Tampa, Florida biometric solutions provider Ceelox has released its latest authentication product that meets FFIEC guidelines. It allows enterprises to add strong biometric authentication to their existing online security measures. ▸

The Physical Access Council of the Smart Card Alliance after what it calls a successful first year, is ready for the second. It has announced two new projects–both involving FIPS 201–and new officers, including its new chair, Dwayne Pfeiffer, Northrop Grumman Corporation. ▸

Broader tests involves new round of first responders and security technologies

By Marisa Torrieri, Contributing Editor

The Office of the National Capital Region and the Department of Homeland Security will host at least three additional interoperability tests over the next five months, now that the first major test of smart-card interoperability for the nation’s first responder community panned out successfully. ▸

A new flash drive wristband allows medical personnel to have instant access, when plugged into a computer’s USB port, to your child’s medical history, including the child’s allergies, medications, blood type, doctor’s name, emergency information and more. The wristband can also be attached to a key chain or your child’s lunch box or backpack. ▸

Biometric solutions security provider Cross Match Technologies has acquired a company specializing in facial recognition applications, expanding the company’s biometric offerings. Facial recognition capabilities can be beneficial in high-traffic locations that require heightened security, such as airports, border checkpoints and prisons. ▸

A Philadelphia elementary Catholic school is using fingerprints to assure its students are in class. When students enter the classroom and place their fingers on a biometric reader, it eliminates the need to take roll. While helping protect a student’s identity, the system also eliminates the possibility of lost or stolen identification cards or students having to remember passwords or PINs. ▸

Combining e-payment technology with access control, some 250 employees at Petro-Canada, one of Canada’s largest oil and gas companies, are using LEGIC-supplied smart cards to gain access between the company’s six floors and also to buy food in the cafeteria. ▸