NIST release SOFA draft, Gemalto providing IoT security
20 October, 2016
category: Biometrics, Corporate, Digital ID, Financial
NIST accepting comments on strength of authentication framework
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a proposed framework that can be used to quantify the security of authentication solutions and is looking for outside comments.
Strength of Function of Authenticators – or SOFA — is a proposed framework to evaluate and compare the strength of authentication solutions. Strength of Function of Authenticators for Biometrics – SOFA-B — is looking at the strength of function for biometric authentication. This was NIST’s initial focus due to increased availability of biometric sensors in the consumer space. The SOFA model incorporates three aspects:
- Matching performance
- Presentation attack detection — spoof detection
- Effort to break a system
NIST plans for the initial input period to run for 60 days, from Oct. 17 – Dec. 16. Comments will be accepted via GitHub or direct comments can be emailed to [email protected].
Gemalto providing security for IoT operating system
Gemalto is collaborating with Alibaba Group’s YunOS to provide connectivity and security for the operating system. YunOS is a cloud-based, data and services oriented Internet of Things operating system developed by Alibaba Group.
In this partnership, Gemalto provides its Allynis Trusted Service Hub that enables easy provisioning of security sensitive applications throughout the identity lifecycle management.
Security is a paramount component in IoT devices as it provides the peace of mind for customers, such as drivers of connected cars, and users of smart home appliances and mobile devices. This alliance extends YunOS’ vision of a uniform identity framework for disparate IoT applications.
Although the IoT market is still in its infancy, it is widely expected to gain tremendous traction in the next few years. According to Gartner, by 2020, there will be 20.8 billion IoT devices in use, generating a $3.49 trillion market. The YunOS had acquired 70 million smartphone users and over 100 million smart terminals by May.
HYPR secures $3 million in funding round
HYPR Corp. announced that it has secured $3 million in funding from RTP Ventures, Boldstart Ventures and Mesh Ventures. The new funding, coupled with a growing customer roster of enterprises, underscores that biometric security is a key area for growth.
HYPR will use the funding for:
- Strategic Expansion: In order to better support its Fortune 500 enterprise customers, HYPR will use the funds for expansion of its security engineering talent base and its dedicated office space in the Herald Square area of central Manhattan.
- Next-gen mobile banking: Biometric security empowers global financial leaders to broaden user adoption, shorten checkout times and bring an improved customer experience to mobile payments.
- Biometrics as a differentiator: In addition to providing an entirely next-gen user experience, biometric security brings a strong competitive differentiation and a powerful incentive to the mobile payments industry.