Passwords are the cockroaches of the authentication and identity world, annoying, dirty and ever present. But will they die? Passwords will remain a factor of authentication but the outdated modality will lessen as time goes on and as other systems emerge to better secure systems and devices.

BYOD challenges enterprises with two stark realties, first, they need to be readying their workforces to use mobile devices and they must make sure that they are able to provide a level of security for mobile devices that matches the level found on the desktop.

Facial recognition biometric technology is showing improvement in one-to-many searches, according to the latest tests from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Results from NIST’s 2013 test of facial recognition algorithms show that accuracy has improved for some up to 30% since 2010.

The American Civil Liberties Union submitted an “Ethical Framework for Facial Recognition” to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration wanting group to follow specific principles when using the technology.

Weekly new briefs on Samsung committing to biometric technology; DigitalPersona announcing that New Look, a China fashion retailer, has selected a Point-of-Sale (POS) system enabled with fingerprint technology; The FIDO Alliance announced that Visa Inc. has joined; INSIDE Secure announced the launch of AT90SC28880RCFV2, a dual interface, secure microcontroller; and Fortinet, a network security provider, has invested in Centrify,

Nuance announced that Banco Santander México deployed the voice biometrics solution to replace PINs, passwords, and security questions. Santander launched Nuance’s VocalPassword solution so that customers who call in to the bank’s phone system can simply speak to be authenticated, making the banking-by-phone process easier and more secure.

MorphoTrak partnered with Identity One to deliver a time & attendance and biometric access control system to a North American freight railroad company; HID Global and Proxama, created a solution enabling deployment of secure mobile web-based coupon and loyalty schemes; and Gemalto launched Sealys Color in Polycarbonate, a system that enables high-quality color photographs to be permanently embedded into polycarbonate documents such as IDs, driving licenses and passports.

CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS AMERICA announced the winners of the first SESAMES America awards. Winners were awarded in identity, card manufacturing and emerging payments.