Dec-05-09 Public Supports Biometric Technology in Passports and Drivers' Licenses, but is Concerned about Cost and Government Abuse; As States Tackle New ID Requirements, Government Transparency Critical

Most Americans support adding biometric identifiers to existing government-issued ID documents, including passports (79 percent)…

Sep-09-09 New NIST publications describe standards for identity credentials and authentication systems

NIST is responsible for developing specifications for PIV cards required for the government under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12. These smart cards have embedded chips that hold information and biometric data such as specific types of patterns in fingerprints called "minutiae" along with a unique identifying number. The goal is to develop methods that allow each worker to have a PIV card that works with PIV equipment at all government agencies and with all card-reader equipment regardless of the manufacturer.

Aug-25-09 Global Biometric Forecast to 2012 Biometric Market Expected To Grow 18%

The Global Biometrics market is witnessing swift acceptance and implementation in both public and private sectors as an accurate, reliable and cost-saving way to offer better and advanced security surveillance. Ever-increasing security concerns such as individual identity theft and corporate security to national security are driving the biometric market.

Aug-25-09 Biometric Online Consumer Protection Division Set Up by Biotraits to Guard Families and Children, Battle Identity Theft and Protect Home Computers from Predators

BioTraits Consumer Protection Division is developing workforce management products that will focus on preventing identity theft and protecting children from web-based predators.

Aug-24-09 Government of Canada to Prevent Immigration Fraud Through International Cooperation

Under the partnership, Canada will be able to securely and confidentially check fingerprints with those stored in Australian and U.K. databases. The initiative was developed under the Five Country Conference (FCC) - a forum for immigration and border security - between Canada, Australia, the U.K., the United States and New Zealand. The United States will be joining the initiative shortly, and New Zealand is considering legislation to join in the near future.

Jul-18-09 It’s All About the Cost

Biometric technologies also can assist in preventing fraud and abuse in government programs. Expanding health coverage to tens of millions of people is a daunting task. The prospect of duplicate enrollments and other attempts to game the system must be addressed, and biometrics offer a solution.

Jul-15-09 Frost & Sullivan: North American Government Biometrics Markets Thrive With Active R&D Thrust

The regulatory-driven activities and initiatives of the government have enabled the North American government biometrics market to become a high revenue generator. The U.S. mandated Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the border management control programs, the national ID programs, driver's license, and the physical access and logical access control programs for buildings have opened the doors of opportunity for biometric vendors.

Jul-13-09 Global Biometric Forecast to 2012

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Jul-01-09 Pact to bar High-Risk Travelers Formalized by United States and Spain

The US and Portugal sign Preventing and Combating Crime (PCC) Agreement allowing the exchange of biometric and biographic data to strengthen counterterrorism and law enforcement in both nations.

Jun-12-09 Volvo Technology Selected to Lead New York CVII Development Program

The goal of national Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII), which uses high speed, high capacity wireless technology, is to enhance highway user safety by allowing "smart" vehicles and highway infrastructure to communicate information to the driver. VII technology can provide a wide range of communications to the driver including safety warning of potential hazards and general traveler information…using embedded roadway sensors or other intelligent transportation systems.

May-17-09 Swiss Passport Vote Wins Majority

Swiss voters approved of the new electronic passport and a central fingerprint register.

Final results show supporters with 5,500 votes more than opponents – making this one of the closest results in recent Swiss history.

May-13-09 Biometric Technology Spans All Services

Earlier this year, a DoD-wide data call requested by LTG Stephen Boutelle, Army Chief Information Officer/G-6, asked military components to report on biometric technology systems being “used or planning to be used.” This information, collected by the DoD Biometrics Management Office, provides a general summary of emerging biometric technologies. Though the findings are still preliminary, they do outline general trends.

May-05-09 Identity Verification Study shows Lack of confidence in Passwords

The 2009 Salmat VeCommerce Identity Verification Study highlights consumers' fears that traditional PINs and passwords do not provide adequate protection of their personal information, with 67 per cent of consumers reporting that they believe their security details are at risk.

Just over half (51 per cent) felt that someone else may be able to accurately guess their password, PIN or security details for interactions over the phone, while 59 per cent said they believe someone else may actually know these details.

May-01-09 LAUNCH OF RISE: AN INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE PLATFORM DEVOTED TO ETHICS OF BIOMETRICS AND SECURITY TECHNOLOGY

RISE’s mission is to create an internationally recognized ethical framework to be used while planning and managing security policies, notably biometrics. Ethical implications of biometric identification technologies directly concern respect for body integrity and dignity, protection of weaker communities and their privacy rights.

Apr-08-09 Healthcare IT Continues to Grow, Despite Economy

Healthcare IT Depts Plan on Acquiring Biometric Technologies, Despite Economy, Survey Says

Other security technologies a third or more respondents said they plan to purchase include e-mail encryption; biometric technologies, intrusion prevention/detection service and data encryption. Currently, 62 percent use e-mail encryption, 18 percent use biometric technologies, 75 percent use intrusion prevention/detection service and 56 percent use data encryption.

Apr-01-09 Stimulus Package Includes New HIPAA Security Rules

The new legislation requires physicians who use an electronic health record, or EHR, to "have the ability to track every time (patient) information has been disclosed

Apr-01-09 TiVo and Innerscope Research(R) Identify Strong Correlation Between Emotional Engagement with TV Ads and Viewers' Fast-Forwarding Behavior

Conducted in late 2008, the study compared live biometric monitoring of emotional engagement with…

Apr-01-09 Healthcare Identity Management Is Necessary First Step to Electronic Health Record Interchange, Says Smart Card Alliance Healthcare Council

"Dependably accurate identification and authentication of patients seems like something that should already exist in healthcare, but studies show it is a major problem," said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance.

"With the $17 billion federal government investment planned for healthcare IT as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, we thought this was the right time to bring healthcare identity management to the forefront," said Vanderhoof. "If you look at the problem from inside the healthcare industry, identity management is an essential first step that is not well understood today. The lack of the proper identity management infrastructure will later undermine achieving the program's goals."

Apr-01-09 Bipartisan Amendment calls for an additional $550 million for Law Enforcement, Communications, Anti-Smuggling Efforts

Included in amendment is $20 million for CBP to modernize its database used to identify potential criminals at the ports of entry.

Mar-31-09 Biometrics Improve Apple Patents iPhone Security

In a hint of things to come, more patents submitted by Apple just a few months ago show advances in future security designs for iPhones and notebook computers. The new authentication methods include several biometric technologies that would verify the identity of a user without any additional input from the owner of the device…