TalkTalk integrates voice biometrics with customer support

UK telecommunications carrier TalkTalk announced it will integrate biometric voice recognition technology in its chat-based customer support on its website to authorize the identity of customers, according to a report by uSwitch.com.
The new voice biometrics solution is part of a larger initiative by TalkTalk to provide better online support.
Set to be live by the end of the year, the new voice recognition capabilities should save customers’ time while increasing overall security, said Alastair Douglas, group business assurance director at TalkTalk.
“A module for voice commands we’re introducing this year is voice biometric tagging, which is more secure than any password,” said Douglas. “The same company that does Siri has built an app that asks you to say a stock phrase such as ‘my voice is my password’, which it will use to verify you. It sounds futuristic, but this could be live by the end of the year.
“It’s great because you take out a chunk of the call. No one wants to be on the phone for any length of time and any sort of improvement in the time it takes to identify who you are and get you to the right person could dramatically cut that down.”
The new online framework has experienced an 85% customer satisfaction rate, said Douglas.

Source : Biometric News

ZKAccess brings Biometrics to your front door

Biometric and RFID security solution firm ZKAccessannounced it released its ML10 biometric fingerprint door lock, which features embedded fingerprint recognition technology.
Acting as a plug ‘n play replacement to the traditional ‘lock and key’ door knob, each ML10 door lock can store and recognize up to 40 users.
After an initial registration process where authorized individuals submit their fingerprints, users can simply touch the fingerprint sensor to open the door, eliminating the need for a key or code.
ML10 securely stores users’ registration data in the device itself, ensuring that they will never be required to re-enroll users, even in the event of a total power outage.
Additionally, home owners won’t have to change the locks when a previously authorized user is no longer permitted door access.
Intended for residential and small business applications, the ML10’s door handle, latch and strike are reversible for either left or right-handed preference.
The lock is powered by four AA alkaline batteries, and signals an audible warning when it’s time to replace the batteries.
In the event of a complete power loss, ML10 can be operated manually using a traditional metal key which is included.
“Users and installers alike will love how easy this biometric fingerprint door lock is to use,” said Larry Reed, CEO of ZKAccess. “We are very proud to add the ML10 to the ZKAccess product suite, which is diverse and spans traditional card access products alongside cutting-edge, yet affordable biometric security solutions.”
Source : Biometric Update

RCOA express concerns about Australian biometrics bill

The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), the national organization for refugees, asylum seekers and the organisations and individuals who work with them, has submitted its recommendations to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Bill 2015.
The move comes a few weeks after the bill’s introduction, which will effectively allow Australian authorities to collect biometric data from children as well as enable airport border control personnel to perform mobile fingerprint checks on individuals suspected of being foreign fighters with fake passports.
The RCOA’s recommendations detail its general concerns regarding the potential implications of the collection of biometric data for refugee and humanitarian entrants and several specific concerns regarding the bill under review.
The first recommendation is to amend the bill to introduce a “robust regulatory framework” for the collection and use of biometric data, including all related mechanisms for independent oversight.
The second recommendation is to establish regulations to ensure that biometric systems are subject to “rigorous and consistent testing” to ensure their accuracy.
The third recommendation is that the bill be amended to remove the minister’s power to bypass the safeguards relating to the collection of biometric data outlined in sections 258E and 258F of the Migration Act 1958.
The fourth and final recommendation is that all provisions relating to the collection of biometric data from minors and incapable persons be removed from the bill.
Source : Biometric Update

Windows 10 : Biometrics Over Passwords Will Boost Security – Official

Microsoft’s move to get rid of passwords and introduce biometric verification in its upcoming Windows 10 OS upgrade will greatly improve security along with the user experience, a senior official said.
Speaking at the annual RSA security conference in San Francisco, Scott Charney, corporate vice president, Trustworthy Computing at Microsoft said that the new feature, called Windows Hello, will ensure that people can maintain privacy, and avoid the confusion that multiple password authentication codes currently entail.
“Your machine will recognise you, allowing us to kill usernames and passwords,” he said.
Microsoft announced its Windows Hello feature in March, confirming that the system will support biometric authentication through face, iris, or fingerprint sensors. It will be a key component of Windows 10, which is expected to be unveiled in July.
“Windows Hello offers enterprise-grade security that will meet the requirements of organisations with some of the strictest requirements and regulations,” the company said.
“It’s a solution that government, defense, financial, health care and other related organisations will use to enhance their overall security.”
However, Charney also cautioned that measures such as these were not really a “panacea” for the growing cyber security threat landscape.
“The terrain is dangerous, but these measures help reduce attacks and make security more effective,” he said.
According to a study conducted by PwC, the total number of detected cyber attacks globally rose to 42.8 million last year, up 48 per cent compared to 2013, averaging at 117,339 per day.
The average reported financial loss from these attacks also increased by 34 per cent in 2014, with nearly all the companies surveyed reporting atleast one incident.
Cyber security is also becoming a major cause for concern in the Middle East, with the UAE alone seeing an increase in targeted attacks lat year, according to a recent report by Symantec.
The report found that cyber attacks against the UAE increased from less than one per cent of the global total in 2013 to almost five per cent in 2014.

Source : #gulfbusiness

FST Biometrics Tech Bolsters Brazilian Security Firm :

FST Biometrics has announced a strategic partnership with Groupo Haganá that will see its In Motion Identification (IMID) technology implemented by the Brazilian security firm. The partnership primarily involves the development and deployment of SIGAH Mobile and SIGAH Fixed solutions to better equip Haganá’s security infrastructure on an operating level.
São Paulo is the site of FST’s initial deployment through the new partnership, giving a biometric boost to Haganá security personnel working in Brazil’s most populated city. Rather than replacing the security staff, FST’s solution supplements the guard’s natural tools of memory and security experience with the accurate identification capabilities of an advanced biometric system.
Villi Braverman, ombudsman of Groupo Haganá, explains: “FST’s biometric identification solutions deliver vital tools to increase the level of security we provide to our customers, without slowing the speed of operations. FST technology helps us address the specific security requirements of our customers while adding tremendous value.”
Notably, the implementation of FST’s IMID technology improves security without sacrificing anything by way of customer convenience. Parking facility entry points equipped with SIGAH Mobile (modeled after FST’s new IMID Mobile solution) – for example –  allows for driver authentication without the subject having to leave her car. The driver authenticates on her phone, a notification is sent to the security person’s mobile device. The verification is seamless and eliminates slow down.
SIGAH Fixed – which features IMID Access technology – will similarly be deployed at pedestrian entry points. Operating with the same non-intrusive in motion identification technology that FST has seen deployed elsewhere in the Americas to great success, the physical access control solution strikes a balance between security and convenience so attractive that Groupo Haganá intends to deploy it at hundreds of other facilities throughout Brazil.
Arie Melamed Yekel, CMO of FST Biometrics, says, “The implementation of FST Biometrics’ newly-released IMID Mobile solution with Haganá Security demonstrates a key application of our secure access capabilities. Due to the adaption of IMID Access technology in a challenging security climate, Brazilians are more secure without having to sacrifice comfort.”
Balancing security and convenience is the topic of FindBiometrics’ upcoming webinar event. Be sure to register and become part of the Physical Access Month conversation.
Source : #mobileworld

TT Services executive shares insights about biometrics

TT Services’ announced that global projects coordinator Bill Sillery shared his insights into the current and future state of #biometrics in the latest April issue of New Zealand Security Magazine.
Sillery has significant experience in the #biometrics industry, having previously served as a senior advisor to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for its Temporary Residents Biometric Project.
Before that he was a solution architect for the UK visa #biometric enrollment system and National Identity Cards scheme, and was a member of the UK’s ISO SC37 working group on biometric standards.
Sillery explained that one of the main challenges facing governments is the actual collection of #biometrics, as they need to find a balance between cost, accessibility and security when establishing points of enrollment for visa applicants.
“In the short term,” said Sillery, “governments need to maximise their global footprint of application centers without increasing costs or decreasing security.”
Another challenge that will arise in the next five years is figuring out what to do about travelers who do not currently need a visa to travel.
“Historically, visa-free status has been awarded to visitors from ‘low threat’ countries, but with the rising threat of extremist travelers from such countries it is precisely these groups that governments are most eager to screen,” said Sillery.
Sillery also highlights the challenge of maintaining privacy and security of individual’s #biometric data. “As more countries with less robust data security regimes enforce biometric checks, and as the use of #biometrics becomes more prevalent and therefore desirable for criminals, the threat of biometric identity theft will without doubt increase,“ he said.
He also states that short term, biometric enrollment facilities will move towards “shared, purpose neutral, drop-in centers”, but later down the line, #biometric checks will move away from “facilities toward self-administered online enrollments and checks.”
Finally, Sillery discusses how government use of biometrics might broaden, predicting that “there will be opportunities for governments to adopt them, as they did with the Internet.”
Meanwhile, banks, credit card companies and smartphone manufacturers will help drive the increasing use of #biometric ATMs and identity validation for online credit card transactions using smartphones.
Source : Biometricupdate

India’s plan to track kids from birth using biometrics hits a roadblock

In a meeting last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on officials to ensure that all children below six years are enrolled in the Aadhaar biometric identification system as well as using its online system to track children from birth, according to a report by Business Standard
The initiative is designed to simultaneously provide each child with a biometric identification number and birth certificate.
The Aadhaar biometric identification system previously only applied to children aged six and above.
Senior government officials said the program’s intention is similar to the US providing children with a Social Security Number at the time of birth to help them open a bank account, attain medical coverage and apply for government services.
Follow Modi’s orders, the Planning Commission (which is now called Niti Aayog) met with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the National Population Registrar (NPR), and other ministries.
The ministries collectively decided to conduct a pilot project in advance of rolling out a comprehensive program for birth registration and capturing the biometric details of the approximately 20 million children born every year in India.
“The pilot project was launched on February 23 at Tigaon primary health centre in Faridabad because of its proximity to the capital,” said a high-ranking government official who asked to be anonymous.
The pilot ran into its share of difficulties, as mothers had to hold their newborns in an upright position for an extended period of time until the computer was able to capture an acceptable image.
Another issue was that the photographs lacked distinguishing facial features. “They (babies) all look the same, so their pictures made no sense,” said the official.
In a March 16 meeting with officials from the UIDAI, NPR, ministry of women and child development, ministry of health and the ministry of human resource development, Niti Aayog concluded that the current approach to providing a biometric identification number to children under the age of six was not a feasible one.
“On simplifying Aadhaar enrollment of children, it was suggested that the requirement of photo of the children serves little purpose and causes considerable hardship and should be dispensed with … UIDAI shall seriously explore the option of exempting child’s photograph and relaxing requirements of name for enrolling children below five years,” according to the meeting’s minutes.
The individual’s name and picture are required for biometric enrollment, however, most children in India are not given a name until days or even weeks after their birth. As such, the officials are considering linking the children’s birth registration number to their parents’ biometric details.
The Indian government is also looking to link the Civil Registration System (CRS), which includes details on the individual’s birth and death, with the NPR database, which includes all other details on the individual. The database would be accessible to all service departments.
“Recalling the directive of the Prime Minister to ensure full enrollment under Aadhaar and to use Aadhaar-based online system to track children from birth, it was suggested that CRS ought to capture all required details on children. Hence, the responsibility for enrollment in Aadhaar at the time of birth registration should lie in a single authority, which is the Registrar of Births, who should be suitably empowered to fulfill the role,” according to the minutes.

Source : #biometricupdate

Global Biometrics Market to Cross US$ 21 Billion by 2020 :

According to a recently conducted study by TechSci Research, "Global #Biometrics Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020", the global biometrics market is projected to register a CAGR of around 14% till 2020. The biometrics market is garnering attention from various governments for large scale implementation and review of ‪#‎biometric‬ management systems. The constant development in technology and launch of new products with greater efficiency, are resulting in increasing installation of #biometrics in commercial and government sector.
The study also highlights that the market is forecast to cross US$ 21 billion by 2020 where APAC markets are anticipated to overtake North America. The demand for #biometric systems is increasing at a much higher rate in countries like China, India, Japan & Indonesia when compared with US and Canada due to increasing focus on identity management and curbing security breaches.
The demand for Iris recognition systems has been recorded higher from developed countries such as US, Germany and Russia while the developing countries are still relying on Fingerprint technology. However, with the increasing deployment of #biometrics in critical application areas the developing countriesare also implementing advanced technologies such as Iris Recognition, Facial Recognition, Vein Scanner and others.
The study further highlights that Government sector has been the biggest revenue contributor to the sales of #biometrics devices globally in 2014 followed by Banking and Finance institutions. However, sale of #biometrics devices in Healthcare sector is forecast to witness highest growth till 2020 due to its varied usage of all types of technologies such as Hand / Palm recognition, Vein Scanner, Iris Scanner to manage medical records of patients and much more.
The government programs in multiple countries such as e-passport, National Identity Card, Youth ID Cards and #Biometric Driving License are set to attract colossal investments which would propel the demand for biometrics devices benefitting global players such as 3M Cogent, NEC, Morpho, Smartmatic, Suprema and others.
"Global #Biometrics Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020" has evaluated the future growth potential of biometrics market and provides statistics and information on market structure, trends and trade dynamics. The report is intended to provide fresh market outlook to take sound investment evaluations. Besides, the report also analyzes essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in global #biometrics market.

Source :  #prnewswire.com

South Africa’s Capitec, Standard banks reveal biometric plans

South Africa’s Capitec Bank has announced that it will partner with the country’s Department of Home Affairs on a combined #biometric database to combat identity fraud on the same day that another South African bank launched a biometric banking app. Capitec has said that a link with the DHA’s database will “make it much harder for criminals to commit fraud against Capitec Bank customers”. It has been capturing customers’ fingerprint details since it was established in 2001, with these stored in its own database for banking transactions. "By partnering with home affairs we are now making it virtually impossible for identity thieves to target our customers," said Carl Fischer, executive of marketing and corporate affairs at Capitec Bank. The bank was an early innovator in terms of using biometrics for customer’s mobile logins, launching a Touch ID compatible app last June. Meanwhile, Standard bank said on Thursday that it had launched South Africa’s first Biometric mobile banking solution for clients. According to Standard Bank, the feature is designed to make banking easier and safer for customers. “Our customers’ security is of the utmost importance to us,” says Standard Bank mobile banking head Magnus Taljaard. “The new biometric identification feature therefore underwent rigorous testing so that we could ensure a safe and robust solution for our customers. The ability to sign in using the fingerprint sensor is also combined with an additional security layer for certain transactions, for example when paying a new beneficiary.” ID theft in South Africa can result in a significant windfall for criminals who are unlikely to be caught. "[Identity theft] affects both the living and the deceased [in South Africa]”, Independent Identity Verification expert Dawid Jacobs told Fin24. “ID theft is the fastest growing crime in the world today. It is estimated to generate half a trillion US dollars. Javelin Research claims that every 79 seconds somebody has their identity stolen. ID theft leads to more serious crimes, including money laundering, human trafficking and terrorism." US banks began allowing Apple’s Touch ID for login late last year, while two UK banks unveiled similar apps in February. 

Source : #planetbiometrics
US Army seeking #biometric tech for Bulgaria :

The US Army’s Contracting Command Information Technology Center, has announced that it has a requirement for a contract to create a Mobile Automatic Biometrics Identification for Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense. The centre is seeking a response by 1 May on the contract, adding that the government plans to make an award to the contractor who submits the lowest priced, technically acceptable proposals. The anticipated award will be a Firm Fixed-Price Contract. However, the centre doesn’t give further details on its value. According to an army request published last November, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense has identified a requirement for a mobile biometric system to support its military police in NATO-led operations. “The identified Bulgarian Mobile Automatic Biometrics Identification System (B-MABIS) will enable collection, storage, search, sharing of fingerprints, iris and facial images along with latent prints and contextual data”, said the DoD last year. The DoD noted that the system will be implemented in three Bulgaria locations: Sofia, Plovdiv, and the Novo Selo Training Area. The system will need a multifunctional handheld device with installed software and licenses for biometrics data that includes fingerprints, iris, and face, among other requirements. 

Source : #Planetbiometrics

eSSL GPRS / WIFI Solutions

GPRS / WIFI Solutions 
To meet the demand of cross-boundary operation which needs centralized management (LAN / WAN with time & attendance recorders scattered, eSSL Security launches another time & attendance. The users can operate the system through browser without installing the software.
The system includes the personnel management, time & attendance management. The personnel management system can be divided into sector institutions, personnel files, personnel changes, quitting management, performance tracking, data center and other management modules.
The time & attendance management system is made up of time & attendance system settings, smart scheduling management, self-service statement management, data querying centre and so on. Self-query function means the employee can query his attendance state by logging on system through fingerprint validation
The solution can be applied in trade, retailing, logistics, education, manufacturing, insurance, financial industry, service industry, medical industry, warehousing & storage industry, hotel & catering industry, and so on. It can be also used in the enterprises whose staff ranging from 1 person to 5,000 persons.
The main functions:
The two powerful subsystems (personnel management, time & attendance management) can meet all the customers’ management needs in manpower cost and assist the customers in standardizing management system and eliminating loopholes in management.
10 years of experience in time & attendance system design, management and implementation has brought a sound and accurate time & attendance algorithm, which can fit all time & attendance management model and work out accurate results for customers to reduce the manpower waste.
The accurate and timely statement system is able to provide customers with powerful decision-making basis in manpower and own user-defined functions as well.
Self-query function means that the employee can query his attendance state by logging on system through fingerprint validation
System Advantages
Supporting WAN operation, making information management centralized
Powerful time & attendance disposing, suitable for all the domestic industries and complex time & attendance requirements
Able to achieve zero-scheduling
Supporting complex shift duty and scheduling
Supporting temporary scheduling
Simple interface and easy operation
Guided operating flow which makes the beginners operate more easily
The employee able to query his attendance state by logging on system through fingerprint validation
Source: ZKteco India