Identix aims to keep up its momentum

Between US$65 million and US$100 million in biometric contracts could be awarded before the end of 2003, according to Identix. Naturally, the company hopes to win a significant proportion of these deals, and believes its current ‘momentum’ will prove to be key.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Saflink bucks industry ‘bad news’ trend

Biometric middleware vendor Saflink has bucked the biometric industry’s current ‘bad news’ trend with a spate of good news stories which mark a turnaround in the company’s fortunes. Not so long ago the vendor had been on the brink of financial disaster but it has managed to pull itself around, even getting re-listed on Nasdaq’s SmallCap market at the end of April — a feat accomplished by very few in recent times.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Identix expected to ‘perform’

A comprehensive report into the make up and performance of Identix has been released by Morgan Keegan’s equity research division. The report gives the fingerprint and facial recognition technology supplier a positive write up, and believes the company will perform in line with the S&P 500 over the next six months — and that it will outperform the growth of the biometrics industry as a whole.Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

VOICE.TRUST emerges onto European scene

German provider of speaker authentication solutions VOICE.TRUST has formalised its partnership with US company SpeechWorks International. The company, which was launched in 2000, uses SpeechWorks’ SpeechSecure speaker verification technology at the heart of its biometric-based authentication solution VOICE.TRUST Server.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

TWIC field testing underway

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded a five-month, US$3.8 million contract to government service company Maximus to help it field test various technologies that will lead to a common and universally-recognized Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The TWIC could potentially be used by 12 million transportation workers at seaports, airports and land transportation hubs.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Cross credentialing test to begin

A prototype system designed to recognise dissimilar ID credentials presented by visitors to US military and defence industry facilities is to be tested following a contract award to Northrop Grumman Corporation. Alongside the US Defense Department’s Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), Northrop Grumman’s Information Technology (IT) and Mission Systems sectors will lead a team developing the Defense Cross-credentialing Identification System (DCIS).Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Imagis to acquire Briyante

Facial recognition technology vendor Imagis Technologies has concluded negotiations and entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Briyante, a database and application development company.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security news.     

Government vote for optical cards

The Italian Government has awarded Drexler Technology Corporation an initial US$2.4 million order to supply combined optical memory chip cards for use as Italy’s national ID card. Called the Carta d’Identita Elettronica (CIE), they represent the first use of a LaserCard national identification card within the European Union. The citizen’s demographics, colour photograph, digitised signature, and other biometrics, such as the holder’s fingerprint, are to be contained in the optical memory stripe.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Match on card system for IT security

Swedish data security company Comex Electronics has teamed up with French smart card developer Oberthur Card Systems and Fingerprint Cards to develop an IT security system based on smart card and finger pattern verification.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Bioscrypt aims for year-end profit

Fingerprint technology provider Bioscrypt has reported strong second quarter results, with its revenue growing by 60% over the same period last year. The company also announced a series of high-profile contract wins to complement its good financial showing.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Viisage/ZN drive merger forward

Good progress is being made by Viisage Technology and ZN Vision Technologies following their merger announcement at the end of March. As well as filing preliminary proxy materials with the SEC (Security and Exchange Commission), the companies have announced their first collaborative contract win — Alberta, Canada’s drivers’ licence programme, reportedly the largest facial comparison project in Canada.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Fingerprint scroll wheel launched for mobiles

Designed for integration into laptops, PDA’s and mobile phones, DigitalPersona has announced a space-saving fingerprint sensor/ scroll wheel. The patented U.are.U Firefly roller-style fingerprint reader optically records the fingerprint image as the user glides their finger over the roller.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

EU visa system could be world’s biggest biometric project

There is currently no interoperability between existing national visa systems in Europe or the possibility to check reliably whether an applicant for a visa has applied under another identity. Step by step, however, the establishment of a common Visa Information System in Europe is getting closer, and, if rolled out, could turn out to be one of the world’s largest biometric projects.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Acsys wins face projects

Acsys Biometrics has won a number of healthcare-related orders in recent weeks using its facial recognition technology. The projects represent some of the first for the company that have progressed from a pilot phase to full system deployment.Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Serbia orders integrated ID system

The Republic of Serbia has ordered a US$21 million integrated identification system that will be used for both criminal and civil identification purposes. The system will include an automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS), facial and photo imaging and livescan fingerprint and palmprint scanning technologies.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security news.     

Precise Biometrics makes agreements

Following a successful working partnership, Precise Biometrics and Schlumberger have renewed an existing technical agreement and detailed how the companies will work closer in the future.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

New associations formed in Europe and Asia

Two new associations have been established to represent the biometrics industry in Europe and in Asia. The European Biometric Forum was launched in July and will be headquartered in Dublin, while the Biometrics Security Consortium was launched in Japan in June.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Korean customers pay with their fingers

In a bid to increase customer convenience and security, Korean discount store LG Mart has begun using a fingerprint payment system to remove the need for customers to use credit cards in the settlement process. The system has already been installed at two stores and will be rolled out to further outlets in the near future.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Indonesian workers to get biometric ID

A project to facilitate the travel of Indonesian workers between Indonesia and Malaysia came one step closer last month as contracts were awarded for the issuance of biometric-based identity cards. Malaysia is particularly dependent on foreign workers from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia in its plantation, construction, service and manufacturing industries. The biometric security identity cards will include personal information and fingerprints, as well as a photograph of the cardholder.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

One million sensors sold

A significant milestone has been reached by silicon fingerprint sensor provider AuthenTec as it announced the shipment of its one millionth sensor — the first in the industry to do so, the supplier claims. The sensor was shipped to Targus Group International, a provider of mobile lifestyle solutions, and will be embedded into its DEFCON Authenticator suite of notebook security products.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.