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Voice security technology advanced
The acoustic parameters of the voice are affected by the shape of the vocal tract, and different people have different vocal tracts; new research will help improve the speed of speech authentication, without sacrificing accuracy
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Canadian government says it is committed to biometric passports
The Canadian government first introduced the idea of a biometric passport in its 2008 budget, but implementation was delayed by questions over logistics, and how to cover costs; the government now say it is determined to move forward
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Canada to use DHS's Secure Flight rules
Starting in December, passengers on Canadian airlines flying to, from, or even over the United States without ever landing there, will only be allowed to board the aircraft once the U.S. DHS has determined they are not terrorists
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New research raises questions about validity of forensic DNA comparison method
In the mid-1990s, law enforcement added mitochondrial DNA comparison as one more tool for identifying people; because there are so many mitochondria in each cell, readable copies of their genomes can often be found even when the nuclear genome has been damaged; mitochondrial DNA-matching is based on the assumption that it does not vary much in an individual; researchers now find that this is a questionable assumption
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DSC continues to innovate in security monitoring, Internet security communications, and wireless security products
DSC is a big player in electronic security, manufacturing control panels and IP alarm monitoring products; the Toronto-based company has manufacturing facilities in Canada and Italy, and its products are sold in 140 countries
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Samsung, GVI Security to in collaboration which will lead to one product line
Samsung, a manufacturer of video security products offering IP, thermal, and analog cameras, network and digital video recorders, establishes a strategic partnership with GVI Security, a provider of video security solutions to the homeland security, institutional, and commercial markets, to provide optimal security solutions to customers in North and Latin America
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New identity authentication method: nose biometrics
Unlike other facial features used for biometrics, such as eyes or ears, noses are difficult to conceal and also are not changed much by facial expression; researchers find that nose scanning showed good potential for use as a biometric, with a good recognition rate and a faster rate of image processing than whole face recognition
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Animetrics receives patents for face recognition
The company receives three patents for generation of 3D models from arbitrary numbers of uncalibrated photographs; generating databases from 3D models for use in biometric systems for training or for recognition; and face recognition systems based on normalization using 3D models
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U.S. buys iris scanners for prisons to prevent mistaken release of inmates
The U.S. government has allocated funds for prisons to purchase iris recognition scanning machines; the purpose is create fool-proof system which would prevent inmates from impersonating other inmates to gain early release
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U.K. national ID czar: plan on target
Sir Joseph Pilling, who is in charge of implementing the U.K. national biometric ID scheme, says in a report to Parliament: "A lot of work remains to be done and some tricky issues are not yet resolved"
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Land down underAussies to require citizens of yet-unnamed 10 countries to submit biometric info
The Australian government has launched a $69 million plan which will require citizens of ten countries -- not named yet -- to submit fingerprint and facial images to apply for electronic visas to enter Australia; Foreign Minister Stephen Smith: "there may well be a diplomatic effort required in respect of some of those countries as you would expect"
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Identical DNA a problem for Georgia police: Which identical twin committed the crime?
DNA found at the scene of a murder in Georgia pointed to a felon known to the police; when he was arrested, he insisted the crime was committed by his identical twin; the two twins share identical DNA -- but fingerprints, and cell phone records, pointed to the second brother, who confessed to the crime
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University of Missouri upgrades access control system to provide enhanced security, emergency management
The University of Missouri has upgraded access control and security software in its Residential Life Buildings complex -- twenty-four on-campus buildings where 6.700 students live; the security system -- Matrix System's Frontier -- offers many features which campuses and other public facitilites will find useful
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Biometric access control secures U.K. construction sites
Large, sprawling construction sites need to be secured; two U.K. companies join forces to offer an all-in-one biometric site access system for construction sites; the solution uses hand geometry or iris scanning technology to record access to a construction site
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U.K. universities chafe under burden of monitoring foreign students, academics
As of 31 March 2009, all U.K. universities have been required to monitor foreign students and academics; for instance, university staff must check international student attendance, and if a student fails to attend 10 "expected interactions" (seminars, lectures, tutor meetings, etc.), the professor is obliged to report them to the U.K. Border Agency; professor say this is too much
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An order has already been placed for the 4G PIV-TWIC Station Extreme, designed to meet the specialized needs of ports, military bases and airports. All of the products are being demonstrated this week concurrent with the ASIS International Conference in Anaheim, California and at the Biometrics Consortium Conference in Tampa, Florida
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Draper Laboratory, along with other companies, are working together to implement the program which will better detect irregular physiological and behavioral biometrics an individual being screened. The technology will focus on behaviors such as an individual’s heart rate, blink rate, and even fidgeting. This technology will allow officials, especialy at airports determine which individuals would be warrant a secondary screening.
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Biometrics technology, helpful in determing a person is who they say they are, is at the center of a debate in the New Zealand parliament. The government is planning to use biometric information to prevent identity fraud to prevent illegal border crossings. However, there is concern that this effort may extend beyond the realm of immigration control
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The Long View
TrendConsumer-driven face recognition changes public debate
New photo programs from Apple and Google include revolutionary face-spotting technology; trouble is, Google's Picasa would allow tagged photos from all its Picasa users to create a global database matching photos to e-mail addresses
TrendGingrich says biometric ID part of a solution to the Medicare problem
States ask Congress for $100 billion to help them cope with Medicare costs; Gingrich says that each state must include at least four elements in its plan to address the Medicare crisis before it will be entitled to federal funds; one of these elements are biometric IDs for Medicare recipients
TrendIndia to see a large, broad growth in expenditures on domestic security
A series of terrorist attacks, culminating in the coordinated attack in Mumbai last month, convinced both government and industry in India that more security -- much more security -- is required to cope with mounting threats to domestic peace; business opportunities abound for companies in IT security, biometric, surveillance, detection, situational awareness, and more
Not yet ready for prime time: RFID technology
RFID technology is incorporated into more and more documents (e-passports, enhanced driver's licenses); trouble is, the technology still suffers from privacy and security vulnerabilities
AnalysisEven in tough times, IT security should not be short changed
In tough economic times, IT managers -- as do other managers -- look for ways to cut costs and expenses; they should realize, though, that in tough economic times IT security may become even more important than during more normal times
Five myths about two-factor authentication
Too many organizations allow themselves to be vulnerable to cybercrime because of prevailing myths about the cost, inconvenience, and efficacy of two-factor authentication; close examination reveals these myths to be just that -- myths
U.S. secret service forms three new task forces
New task forces will deal with electronic crimes, and the agency says the partnerships will bring together law enforcement, academia, and private sector
