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.

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.

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.

The early morning routine for most children and their parents involves getting out of bed and getting the dressed for school. While this is usually resisted by the young ones, they usually brighten up once they reach and meet their friends in the school bus. This is a wonderful everyday scene, but have you wondered that something may go wrong! What if the driver is replaced? What if a stranger gets into the bus claiming to be a parent? The possibilities are endless; hence biometric authentication for school buses is a must.

In fact, Washington County School System in Florida is already in process of introducing the fingerprint door locking system for their buses. The working of this is quite simple; the buses install the fingerprint recognition devices like the Nitgen Fingkey Access. Next, the fingerprints of all the students as well as parents, drivers and teachers are stored in the database of the device. This ensures complete security and acts as a great access control systems.

Along with safety, this acts as a great management aid. For instance, most schools already have scanners and video cameras in school, but to keep track of students outside, the fingerprint door lock on buses is a great way. With biometric authentication, you may easily take a head count and attendance. The access control systems like Nitgen Fingkey Access are ideal for keeping record of the drivers and helpers of the buses.

When it comes to children, you would want utmost security, so it is likely it would work in your favor when it comes to building credibility.

The US economy has been one of the strongest and most consistent economies in the world since many decades. Thus, people across the world are attracted to this country for job opportunities along with their aspiration for a high standard of living. Also, it is one of the top tourist destinations across the globe, which is why travelers flock here every peak season.

To manage the tourists as well as immigrants, the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) is in place. This technology uses the biometric devices encompassing dual fingerprint scanners like Crossmatch verifier 310 and Crossmatch Verifier 320 to keep a record of every single individual who enters the country.

Currently, they use biometric fingerprint readers and photographs to determine whether travelers and immigrants can legally enter and stay in the country. The information thus gathered, is then provided to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration.

To further enhance security, they are now applying other biometric devices like the iris recognition scanners, face recognition scanners, etc. This upgrade has been carried out so that multiple layers and a combination of safety measures will help reduce crimes and terrorism that have been plaguing the country. Additionally, it will also help reduce the number of illegal immigrants.

The information received from biometric fingerprint readers like Crossmatch Verifier 310 LC, Crossmatch Verifier 320 LC as well as other devices is verified by the federal government. This data is also checked against a list of criminals, terrorists, felons and other people who violate the law. By processing more than thirty thousand entries in a day, these biometric processes are expected to help make the country one of the safest commercial and tourist destinations in the world.

Biometric identification is already in use at most places in the United States, thanks to its accurate and easy way of keeping records and enhancing security. Getting into the same boat, UK has now taken up various devices similar to Secugen Hamster IV and Secugen Hamster Plus fingerprint scanner for its important locations.

One of the events, where fingerprint readers and other biometric devices are used is the upcoming Olympic Games in the country. The Olympic Games is an event that has participants coming from more than 200 nations. Its origin dates back a few centuries in Greece, and it has now reached an international level. Here, exceptional athletes come and showcase their talents. It is held every two years in summer and winter seasons, and this year more number of countries are expected to join in. An occasion so grand and prestigious undoubtedly requires a global level of security, which is almost foolproof.

Layers of authentication like personal checking of documents, security guards, etc. are employed for this event. UK has gone one step ahead and used biometric devices that are similar to Secugen Hamster IV and Secugen Hamster Plus fingerprint scanners, available in the US. These scanners keep a record of over ten thousand athletes that have come over from different countries. Besides classifying prints of sports people, the fingerprint readers can help store data of family members, guests, coach and the media staff.

UK has chosen fingerprint scanning and other systems, as they are an almost foolproof way of keeping the talented sportsmen and women safe. Additionally, they are a major deterrent against terrorist activities that have threatened the country in the past. Biometric identification and checking also avert illegal immigration and eases access for athletes from the airport itself.

Reports about patients being given wrong treatment due to mistaken identity or mix-ups in medical data are not uncommon. Such events may have crippling effects and may even result in fatalities. Besides, the medical institution and the doctor would lose the goodwill they have built over the years. Thus, accurate maintenance of records in the healthcare industry is vital. And biometric identification is here to help with this cause.

These biometric identification systems are based on particular physical characteristics of human beings, which are very unlikely to change over time. For example, the Secugen Hamster Plus fingerprint scanner takes into accounts the grooves and ridges of fingertips, which not only stay the same throughout one’s life, but are also specific to an individual. These fingerprint readers help identify you in case of both emergencies as well as regular checkups. Your identification would include everything from basic information regarding your name, height and weight to allergies andprevious surgeries. Plus, they consolidate all your medical information on a single database.

Another key advantage of biometric identification is the maintenance of privacy. Only once you lay your finger on the Secugen Hamster Plus fingerprint scanner can anyone access your medical information. Unlike information stored in bulky binders or computerized files, this system helps make you feel secure and confident that your private medical history is limited only to you and your doctor.

The entry of fingerprint readers in the healthcare industry is slow. Medical professionals are taking time to adapt to this new system. But, testimonials by early adopters have proved their accuracy and convenience.

In a Hollywood action movie, you are likely to see the protagonist crack the toughest of security codes, including biometric access control systems. While these culminate into a great recipe for a thrilling movie, real-world biometric identification systems are nearly impossible to fool. In fact, these are considered to be the most infallible security measures in recent times.

Most popular among these are fingerprint reader software and iris scanners. Just like fingerprints are unique to each individual, so is the trabecular meshwork of the iris of the eye of each and every individual. To begin an iris scan, an individual’s face is placed in a way that the eye is between three and ten centimeters from the iris scanner. A CCD digital camera within the device captures an image of the eye, which includes the center of the pupil, the edge of the pupil and the iris, along with the eyelids and lashes. Then, in the way the fingerprint reading software matches patterns to the centralized database; the software of the device analyzes the complex patterns of the iris using mathematical algorithms to match the current imagewith stored records.

Unlike fingerprint reader software, which uses 60 to 70 points of measurement; iris scanners uses 200 point of measurements. This makes them one of the most accurate systems of biometric identification.

Iris scanners are commonly found in immigration channels and high-security vaults. Yet, installing them for enhanced security seems to enjoy an upward trend amongst high-profile organizations today. Since the future seems to be that of non-contact scanning security, iris readers may well play a central role in it.

Did you know that biometric technology has been around since 29,000 B.C.? At the time, it was in the form of handprints that cavemen used to sign their artwork. In 500 B.C., business transactions in Babylonia were signed with fingerprints on clay tablets.

Yet, surprisingly, the technology isn’t as widespread as you would expect it to be. Several factors have contributed over the years toward the slow adoption of biometric technology. Primary among them is the cost associated with the procurement, installation and implementation of biometric systems. The Unisys Security Index surveys indicate that adding users to the system, which is a pre-requisite for any kind of authentication, is challenging in the case of biometric computer security, depending on the trust value of the organization using the system.

Despite these issues, banking, research, government and military organizations have adopted biometric logins as their primary authentication technology. Of late, the price points of technology required for fast and accurate biometric authentication have dropped significantly, making it viable for small- and medium-sized private enterprises to deploy biometric login or authentication systems as well.

Over the years, biometric systems have evolved from a new technology used in closed environment applications to a useful, practical, fit-for-purpose tool used across a wide range of industries and in a variety of applications. The Global Biometric Forecast to 2012 anticipates that its markets will grow at a CAGR of about 22% between 2011 and 2013. North America is touted to be the most dominant player, closely followed by the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Governments are the largest customers of biometric computer security and are expected to remain so.

Thus, we see that the biometrics market has been growing at a steady pace in recent times. The growth is being supplemented by hardware and software developments in the field that help increase its reach and scope from organizations to individuals. Smartphone apps with biometric authentication are now rearing their head. If the current market growth and pace of development sustain then we are certain to witness the fulfilment of the Global Biometric Forecast in the not-so-distant future.

The bank, in Nairobi, which caters to over 4 million accountholders and spans a massive chain of 115 branches, secured CompuLynx’s assistance in developing a biometric identification system to enhance security and minimize fraud and theft.

In a country where national IDs are non-existent, a secure integration of biometric devices in the banking system was necessary to deal with security issues that plague the bank and its users.

The problem of authentication, recognition and registration is a major hassle in banks worldwide. While most of the banks have already implemented biometric solutions to safeguard their clients’ interests, Kenya’s underdevelopment has disallowed it to keep pace with the current security developments.

CompuLynx has installed SecuGen Hamster IV biometric identification devices that will identify bank accountholders accurately using a Central Biometric Database that will create and store one biometric profile per person in order to enable first-time registration for users.

SecuGen Hamster IV was chosen due to its high image quality, affordability and rugged construction. Due to its configuration, this is one of the biometric devices that comes with an ultra high-speed capability, thereby allowing it to process up to 50,000 fingerprints to check for duplication. It also enhances connectivity across the several branches of the bank, as they are all connected with the database so as to enable efficient cross-referencing by the biometric identification system.

Biometric identification has greatly influenced how companies now perceive and tackle security concerns. There has been a significant reduction in cases of identity theft and fraudulence since Biometric Devices streamline the entire process for the bank’s retail customers. SecuGen Hamster IV is also used in various other places such as financial, medical, educational, governmental and corporate institutions.