Fingerprint scanner

Suprema, globally renowned provider of security and biometrics, has announced that 2020 marks the company’s 20th anniversary. Suprema was founded in 2000 and the company has built a worldwide sales network in over 140 countries and number of users with Suprema technologies surpassed one billion. Access control systems major Suprema’s extensive range of portfolio includes access control systems, time & attendance solutions, mobile access solutions and fingerprint live scanners. The company has no.1 market share in biometric access control in EMEA region and named to the world’s top 50 security manufacturer. Based on innovative products and technology, Suprema has recorded a phenomenal mean annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%. At present, the company has more than 40% of its employees engaged in research and development and invest more than 16% of its sales in R&D each year. Emblem commemorating 20 years released Suprema announces a new emblem in commemoration of its 20th anniversary in 2020 To mark its 20 years of innovation, Suprema announces a new emblem in commemoration of its 20th anniversary in 2020. The anniversary emblem mainly consists of two colours. ‘Infinite Burgundy’ which is the brand colour of Suprema symbolises the infinite possibility with Suprema’s unique solutions and technical skills. With this brand colour, ‘Superior Purple’ has been added to represent the uniqueness and excellence of the company that retains trust from its 20 years of history and technology initiatives. "We would like to give special thanks to all our partners and employees who have made this possible," said the Founder and Chairman of Suprema, James Lee, adding. "Everyone at Suprema is ready to lead our next 20 years.” Ever-expanding global presence Suprema has grown into a corporate group with subsidiaries and affiliates in security and biometrics with the world’s best and exclusive technologies. Since Suprema HQ, a holdings company, earned a place on KOSDAQ in 2008, Suprema Inc. was listed again in 2016. Last year, Suprema ID which is an affiliate of Suprema was also listed successfully, and Suprema now plans to broaden its position in the world and gain a foothold in the global market.

Hikvision, a globally renowned provider of innovative security products and solutions, announced its new access control and time attendance offerings, the MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals, promising a new era of face recognition access control is coming. To meet a multitude of real-world scenarios and customer needs, the MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals lineup features four total series: Value Series, Pro Series, Ultra Series, and Face Recognition Modules for Turnstile. With powerful functions and competitive prices, the Value Series (DS-K1T341A/DS-K1T331) products have been uniquely designed for SMB scenarios, such as offices and retail shops. Fast, accurate recognition, even in darkness “We see great advantages in the ‘touch-free’ experience that face recognition provides. With advanced deep learning technology and diverse practical functions, we expect that MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals can bring more security and efficiency to our small and medium sized customers, making access control and time attendance much easier,” says Frank Zhang, President of the International Product and Solution Center at Hikvision. The enhanced verification rates and accuracy ensure a pleasant, “touch-free” experience for users Hikvision MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals are powered by a deep learning algorithm, which increases accuracy of face recognition to over 99% and enhances verification speeds to under 0.2 seconds. The enhanced verification rates and accuracy ensure a pleasant, “touch-free” experience for users – a vast improvement over swiping ID cards or fingerprint scans. Better security with face anti-spoofing Furthermore, MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals perform well in low- and even zero-light environments. Equipped with dual lenses – a visible light lens and an infrared lens – MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals will only grant access when both lenses detect the same person, as well as determine whether the face is actual, not an image. This anti-spoofing technology makes access control management much safer and prevents most attendance fraud. Along with door linkage, MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals can be linked with NVRs for data recording and storage. They can also be linked with network cameras to allow clear video recording of the scene when any pre-set events are triggered. Meanwhile, MinMoe products provide an abundance of third-party integration options for extensive compatibility, allowing quick and cost-effective connections between MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals and customers’ existing door control and attendance systems.

Pedestal PRO, a world renowned manufacturer for access control pedestals, in cooperation with 2N, an Axis company, has introduced a line of purpose-built pedestal solutions designed for use with the 2N IP Verso security intercom system. Integrators and 2N customers can choose from a selection of pedestal and housing options that provide the most elegant presentation of their 2N IP Verso units in settings that preclude wall-mounting. Pedestals are available in various heights and colours and may be paired with attractive housings configured to accommodate any combination of up to three 2N IP Verso Modules, including touch display, touch keypad, Bluetooth reader, fingerprint reader or RFID reader. In addition, special “tower-style” pedestals are available for entryways and lobbies, offering a beautiful, low profile design that complements the aesthetic of premium office space as well as the stylish 2N units. Available in powder coated steel Dimensions and mounting holes on all pedestals and housings have been engineered for the perfect alignment with the 2N modules, ensuring seamless, hassle-free installation. Pedestals are available in powder coated steel or are upgradeable to #304 stainless steel to match architectural facades, prevent rust and improve longevity. Customers can request customised height, width and colour, as well as adding additional cutouts and mounting patterns to accommodate third-party hardware. The company provides free CAD engineering services for all special orders. Standard models can ship as quickly as 24 hours; custom orders require just 12-15 business days. Security system manufacturers A “Search by Device” feature displays all Pedestal PRO models compatible with the IP Verso line The pedestals are suitable for the many indoor and outdoor applications where 2N IP intercoms are used, including industrial, commercial, apartments and gated communities. Pedestal PRO, which manufacturers turnkey pedestal solutions for a wide range of leading security system manufacturers, makes it easy for 2N customers and dealers to quickly find and purchase relevant pedestal and housing models via its website. A “Search by Device” feature displays all Pedestal PRO models compatible with the IP Verso line. Spec drawings, installation guides and care and maintenance instructions are all available for download. New mounting options "2N IP Verso is valued by customers who demand both premium performance, and style, from their intercom system. With new mounting options from Pedestal PRO, these customers can now mount their systems anywhere and feel confident that the impression they make, along with the user experience they deliver, are truly best-in-class,” said Pike Goss, CEO of Pedestal PRO. Pedestals are available for order on the company’s website. To learn more about Pedestal PRO solutions for 2N IP Verso, customers can visit Axis Communications in booth #14051, at ISC West, March 18-20 in Las Vegas.

Attracting trade visitors from across the subcontinent, the region’s most influential trade fair for the security industry, Secutech India, is scheduled to return for its 9th edition from 7 – 9 May 2020 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. With exhibitor registration still open, the fair has already attracted more than 350 of the world’s leading security brands with less than three months remaining before it commences. The 2020 exhibition will feature Axis Communication, CP Plus, Hikvision, ZKTeco, Infinova, Matrix, Toshiba and many more. Security devices and turnkey solutions The 2020 edition of Secutech India is set to reflect the country’s digital transformation Detailing the business value of the fair, Ms Regina Tsai, the General Manager of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd said: “Catering to local market requirements such as cost efficiency and a need for fast project implementation, Secutech India assembles the full range of security devices and turnkey solutions under a single roof. Benefiting from its position in Mumbai, India’s commercial centre, last year the fair attracted more than 20,000 buyers travelling from across India’s main regions, and we are looking forward to welcoming even more business this coming May.” The 2020 edition of Secutech India is set to reflect the country’s digital transformation. IP cameras are in high demand from SMEs, retail and the residential segment, while biometric access control systems are also gaining popularity in offices and at border controls, with users gradually favouring contactless systems such as facial recognition above fingerprint biometrics. Core security solutions In the view of Ms Tsai, this year’s fair is taking place at a favourable time for the regional industry: “The government aims to transform India into an electronics export hub, which will open up new opportunities for component manufacturers catering to the local manufacturing sector. But just as importantly, as part of India’s proposed Union Budget 2020, infrastructure development across roads, railway, airports, ports, and economic corridors are expected to raise demand for core security solutions including video surveillance, video analytics, biometrics and intruder detection systems." "The governments ‘Digital India’, ‘Smart City Mission’, and ‘Technology Empowerment’ initiatives will also be growth drivers.”  Access control in healthcare facilities As a maturing security market, the appetite for knowledge in India is growing" Among many benefits, the ability to make onsite comparisons, conduct meaningful business discussions and view product demonstrations are a few of the show elements that visitor’s to Secutech India value. According to Ms Tsai, business effectiveness is the top priority for the fair’s organisers: “Initiatives such as the ‘Secutech connect’ business matching service which links buyers with exhibitors based on industry background continue to be highly popular, helping us to generate genuine business outcomes for participants.” But beyond business, information exchange is also a priority says Ms Tsai: “As a maturing security market, the appetite for knowledge in India is growing. This is a need that the upcoming edition of Secutech India will cater for with a series of conferences dealing with topics relevant to the local market, including cyber security, smart city digital infrastructure; the convergence of 5G, artificial intelligence, data analytics and the IoT; access control in healthcare facilities, and fire safety in elderly care homes and restaurants.” Personal protection equipment In addition to its core focus on security, Secutech India 2020, in cooperation with the GPS Association of India, will feature a pavilion dedicated to fleet management, vehicle tracking as well as passenger and driver safety. The concurrent ‘Fire and Safety India’ event will also return as the destination for trade buyers to locate the latest firefighting gear, personal protection equipment and smoke detection systems.

3DX-Ray Ltd will be exhibiting their ThreatScan LS1 and LS3 X-Ray scanning systems at the forthcoming Security and Policing Home Office Event in Farnborough, UK from 3 to 5 March 2020 Designed for rapid deployment and ease of use, ThreatScan systems operate with the intuitive and user-friendly ThreatSpect software to produce high quality, sub-millimetre resolution images. ThreatScan X-ray scanning systems ThreatScan- LS1 is a lightweight, thin, portable and battery-powered large format x-ray scanning system. It has a large 600mm x 460mm imaging area that enables typical bags and packages to be scanned in one scan. It can penetrate up to 34mm of steel at 120kV and still produce high quality, sub-millimetre resolution images. ThreatScan- LS3 is a compact, yet powerful x-ray scanning system that can penetrate 34mm steel at 120kV as standard. The 305mm x 256mm imaging area enables typical bags and packages to be scanned in one scan. The complete system fits securely into a backpack, ideal for operations in remote locations. One can find 3DX-Ray on Stand No F22 at Security and Policing 2020.

FIME has been accredited to test biometric components in line with FIDO Alliance’s Biometric Component Certification Program. The accreditation enables device manufacturers and solution providers to ensure the quality and performance of biometric authentication solutions including fingerprint, facial, voice, and iris recognition. "In an age dominated by cumbersome passwords, biometric authentication delivers stronger security while improving UX. And in a post-PSD2 world, it’s a compelling option for the payments world to meet new Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements,” comments Stephanie El Rhomri, Vice President of Services at FIME. Usability of biometric authentication FIME offers a broad portfolio of biometrics services including consultancy, customised test strategy development, and expertise on use of biometric ISO standards. “Expanding our existing biometric offering is an important strategic move for us. FIDO Alliance is leading biometric authentication standardisation efforts and we’re proud to be sharing our support and expertise that we are developing with insights from two research projects to help advance its success.” continues El Rhomri. “The Biometric Component Certification Program is the first of its kind in the industry, enhancing the security, interoperability and usability of biometric authentication methods," Dr. Rae Hayward, Certification Director, FIDO Alliance said. “Support from testing experts such as FIME is invaluable to the continued success and adoption of our standards and, in turn, moving us closer to our goal of removing reliance on server-side passwords to authenticate users.”

Recent research shows most access control technology currently in use is not as secure or convenient as many security managers believe, according to day-to-day users of the system. In this HID Global white paper, you will discover what different companies look for in an access control system, why certain legacy access control systems may be vulnerable to attack, and why upgrading to a new access control system can result in huge benefit for enterprises and end users.  Find out more about: Access control new opportunities Main objections to access control systems Is your system as secure as you think? Ineffective access control policies Why upgrading can benefit enterprises Conclusion

Time and attendance has proven to be a successful use of biometric technology traditionally used for controlling access to highly sensitive areas Security technology is increasingly being used to help organisations tackle challenges going far beyond controlling access to office buildings and monitoring parking lot activity. Video, in particular, has become the darling of many markets. Retailers use live and recorded video to assess promotional sales efforts. Manufacturers confirm employees are following mandated safety regulations. Transit officials debunk false liability claims with a review of recorded mobile video. But here’s a relatively new one – biometrics. Long thought perfect for controlling access to highly sensitive public and private research and military facilities, they are showing up in offices, hotels — even in remote fruit fields and sugar processing plants — for employee time and attendance. It’s proven to be a successful use of the broad technology. Risks of mechanical and electronic clocks The process of keeping track of employees’ hours has long been open to fraud and other issues. Mechanical time clocks — in use since the 1800s — and even more modern electronic clocks using magnetic stripe or proximity cards are open to a process known as ‘buddy punching.’ That’s a scheme in which an employee clocks in and/or out for a friend who may be late or not even at work. Mechanical systems are also slow, potentially leading to long queues during shift changes resulting in wasted time and lost productivity. Mechanical cards also need to be keystroked into the payroll system, requiring significant back office time for data entry. Electronic cards can be shared. They may also be lost or stolen, costing additional time and money in back office expense. Even small errors in collecting and processing employee time and attendance can add substantially to the cost of payroll, already a major expense for any organisation. Studies by a leading international human resources consulting firm have shown even small payroll errors and fraud can boost operating costs by up to 10 percent. Biometric time and attendance solution But fraud, delays and lost credentials can be largely eliminated by a biometric solution. Common biometric systems involve hand or fingerprint readers, facial identification or iris recognition. Each technology records and then compares physical characteristics unique to every individual. However, changes in weight, hairstyle, finger or hand size, cuts or even the effects of manual labour can trigger the need for re-enrolment – in all except iris-based solutions. Fraud, delays and lost credentials can be largely eliminated by a biometric solution Iris recognition advantages The structural formation of the human iris (the visible coloured ring around the pupil), is fixed from the first year of life and remains constant. And few people can’t use the technology, as most individuals have at least one eye. Even blind people have successfully used iris recognition. At employee enrolment, iris systems utilise an industry-standard camera to capture an image of the iris. Software converts that to a small template stored in a terminal database. Authentication requires employees to stand roughly 18 inches from an iris reader and the process takes about two seconds. With multiple readers installed, long lines are eliminated. Also eliminated is fraud. Since every user’s iris is unique and required to be present at the reader, time fraud schemes are virtually impossible. The system can also prevent another type of back-office time fraud known as “ghost employees” – non-existent people added to the payroll. Security is also enhanced. The digital templates can’t be used to produce any sort of visual image, affording a high-level of defence against employee identity theft. An iris recognition system can also grant facility access as employee’s clock in for work. Iris recognition case study Here’s an example of how an iris recognition system has benefitted a major Turkish fruit and vegetable grower and one of Europe’s largest providers of juice. The nature of the local work force created a major time-and-attendance challenge. "Fingerprint and facial recognition systems were tried briefly. Facial recognition suffered from workers’ changes in hairstyle, facial hair, glasses and protective gear" New labourers arrive daily seeking work. Once hired, they might work a few days and then leave before returning a week later. Unreliable schedules made standard time cards virtually impossible to manage. The company’s security integrator suggested smart cards as an option. But that wasn’t much of an improvement as authorising, printing, distributing and tracking cards for thousands of on-and-off workers continued the human resources nightmare. Also, improper use of the cards threatened to cut into the company’s profits. Both fingerprint and facial recognition systems were tried briefly. The constant cuts and scars workers get from the manual labour impaired the accuracy of readers. Facial recognition suffered from workers’ changes in hairstyle, facial hair, glasses and protective gear. Daily payroll reports are transmitted to the company’s Istanbul headquarters using wide area networks in the fields and satellite communication. Software links the received data to a payroll module which automatically calculates employee hours and produces paychecks. The system currently has more than 10,000 enrolled workers. More are being added on an almost daily basis. Once a worker is in the system, it doesn’t matter how often he may leave. When he returns, the iris system immediately recognises him. Also, the contactless iris-based technology inhibits the transfer of virus or bacteria as there is no direct employee contact with the biometric readers. If these systems can work in remote areas of Turkey, they can certainly work in downtown Boston. And they do. There, a boutique hotel uses iris-based identity authentication to keep the hours of its employees. The same system also allows VIP guests to enter their suites without a key card. Reductions in cost Recent reductions in both product and deployment costs have made using biometrics, including iris recognition, a practical time and attendance investment for organisations of almost any size and in any location. Of course, biometrics still remains the go-to choice for protecting sensitive locations and international borders, as well as national identity and voter registration programmes.

Part 4 of our Security in Healthcare series    Secure visitor management integrated with physical access control systems (PACS) is increasingly popular Controlling visitors to hospitals and healthcare facilities can directly impact security. Traditional methods of visitor management, such as paper visitor logs and handwritten badges are insufficient given today’s variety of security challenges. A hospital using paper-based systems cannot easily cross-check information, confirm patient information, check visitor names against up-to-date watch lists, or visually confirm identity. For instance, one children’s hospital recently chose HID Global’s EasyLobby Secure Visitor Management solution to streamline screening/badging using driver’s licenses or other government-issued IDs. Integration with hospital databases enables benefits like accessing real-time patient feeds using Health Level-7 (HL7) standards. All visitor information Is seamlessly passed to the hospital’s access control system to optimise efficiency at nine stations badging more than 160,000 visitors annually. The example shows what technology can do in the area of visitor management. Today’s visitor management systems enable the screening, badging and tracking all visitors or, at a minimum, those visiting critical areas or “after hours” An increasingly popular and important application is secure and simplified visitor management, integrated with the physical access control systems (PACS). Today’s visitor management systems enable the screening, badging and tracking all visitors or, at a minimum, those visiting critical areas or during “after hours” periods, according to HID Global. Systems should support real-time patient feeds using HL7 integration, which ensures that no visitor is sent to the wrong location or to see a patient who is no longer checked in. Systems should also pre-register approved vendors and temporary employees through Status Blue integration, and support integration with access control systems for the most efficient badging. Barriers to visitor management "Due to financial limitations, many hospitals are trying to make do with older desktop technology, and have not been able to benefit from some of the newer efficient options, such as mobile tablet-based visitor management, "says Paul Terschuren, CEO, STOPware Inc. "And, some hospitals have the mistaken belief that the multiple entrances and complexity of a modern hospital facility pose a barrier to implement visitor management, or that managing visitors more closely will create an unwelcoming culture or environment," says Terschuren. "As a result, some hospitals only implement visitor management after hours, when the number of entrances and visitors is reduced." "However, neither of these ideas should be barriers", says Terschuren –" visitor management can be implemented at multiple entrances, including unstaffed entrances, and managed easily by the software. And, many hospitals have found that visible security improvements, when they are not overly burdensome, actually improve the feeling of safety and security with patients, visitors and families alike. Some hospitals with limited implementations are already realising this and changing their plans to implement systems hospital-wide." Visitor management can be implemented at multiple entrances, including unstaffed entrances, and managed easily by the software STOPware PassagePoint visitor registration STOPware specialises in visitor management, a critical element in physical security for hospitals and healthcare facilities. STOPware’s flagship software product, PassagePoint, provides visitor registration and pre-registration, visit approvals, identity confirmation, visit logging, and integration with access systems. STOPware also provides related hardware including self-registration kiosk, mobile registration tablets, credential scanners, and badge printers. As announced in March, PassagePoint software now integrates with HL7 to allow real-time patient location tracking for hospitals and healthcare facilities, as well as integration with more than 20 access control systems to help make the healthcare environment more secure. STOPware takes Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and all privacy regulations very seriously. The PassagePoint HL7 module only uses patient location data, and functions as a “listener;” that is, the data used by the module is not “stored” in PassagePoint. The HL7 integration only makes use of patient location data and does not collect or use any diagnosis information. PassagePoint is also designed to protect visitors’ Personal Identifiable Information – either by not capturing certain data or by encrypting information that is stored. By treating sensitive information of both patients and visitors in this way, STOPware Visitor Management system is designed to help healthcare facilities protect privacy in alignment with the letter and the spirit of their required regulations. Pre-booking and advance approval Tighter control of visitor and contractor management in non-public areas through pre-booking and advance approval are developing areas, says Dave Ella, Vice President of Product Marketing, AMAG Technology. AMAG has developed a new visitor management solution called Symmetry GUEST that allows visitors to be vetted to provide a safer and more secure environment for patients and staff, as well as the use of smartphones as identification and access credentials. "Guards, and general staff for that matter, need training on how to properly deal with unruly or inappropriate patients and visitors in such a way as to secure the situation" Staff training and turnaround processes are an often-overlooked element of a security plan in general, and a Visitor Management plan in particular, says Terschuren of STOPware. “It is well and good to put guards and checkpoints in place, but what should those guards do when they find someone that should be denied entry? Guards, and general staff for that matter, need training on how to properly deal with unruly or inappropriate patients and visitors in such a way as to secure the situation while minimising the chances of negative impact on the facility. “ STOPware expects that remote reception desk management, which makes use of an operator from another location and/or country who can greet and process visitors efficiently, will continue to grow and improve. Integration of Visitor Management systems with access control and other security-related systems provides for safety and an audit trail in such implementations. “We are also seeing a groundswell of interest in Mobile Visitor Registration and Kiosk Self-Registration and Sign-ins,” says Terschuren. “These systems increase efficiency, empower visitors, and provide for a better visit experience that many facilities find compelling.” Combining identity verification and visitor management “We are also seeing the growing importance of identity verification; and, in particular, the use of biometric methods to verify identity, ranging from fingerprints and facial recognition all the way to higher security iris readers,” Terschuren adds. “Identity verification can tie in with Visitor Management, both in terms of identifying visitors, but also in terms of verifying the authority of hosts and approvers, to improve the security of sensitive areas and facilities in general.” One other growing technology is the ability to link to internal or governmental watch lists, to quickly identify inappropriate visitors before they gain access to the facilities. For example, Visitor Management systems can be configured to perform a Sex Offender search in both Children’s Hospitals and Pediatric areas, further decreasing the likelihood that someone of the list could gain access. Read Part 5 of our Security in Healthcare series here

As the deal/no deal prospects of Brexit are tossed in a whirlwind of UK and EU politics, the uncertainty of the back-and-forth has broadly impacted general economic trends, and by extension, the physical security market. The new deadline for a Brexit agreement is October 31, already postponed six months from the scheduled April 12 departure date. Numbers show that Britain’s GDP shrank in the second quarter, possibly reflecting fewer exports because of Brexit uncertainty. And beyond the current indecision lies the long-term impact of a possible change in trading status between the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Other issues include capital flow and labor mobility. Brexit uncertainty leading to security concerns Loss of shared information with the EU will make the UK less safe “Companies … are unclear about their future,” comments Martin Warren of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. “Companies are making decisions now about jobs, supply chains, headquarters and asset locations, incurring significant, and possibly unnecessary, cost and upheaval.” Warren fears the destructive effects of a ‘no deal’ outcome and hopes politicians will break the deadlock and restore business confidence. Security implications of Brexit extend beyond economics. Loss of shared information with the EU will make the UK less safe. Extradition across EU borders will be more difficult, and exchange of data such as fingerprints and vehicle registrations is at risk. The Irish border after Brexit is of particular concern to security professionals. Countering threat of international terrorism Robert Hall of London First and Alison Wakefield of Security Institute say the security impact of departing the EU will be long lasting and profound. “In security terms, the UK will still have to contend with international terrorism, transnational crime and the global movement of people, all challenges that require wide scale cooperation.” They add that leaving the EU will require “a significant investment in people, resources and databases to cope with the anticipated volumes of traffic through ports, airports and tunnels.” Analyst company IHS Markit earlier commented about the impact on the security industry of Brexit’s drag on the UK economy, “Access control, intruder and fire alarm markets typically track construction rates closely and are forecast to be affected most. However, a large cut to infrastructure spending would be just as damaging to the video surveillance market.” UK security companies prefer ‘soft exit’ from EU If a ‘soft exit’ trade deal is not negotiated, the UK would have to revert to WTO trade rules If a ‘soft exit’ trade deal is not negotiated, the UK would have to revert to World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade rules, which means tariffs on trade between the UK and the EU, says IHS Markit. There are five British-based access-control and intruder-alarm vendors supplying the European market in significant quantity – each with revenue exceeding $10 million. IHS Markit estimates these companies combined account for less than 10 percent of total European, Middle-Eastern and African (EMEA) market revenues for both industries.  Uncertain future of UK security marketplace Asset protection specialist VPS Security Services has warned that the ongoing Brexit saga will likely lead to a rise in vacant commercial and residential properties as developers and investors are more reluctant to move forward with their UK real estate strategies. Seemingly endless machinations and shifting proposals are making the eventual outcome of Brexit very much a guessing game. Uncertainty translates into a volatile and changing outlook, and the eventual impact on the broader economy is an open question. As a reflection of that economy, the security marketplace will inevitably feel the economic impact, too, not to mention the new security challenges likely to ensue.

“These are children. There is no reason to scan a kid. Just because the government can do this is no reason the government should be doing this.” The impassioned argument, quoted by The Florida Current, comes from a Florida state legislator who introduced a bill aimed at stopping public school systems from collecting biometric data on children. The ominous-sounding practice actually has a practical side – use of a fingerprint or palm scan can enable a school system to get thousands of students through a lunch line in a short period of time. The schools have found a quick fingerprint scan is faster, and more secure, than use of an identity card or PIN number. The system has been used in 83 schools for several years in one district and reflects an investment of $300,000, according to the newspaper. The system could also be used to identify parents, employees and volunteers, which could help to prevent strangers from sneaking into a school function.  It may fall to those in the security market who understand the technology to provide the needed information to defuse concerns The proposed bill, which is “pending reference review,” would provide for parental notification of data collected on students by schools. (It also would require the school to phase out Social Security numbers, replaced by a unique ID number developed by the state Department of Education.) I'm not sure exactly what the problem is with “scanning a kid,” as long as there are no adverse health effects, a concern I am sure has been addressed (and in any case was not an argument presented in Florida against the technology). I don't have a problem with parental notification; it's the underlying attitude toward technology implied in the bill that I find troubling. As I understand it, the intent of biometric systems is to confirm an identity. A student enrols in the system with a fingerprint or palm print scan, and the system stores only data points from that scan, which are compared with data points when the individual uses the system again. The system doesn't actually store a complete fingerprint, and there is no massive centralized database of children's fingerprints that could be stolen or otherwise compromised. If I'm wrong, someone correct me – please. Too often, negative responses to technology are based on misunderstanding. Emotions can get in the way of information. It may fall to those in the security market who understand the technology to provide the needed information to defuse concerns. UPDATE: Florida’s Senate Bill 188, which imposes a blanket prohibition on the use of biometric identification technology within the Florida public school system, was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott on May 12, 2014. This despite a letter from the Security Industry Association opposing the bill. SIA’s letter read in part: “While SIA understands the legislature’s concern for protecting the privacy of Florida students, we are troubled that widespread misperceptions about the nature and use of biometrics technology has enabled passage of the bill without a thorough debate examining the student safety and local economic implications — and despite any reported cases of identity theft or misuse of information collected by such systems.” 

HID Global, globally renowned company in trusted identity solutions, has announced that the traffic branch of the Singapore Police Force has deployed an electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) system that uses HID Lumidigmâ V-series Fingerprint Sensors to verify the identities of driver’s license applicants.  Lumidigmâ V-series Sensors The HID Lumidigm sensor’s patented multispectral imaging technology has helped improve identity-verification speed and efficiency as compared to their previous paper-based process, and its proven liveness-detection capabilities significantly diminish the risk of fraudsters compromising the eKYC system. The new eKYC system improves security by using fingerprints to verify the “true identity” of driver’s license applicants Deployed by HID partner Secur Solutions Group at Singapore’s three driving schools, the new eKYC system improves security by using fingerprints to verify the “true identity” of driver’s license applicants. The speed and reliability of the Lumidigm sensors has enabled the entire enrollment process to be performed at kiosks in seconds, from fingerprint capture through matching against the actual identity documents (NRIC/Work Permit). Fingerprint sensors The Singapore Police Force is now enrolling 500 to 700 individuals a day at the kiosks since deployment and has cut almost 1,500 man-hours of labor per month since eliminating its staffed counters and manual workflow. “The HID Lumidigm sensors have outperformed all alternatives with respect to speed, accuracy and consistency of image acquisition regardless of finger or environmental conditions,” said Tseng Wun Hsiung, CEO of Secur Solutions Group. “New opportunities are being considered for service enhancement and parts of the eKYC system are being evaluated for integration.” Integrated with multispectral imaging technology HID’s V-Series Lumidigm sensors were the first fingerprint products certified to the ISO standard HID Global’s patented multispectral fingerprint imaging technology captures unique characteristics from the finger’s surface and subsurface, which is particularly important for the Singapore Police Force’s eKYC system because it serves a large population spanning many ages, ethnicities and skin types. The Tseng Wun Hsiung technology works reliably with normal, wet, dirty, dry or damaged fingers, and in sunlight or wet or cold conditions. Field-updatable liveness detection is employed to distinguish between the captured biometric data from a real living person versus a plastic, fake or other artificial fingerprint copies. HID’s V-Series Lumidigm sensors were the first fingerprint products certified to the International Standards Organisation (ISO) standard focused on anti-spoofing and liveness detection. Fingerprint recognition  “HID Global is delighted that our Lumidigm V-series sensors are delivering unparalleled accuracy in fingerprint data capture for the Singapore Traffic Police’s new eKYC system,” said Sujan Parthasaradhi, Director, APAC, Extended Access Technologies Business Area, HID Global. “We have no doubt our solutions will continue to give the Singapore Traffic Police the confidence of standards-validated spoof protection at their driving schools while helping them sustain the highest levels of efficiency and customer service.”

HID Global, global provider of trusted identity solutions, has enabled BigWise, a global provider of wise solutions worldwide, to bring the security and convenience of biometrics to its retail and restaurant customers. BigWise went from concept to a pilot of its new biometric-enabled Stellar POS platform at a major customer within 30 days using the HID DigitalPersona fingerprint biometric solution. HID DigitalPersona fingerprint biometric solution HID’s fingerprint biometric solution significantly shortened our path for secure fingerprint biometric authentication" “HID’s fingerprint biometric solution significantly shortened our path for adding secure fingerprint biometric authentication services to our Stellar POS platform,” said Jose Rivas, founder and CEO, BigWise Corporation. He adds, “We were able to move very quickly to give our customers valuable new capabilities for stopping internal theft and fraud while simplifying employee access to the Point of Sale (POS) terminal. We expect our lead customer to roll out this new biometric-enabled Stellar POS solution in their operations in the very near future and are excited about the product’s broader market opportunities for us.” EikonTouch fingerprint biometric readers Taking advantage of DigitalPersona’s intuitive biometric software development tools, BigWise added fingerprint biometrics to their POS offering in a matter of weeks. The new solution allows customers the flexibility of choosing the HID Fingerprint biometric reader that meets their requirements, including the DigitalPersona 4500 and EikonTouch fingerprint readers. With the addition of fingerprint biometrics, Stellar POS gives organisations not only a more convenient way to login to their POS terminals but also allows them an effective way to stop labor hour fraud as well as POS theft due to unauthorised manager overrides and approvals. Stellar POS end-to-end solution “We are pleased to have helped BigWise complete this biometric authentication pilot and shorten time to market for its exciting new offering,” said Wladimir Alvarez, senior director of Sales LAM, Extended Access Technology Business Unit with HID Global. “In addition to securing their POS systems DigitalPersona fingerprint biometrics finally allows Bigwise customers to eliminate their dependence on insecure and costly passwords and swipe cards.” Stellar POS provides an end-to-end solution from the store floor or restaurant counter Stellar POS provides an end-to-end solution from the store floor or restaurant counterStellar POS provides an end-to-end solution from the store floor or restaurant counter through the full range of inventory, logistics and production processes and makes it easier to manage offers and promotions, loyalty programs, and accounting and treasury operations. BigWise sells the Stellar POS solution primarily in Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Peru. Identity management HID DigitalPersona biometric readers along with the DigitalPersona software development kit (SDK) solves security and identity management challenges for hundreds of millions of users around the world. To get developers off to a quick start, HID’s DigitalPersona developer kit includes hardware samples, downloadable royalty-free SDKs, sample code, documentation and membership in HID Global’s Crossmatch Developer WebPortal.

Kings Secure Technologies has provided high-level security and protection to one of its leading clients since 2011. Due to this successful long-term relationship, Kings was commissioned to begin a project, which started in 2019, to update the existing access control system with the latest high security card and card reader technology. With facilities working 24/7 the challenge faced was to find an easy-to-install edge technology card reader that could be configured onsite to read multiple card technologies where required and be field upgradable with any new advances in security. With these complex requirements in mind, Kings turned to Third Millennium to provide the most advanced technical solution available in the market. RX range of card readers The project also required the implementation of biometric dual authentication for the more secure areas Kings utilised Third Millennium’s RX range of card readers which incorporates the second evolution of NXP industry-leading MIFARE® DESFire® EV2 open architecture platform. Third Millennium’s PC09 Mifare DESFire EV2 cards offer superior performance, state-of- the-art security, privacy and enhanced multi-application support such as follow me printing and vending, to name just two. In addition to the RX4 and RX1K readers, the project also required the implementation of biometric dual authentication for the more secure areas. Third Millennium’s RX6 biometric reader uses a template on card application which means that there is no requirement to maintain a separate database of biometric information. The RX6 compares the finger template on the card with the finger being scanned and releases the card data if the two match. Because of the high security requirement, a custom encrypted key ties the readers to the cards thereby preventing card cloning or data bugging.

Ahli United Bank (AUB) is a leading financial institution providing banking, investment, and wealth management services from 147 branches in eight countries. Utilising Gallagher’s business and security solutions in Bahrain since 2008, Ahli United Bank decided in 2017 to undertake a full upgrade of the systems at its headquarters. Installing controlled doors As part of upgrading the full product suite at its Bahrain Headquarters – which included all controlled doors and software – Ahli United Bank (AUB) also took the opportunity for a complete re-design of the set-up and locations of its security system. The bank was committed to finding a product that was cost effective and had a long life expectancy. While researching their options, AUB management saw a demonstration of Gallagher’s Mobile Connect technology and were immediately convinced that this was the ideal product for the bank’s upgrade. Gallagher Mobile Connect uses Bluetooth wireless technology to enable users to badge at a reader using a smartphone  Gallagher Mobile Connect In late 2018, AUB began testing the new mobile solution on site then to be rolled out to most of its staff at headquarters. Gallagher Mobile Connect uses Bluetooth wireless technology to enable users to badge at a reader using a smartphone instead of an access card. A huge benefit for AUB is the solution’s capability to add additional layers of security where needed. Gallagher’s Mobile Connect solution provides the option to apply two-factor authentication via the smartphone – either fingerprint, PIN, or facial recognition – delivering heightened security over access to restricted areas. According to AUB’s management, the two-factor capability was very appealing to them. “Using mobile with facial recognition is far more secure than card and PIN, and it’s immensely more cost-effective than buying biometric readers,” they said. Temporary remote access control From an administrative and site management perspective, Gallagher Mobile Connect provides AUB with significant flexibility. Easy provisioning means that authorised staff can remotely allocate temporary access in advance and can also schedule when a user’s access can begin and end – ideal for visitors and contractors who come to the bank’s headquarters. Beyond Mobile Connect, readers and controllers, AUB uses Gallagher’s security software platform, Command Centre, to manage alarms and access for its headquarters and all branches, all from a centralised location. “The power of Command Centre is enormous,” said AUB’s Management. “It integrates with our CCTV equipment and gives excellent oversight of our operations.”

Police forces recognise biometrics as a potentially critical tool to improving the quality and efficiency of policing across the globe. As part of a diverse Digital Authentication strategy, automated facial recognition surveillance is becoming an integral part of our digital policing, with the UK Home Office planning to invest a huge £97 million into a broader biometric technology approach to safeguard our streets. Automated facial recognition surveillance Digital fingerprint-based authentication is still widely regarded as having a higher level of maturity However, the latest court case against the South Wales Police as well as the Amazon backlash over the sale of its technology to the US police has highlighted that acceptance of the use of biometric technology as much as the maturing of the technology is important to achieve the expected benefits for the police. Digital fingerprint-based authentication is still widely regarded as having a higher level of maturity, has an implicit acceptance linked to the identity of the individual and delivers a lower false positive result. Facial recognition, when used as a stand-alone biometric, suffers from the risk of challenge or refusal to accept as in the case of the challenge to the South Wales Police pilot program. In addition, gender and racial bias as well as scenarios such as poor lighting and individuals wearing accessories impacts on reliability. Advancements in biometrics There is clearly a need to focus on how biometrics, as technology matures, can support identity verification at scale and to gain widespread public acceptance as part of a wider digital policing initiative according to Jason Tooley, Chief Revenue Officer at Veridium. Jason comments: “Police forces around the world are looking to integrate the latest advancements in technology to enhance public security and cut costs, and biometric solutions are integral to this movement. With the maturing of biometrics techniques and many different scenarios to address, it’s imperative to use the right biometrics for the right requirements and to create a strategy that facilitates the use of multiple biometrics. We would advocate an approach that abstracts the identity verification and digital authentication processes from the services and creates a biometric platform to match the specific requirements of the police and the public.” Fingerprint recognition Fingerprint, being the most mature and widely used biometrics, has high levels of acceptance today" He adds, “There are current barriers to the acceptance of biometrics which will be overcome as trust in the technology becomes the norm. Fingerprint, being the most mature and widely used has high levels of acceptance today and is easily adopted by police and public. It requires public acceptance and doesn’t work for wider surveillance techniques but for individual verification, police moving to a digital fingerprint capture mechanism rather than physical has great benefits and the public are more likely to be accepting of enrolment. Facial recognition would be a surveillance at scale solution but the challenges of maturity and external factors as well as public acceptance are challenges to be overcome in the future.” Jason continues, “It is imperative for police forces to take a strategic approach as they trial biometric technologies, and not solely focus on a single biometric approach. With the rapid rate of innovation in the field, an open biometric strategy that delivers the ability for the police to use the right biometric techniques for the right requirements will accelerate the benefits associated with digital policing and achieve public acceptance by linking the strategy to ease of adoption.”

Princeton Identity Inc., a provider of secure biometric security systems, has announced the deployment of its Biometric Conex, designed to assist customers with quick and accurate personnel authentication for campuses and facilities. The Conex is a 20-foot long standard shipping container outfitted with on-the-move facial, iris and fingerprint biometric capture technology, which can be operational in less than 24 hours. Biometric Conex Princeton Identity is showcasing the Biometric Conex at the 2018 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition this week in Washington, DC The first two containers will be shipped in October to government facilities. Princeton Identity is showcasing the Biometric Conex at the 2018 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC. The Conex’s combination of patented authentication technology and portable configuration give organisations the flexibility to deploy these high throughput, accurate authentication units anytime, anywhere. Biometric high-throughput system The multi-modal, biometric high-throughput system offers more secure rapid personnel authentication and the following features: Face, dual iris, and 8 fingerprint rapid enrollment of personnel and on-the move multi-modal personnel identification Throughputs of over 15 people per minute Self-contained or networked configurations Allow list and watch list capable Can support large personnel database configurations Climate controlled, air conditioned and weatherproof Can be powered by a generator and comes with UPS backup Facility entry control The Biometric Conex eliminates these issues and provides a more accurate, seamless entry process Current facility entry control procedures generally rely on credentials or limited biometric information to allow entry. In many cases, these procedures can cause excessive queuing, require extensive manpower, and are limited in their identification accuracy. The Biometric Conex eliminates these issues and provides a more accurate, seamless entry process. It contains a rapid enrollment station to simultaneously register subjects’ biometric signatures – fingerprints, face and irises – which takes less than a minute to process. The fusing of these three separate biometric modalities ensures the highest level of identification accuracy and eliminates potential spoofing attacks. When subjects enter the Conex, they walk through at a normal pace without stopping or touching any sensors, gain clearance, and are granted access to the facility. Contactless iris authentication “The government engaged with Princeton Identity to provide these units because we are the only identification firm with patented walkthrough, contactless iris authentication capabilities to support large groups of people,” said Mark Clifton, CEO of Princeton Identity. “Our software and physical hardware provide versatile identity authentication solutions designed to verify and manage individuals’ identities for a wide range of physical security and access applications, and we are already exploring other commercial uses for the Biometric Conex.”