The Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection agency is exploring how to fit the Transportation Worker ID card (TWIC) standards into the requirements it is developing for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative’s (WHTI) People Access Security Service (PASS) card. TWIC relies on smart card technology (ISO 14443 standard) while the DHS is looking […]

The White House has released an updated National Strategy for Homeland Security document but does it say anything new? Prepared by the Homeland Security Council advisory group, the report outlines preparedness and prevention efforts, including border security, surveillance, biometrics and information-sharing. It covers ID cards, cargo identification and tracking, passenger screening and cyber-security threat detection […]

The Department of Defense’s Biometrics Task Force (BTF) has outgrown its mission and organizational home to the point that it has become its own ongoing entity known as the Biometrics Defense Agency (BDA) which will cover use of the technology in all aspects of military operations. The BDA will mandate the scope and direction of […]

Afraid of biometrics because you think they are unsanitary and germs are being spread? Purdue University’s Biometric Standards, Performance and Assurance Laboratory has conducted a study to determine how much bacteria live on biometric devices after use. The researchers found that while the glass surfaces of fingerprint or hand geometry scanners may contain prints or […]

Imprivata®, Inc. announced that The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) implemented OneSign™ Single Sign-On (SSO) throughout its headquarters to address password management issues such as user convenience, help desk costs, and enterprise security across multiple departments. The software’s access management capabilities enable organizations to record and control who […]

Human Recognition Systems (HRS) and Vidient Systems have announced their partnership to provide intelligent video analytics and smart CCTV solutions across multiple business sectors in the UK such as aviation, government and banking. Vidient SmartCatch® technology is in use in several sites, including San Francisco International, Finavia-Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and Tallahassee (Florida) Regional Airport. Smart surveillance […]

IICS has unveiled its Certgate smart card which fits directly into microSD slots. The Certgate can be used in standard SD/MMC slots via commonly available adapters, and is compatible with card readers attached to devices via USB. The card provides security via two-factor authentication and supports Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Supporting Windows CE- and Mobile-based […]

In anticipation of the upcoming 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, Soweta, South Africa has begun issuing smartcards for bus fares. The pilot program is intended to grow into an integrated, nationwide public transport system involving trains, buses and taxis. The smartcard system was devised by Questek Transit Technologies. It was installed on 350 buses and […]

Qatar has begun phasing in electronic smart cards to nationals to replace conventional ID cards. Expatriates will be receiving the cards starting next year. The cards have biometric data of the holder, including finger prints and special photographs of the person’s face and eyes. Services that can be accessed with the smart cards include access […]

Eid Passport® is implementing its RAPIDGate® Program at U.S. Army installations in Hawaii to improve physical security and gate efficiency. The voluntary program helps streamline access control procedures for authorized vendors, suppliers, contractors, subcontractors, and service providers who routinely access the installations. The RAPIDGate Program provides an identity badge and multiple layers of physical security […]