New Biometric Products Help Fight Fraud

Las Vegas

Several new security products using biometric technologies thatidentify individuals using unique biological data such asfingerprints or iris patterns were introduced here at Comdex Fall2001, the annual technology conference and exhibition.

LG Electronics, based in Seoul, South Korea, introduced its newbiometrics security system, “Iris Access 3000.” The system capturesand processes eye recognition information in less than one secondby using “illuminated infrared light,” according to the company,which added that the light is “safe for the eye, meeting safetystandards for U.S. and European markets.”

According to LG, the identification process “operates perfectlywith eyeglasses and contact lenses from a distance of 3-to-10inches.”

The company said its research indicates that the biometricsmarket will grow to $1.8 billion by 2004, including “an annualgrowth rate of 61 percent.” It further noted that “verticalindustries including banking, healthcare and government agenciesare increasingly turning to iris scanners, voice recognitionsoftware and fingerprint scanners as simple, cost-effective meansof securing networks and improving accountability for informationand facility access.”

“Iris Access 3000,” to be sold globally via distributors, iscomprised of several components, the company noted.

An Enrollment Optical Unitplaced on a desk or table adjacent tothe servercontains all the elements to initiate the enrollmentprocess by illuminating the iris and acquiring an image.

A Remote Optical Unit provides voice message and lightindication to inform the user on recognition status.

An Identification Control Unit creates an iris code from theinput iris image and compares this code with “pre-memorized” irisrecords. If a match is found, this unit allows access.

A Door Interface Board checks and controls the releasing andlocking of a door that is being secured by the system.

The Super Server is an enrollment, monitoring and managementstation, said LG. These roles can be performed using a single PC,as well as via separate PCs.

Pricing information was not provided. Further information isavailable at www.lgusa.com.

Meanwhile, BioPay, LLC, based in Herndon, Va., announced “BioPay4.0,” a software program that uses fingerprint identification toeliminate check transaction fraud. The company claims it hascompiled the nations largest non-governmental electronicfingerprint database.

BioPay said the new software uses biometric technology tocapture a customers fingerprint, store a template of thefingerprint image, then record check cashing or check purchasingtransactions associated with that person.

“Refined alert mechanisms” warn of a potential bad check beforethe transaction is completed, the company asserted, enabling thetransaction to be declined before it is processed, “saving thecompany money it may otherwise have lost.”

According to the company, the softwares imaging functionalityenables business managers to store multiple “looks” and “views” ofchecks for extended periods of time, “offering historical data oncustomers transactions.”

In addition, “newly integrated fee processing and reportingmethods enable employees to spend less time compiling data andcompleting transactions,” the company said.

“There is an overwhelming demand by retailers and banks todeploy technology that eliminates fraud and reduced write-offs,”said Tim Robinson, president of BioPay. “Businesses want a comfortlevel before completing a transaction they want to know they aregoing to get their money.”

On first presenting a check, a customer gives the merchant orbank teller his or her drivers license or other ID, which isscanned into the BioPay database, the company explained. At thesame time, the customers two index fingers are scanned and anelectronic photo of the customer is taken.

“The entire process takes about two minutes, and all informationis stored within the BioPay system,” said BioPay. “A repeatcustomer need only use their fingerprint to complete futuretransactions.”

Pricing was not announced. Further information on the softwareand associated hardware is available at www.biopay.com.

In security hardware news, AuthenTec Inc., based in Melbourne,Fla., announced its new “EntrePad AES3500,” a fingerprint sensordesigned for use in the mobile PC, wireless and PDA markets.

“With a sensor array only 6.5mm x 6.5mm square, the EntrePad isby far the smallest touch-and-go biometric device available today,”said a company news release. “Its small size and low poweroperation meets the requirements for small, battery-operatedconsumer devices.” The sensor can be used with laptop computers,cell phones, personal digital assistants and other handheldelectronic devices, said AuthenTec.

According to AuthenTec, the EntrePad AES3500 allows fingerprintsto be read below the surface of the skin, “thereby eliminating anyacquisition or recognition failures relating to contamination suchas dirt, grime, dry skin or excessive moistureissues that areproblematic with surface imaging fingerprint sensors.”

The new device is compatible with a variety of operatingsystems, including Microsoft Windows 98, ME, NT version 4.0, 2000,XP and Symbian, the company said. Future plans call for Palm OS andWindows CE compatibility.

In a related development, Synaptics Inc. and AuthenTec Inc.announced an agreement whereby Synaptics will develop an integratedtouchpad/fingerprint module for its customers using AuthenTecstechnology.

According to San Jose, Calif.-based Synaptics, the module willcombine AuthenTecs “AES3500 EntrePad” fingerprint sensor with theSynaptics TouchPad on a single module with a universal serial busconnection. Synaptics will market the integrated module to originalequipment manufacturers of notebook computers and “other consumerapplications that require a robust and reliable security andinterface solution.”

Pricing for the products was not announced. Further informationis available at www.authentec.com andwww.synaptics.com.

Reproduced from National Underwriter Property &Casualty/Risk & Benefits Management Edition, December 3, 2001.Copyright 2001 by The National Underwriter Company in the serialpublication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as anindependent work may be held by the author.

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