerprint scanner is not limited to just police work; it can be used indoors too in restaurant, hospitals, offices, schools and more. Fingerprint reader windows 7 devices can be used for drug dispensation, prescription fulfillment, time and attendance, law enforcement and banking applications. Digital Persona’s U Are U 4500 Fingerprint Reader soft blue glow blends with any type of environment and does not conflict with the soft lighting in restaurants and health care facilities. Because of its special under coating it stays put in one place. It has a powerful optical sensor that can read fingerprint data from any angle.

This app has huge potential in schools, public administration, hospitals and defense. Yes, it will throw up a few privacy issues, but that is expected when there is a new development in technology.

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Biometric Solutions for the Aviation and Banking Sector

August 28th, 2012

Griaule is a well known software company behind more than 500,000 biometric transactions worldwide. This biometric software company provides well calibrated facial and fingerprint recognition biometric software solutions to clients all over the world. Over the last few years, it has collaborated closely with companies like Lumidigm to provide banking and e-passport solutions to clients in South America and the rest of the world.

Airports are being modernized all over the world to phase out manual verification procedure and replace it with automatic e-verification technology. In this light, E-Passport based verification, using technology similar to the Griaule ICAO Face SDK, will become more commonplace in the coming few decades, as a smooth transition is made to a passenger friendly environment at all airports. E-Passport systems will make passenger management systems smoother at the airports and remove the need to queue up to get security clearance. The United States is yet to embrace e-passport fully; however, many countries including France have already started using this system successfully.

Griaule has also provided its expertise to personalize the whole banking experience and make it more attractive and customer friendly. Griaule Fingerprint SDK, a Fingerprint recognition software development kit can be used in a banking environment to provide ATM logins. The use of fingerprint recognition biometric software in ATM’s dispenses with the use of pin numbers that can be stolen very easily. Fingerprint login in ATM machines makes it safer for the user to login and withdraw money. Recently, a conglomeration consisting of Granule, Lumidigm and Deobold Brazil took up a massive project in Brazil to enable 3500 ATM’s with biometric login technology. This project is one of the largest in Brazil when it comes to modernizing the banking; however, experts feel that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

More and more Brazilian banks will shift towards biometric ATMs in the near future. The reliability and user friendliness allows it to be used in remote unmanned locations. The new biometric validation used in these ATMs is reliable; customers can simply withdraw money by inserting the card in the slot and validating their fingerprint. The information is fed into the system and money is dispensed only if the sample provided and recorded data matches. This is method is foolproof because biometric fingerprint data cannot be duplicated or tampered. The fingerprint SDK reads only live data and the system cannot be fooled with silicon fingerprint impersonations. The fingerprint reader reads the distance between the ridges and valleys and to get a match. Here, it should be remembered that everybody has a unique fingerprint and the probability of two people having the same set of fingerprints is zero.

As a leading biometric software company, Griaule offers reliable fingerprint and facial recognition software to its vendors. Having won the 2008 Fingerprint verification competition, it has truly emerged as a world class company providing unique solutions to businesses as well as individuals.

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Using Biometric Attendance System in Hospitals

July 19th, 2012

Biometrics is often connected with security access control, but one of its main applications is for time and attendance in organizations. This is especially useful for the healthcare sector particularly hospitals. However, in the hospital environment with rough handling at these places, the older biometric attendance systems are not effective enough to operate.

Thus, one needs to invest in good quality biometric attendance system such as Futronic FS20. Most conventional systems and devices may fail to work in a hospital where extreme variations of temperature exist and where the number of regular staff member as well as visitors is huge. This biometric security access control system combined with fingerprint attendance software is designed to streamline all your operations by providing the needed safety as well as quick and easy access.

Devices like the Futronic FS20 are ideal to employ for biometric attendance systems in healthcare sector. Backed with efficient employee time clock software, these devices ensure that you don’t spend hours on administration of in-out timing and breaks of your doctors, nurses and other employees. Additionally, this is great to know the exact on-call duty time in case of emergencies and crises. The employee time clock software that works with fingerprint based biometrics attendance system will almost eliminate the lapses in the attendance system and help you enhance the productivity of your employees. If you offer services in the hospital then having an effective biometric fingerprint attendance device is a must-have.

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