In the movie District 9, an alien race utilizes weaponry that samples the users DNA and will only operate when used by specified species. While fantastic, similar technology is entirely possible due to advances in biometrics, according to a Discover Magazine article. Looking at other common technologies that have incorporated biometrics for security purposes lends […]

The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) has ordered that all cattle must be tagged with CCIA-approved RFID tags as of January 1, 2010. Consequently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will strike bar code tags from the approved animal tag list. Since September 1, 2006, RFID tags have been the only CCIA-approved means of tracking […]

Recycling can provide a selling point for cards, but reclaimed plastic often comes in less-than-pure shades of white that can drive away card-industry decision makers. “The biggest concern among card manufacturers is being able to offer a consistent color,” says T.R. Mitchell, vice president of New Wave Plastics, a Medina, Ohio-based recycler. To overcome the […]

By Zack Martin, Editor, Avisian Publications The U.S. Department of Defense has been a leader when it comes to smart cards with its Common Access Card, but the agency is also forward thinking when it comes to biometrics. The Defense Department is using biometrics in a variety of ways, including overseas for access to bases, […]

Alien Technology has announced that its new Higgs-3 RFID IC’s will now come equipped with an extra security feature called “Dynamic Authentification.” According to Alien, Dynamic Authentication incorporates a challenge/response algorithm which defeats static cloning attempts of the Higgs-3 IC. This feature initiates an interaction between the reader and the tag whereby the tag’s signature […]

FleetMind Solutions has developed a new Web-based solution for Waste and Recycling companies that automates garbage collection using RFID technology. Similar to the system in place in Australia, FleetMind’s solution requires each garbage bin to be outfitted with an RFID tag that corresponds to the customer’s address. Waste workers can quickly verify cart details by […]

Credit card giant Visa, two banks and a mobile operator have launched a small NFC payments trial in Brazil. The pilot involves 70 people who have been given NFC-compliant Nokia phones that they can use to make payments at any retailer that now accepts Visa’s payWave contactless payments technology. The banks involved in the trial […]