- Email: [email protected]
Voice biometrics growth likely
NEWS NIST pointed out that a larger data set is needed in order to better understand face performance and to allow meaningful fusion experiments. Multiple Biometric Challenge Version 1 was released in April 2008 and results were reported at the MBGC 2nd Workshop in December 2008 (this is where Sagem’s results are drawn from). Version 2 was to have been released in January this year and the Multiple Biometric Evaluation (MBE) was scheduled to begin in summer 2009.
epassports
De La Rue scoops UK ePassport contract
reinforces De La Rue’s strong growth in the identity sector.” The next generation passport will allow safer international travel for all British citizens and will support the UK’s immigration system to protect borders. IPS issued two contracts earlier this year: UÊ Ì i ««V>Ì >` ÀiÌ E ® Vtract to replace the current passport application processing system which is about to come to the end of its life; and UÊ Ì i >Ì> iÌÀV `iÌÌÞ -iÀÛVi (NBIS) contract to provide a database to support the introduction of biometric passports and ID cards and replace existing biometric databases used by UKBA.
sv/research
T
he next generation of British passports will be delivered under a new ten-year £400 million contract awarded today to De La Rue. The news wil be a big blow to the incumbent passport printer 3M Security Printing Systems (SPSL), a division of 3M, which had already been producing biometric passports. The passport, which will be available from October 2010, will have a new design and improved security features including the capacity to hold fingerprint biometrics. It will give citizens added protection from identity theft and help secure borders against passport and identity fraud. The contract will ensure the British passport keeps pace with the most advanced international standards for travel documents. James Hall, Chief Executive of the Identity and Passport Service, said: “The British passport is recognised as one of the best in the world and we want to keep it that way. Today we are affirming our commitment to making this travel document more secure than ever by using fingerprint biometrics. Upgrading the British passport is essential to keep pace with the most advanced international standards for travel documents and will ensure that British citizens have the freedom to travel easily worldwide.” The procurement process for the contract started with 20 prospective bidders in June 2008, before De La Rue was awarded the £400 million contract to design and produce the next generation passport. James Hussey, CEO of De La Rue, said: “The Identity and Passport Service was looking for a partner it could rely on to deliver the complete service for the UK passport. As a British company, producing passports and identity documents for over 50 governments, De La Rue is proud to be selected to bring its expertise to this project. This contract further
June 2009
Voice biometrics growth likely
N
ew research into the voice biometrics market reveals that flat growth in 2008 could be about to improve significantly over the next five years. Opus Research’s new research report, Voice Biometrics 2009: Building on Expectations, claims that: “After years behind the curtain, a number of voice biometrics-based applications are moving from the pilot stage to full-scale deployments. Long-term growth will depend on how well solutions providers address issues of usability, affordability and integration with existing IVR and security infrastructure. Their track record is definitely improving.” As for market potential, Opus Research sees global spending on voice biometrics-based solutions (a category that goes far beyond customer care to include automated password reset, remote “time and attendance” reporting, voice signatures, mobile security and the like) reaching about US$124 million in 2009 and growing to approximately US$260 million in 2014 (16% compounded annual growth rate). The report had the following key findings: UÊ ÃÜ Ã>ià vÀ ÛVi LiÌÀVà VÌÕi` 2008– Global spending for licenses, professional services barely exceeded $100 million globally, including licensing, services and transaction processing; UÊ ÀiÛÃi` ÀiÛiÕi vÀiV>ÃÌ ÀiviVÌà «ViÌà v >`«tion – Past spending only partially reflects future potential as global adoption for confident phonebased authentication, mobile payment authorizaa tion and “voice signatures” accelerates;
APPLICATION NEWS s BIO-key International has announced that Minnesota counties in the USA are deploying BIO-key’s WEB-key biometric identification software as part of a new paperless criminal charging, or eCharging system. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which funded the new system, believes Minnesota is the first state to move to an entirely paperless criminal charging process. eCharging allows a criminal complaint to be processed in as little as 30 minutes, whereas the previous process could take up to a full day. The eCharging solution was developed by Minnesota-based Intertech, which incorporated BIO-key’s WEB-key into the document signing process to positively identify the user based on fingerprint biometrics. The new eCharging system will start in select St. Louis County jurisdictions, and then expand across the county into other parts of the state this summer. UÊ / i Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union in the USA is using a standalone Schlage biometric HandKey reader, supplied by Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, to provide its customers with self-service access to the safe deposit vault. The biometric hand geometry reader simultaneously analyzes more than 31,000 points and records more than 90 separate measurements of an individual’s hand, including length, width, thickness and surface area, to verify the person’s identification. A customer punches in a code on the hand reader, presents his hand to the unit and, once verified, the bulletproof glass door opens. At the same time, the individual’s safe deposit box opens and nobody can enter the vault until that customer puts away his deposit box. U Intellicheck Mobilisa has announced that another major US seaport has agreed to immediately begin pilot testing its new TWIC reader handheld device. The seaport is among North America’s top ten container ports and represents the company’s third pilot test program for the device, with the TWIC reader also currently being pilot tested at major seaports in Washington State and California. TWIC cards have become a mandatory requirement for access to all US ports as of 15 April 2009. The Intellicheck Mobilisa TWIC reader handheld device is used to validate TWIC credentials. The objective of the pilot test is to evaluate the TWIC card scanning system in a realworld security environment.
Biometric Technology Today
3
NEWS
PRODUCT NEWS UÊ v}iÀ«ÀÌ ÃiÃÀ ÜÌ Ìi}À>Ìi` à has been unveiled by UPEK. The company’s TouchLight technology integrates light emitting diodes (LEDs) for user prompting and feedback directly into the company’s fingerprint sensors. Using TouchLight technology, users get intuitive prompting and feedback, such as inviting the user to swipe their finger or indicating whether the user is authorized or not, directly from the fingerprint sensor itself. UÊ iÌÀV ÃiÃÀ V«>Þ] Validity Sensors, has announced that its fingerprint sensors have been integrated into General Dynamics Itronix’ GD8000 notebook. Validity’s ToughSwipe fingerprint sensors, based on the company’s LiveFlex technology, have been tested for IP54 and can withstand water splashing and dust. The fingerprint sensing area is made of durable plastic and is decoupled from the silicon drive chip. It is claimed that the separation of the sensing area and the silicon chip makes them more resilient, resulting in impact resistant, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) resistant and waterproof sensors. UÊ Datastrip has launched its next generation EasyReadd handheld biometric reader for the secure verification of travel documents. The EasyRead is a mobile biometric device offering a one-step inspection procedure for securely validating Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) and verifying document holders. It also provides features to support identity management for e-passports, as well as national ID cards, visas and other ID programs. The EasyRead reads and inspects first- and second-generation e-passports and other documents in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s 9303 standard and extended access control specifications. The device also reads bordercrossing credentials. UÊ i LiÌÀV ÛiÀvV>Ì ÃÞÃÌi vÀ defensive driving courses has been launched by National Point and Insurance Reduction Course. The Improv Aware Driver Course is a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles approved online program and allows New Yorkers to qualify for a mandatory 10% three-year insurance discount and receive a four point reduction on their driving record. The online course consists of 10 modules featuring a combination of YouTube style video clips that are supported by text and graphics covering a variety of driving subjects ranging from basic traffic laws to seat belt use. The course must be completed within 30 days of registration, but allows participants to log in and out as many times as they like to finish at their own pace.
4
Biometric Technology Today
UÊ Ã«i`} Ü iÝVii` 1-fÓÈä LÞ Óä£{ – For products and services that integrate voice biometric engines with IVR systems, risk management routines, customer-care contact centers and hosted services providers; UÊ v>V> ÃiÀÛVià >` }ÛiÀiÌ «Ãi` Ì grow– A number of pilot projects have gone live in the past month (Aviva and National Australia Bank, for instance – see below) and more are poised for launch at a moment’s notice, but there is no clear timetable or strategic imperative; UÊ vVÕà à à vÌ} Ì Ì i ÕÃiÀ iÝ«iÀiVi q / i need for fraud prevention is a given, but solution sales are predicated on the business benefits of shortening the time it takes to authenticate customers over the phone and delivering more services based on high confidence levels surrounding a caller’s identity; UÊ ÃÕÌà «ÀÛ`iÀà Ãii ÕÌ«i ÀiÛiÕi streams – While it is a forecaster’s nightmare, solutions providers project revenues from software licensing, system integration and fees which can be levied on a “per-user,” “pertransaction” or “per-stored voiceprint” basis; UÊ iÝ«iVÌ Ài ºV ÕÀ» >} ÌiV }Þ «ÀÛ`ers – The biometric engine is only part of a complete solution and the survival of specialists depends on cementing relationships with integrators, hosts and other solutions providers; UÊ >i Ü>Þ vÀ iÜ iÌÀ>Ìà q ÛiÀiÌ sponsored “speaker recognition” (as opposed to speech recognition) research projects are underway and can bring both authentication and identification solutions into the customer-facing product scheme; UÊ Ì i >ÀiÌ Ã ÃÌ vÀ>Õ} Ì ÜÌ ÀÃà q /À>Ã>Ì} promise to reality will remain a challenge until a champion emerges from the customer care, security or contact centre community.
speaker verification
Speaker verification finds its voice in Australia
I
n a flurry of announcements within the Australian financial service sector, biometric speaker verification has been announced as the key enabling technology at NAB Personal Banking and insurance group Aviva. NAB Personal Banking announced it has deployed the voice biometric identification and verification solution in order to deliver enhanced customer experience and security. The new service is designed to make the bank’s customers’ telephone banking experience sim-
pler, without the need to remember passwords and PINs. The new speech security function is now available to NAB’s 3.3 million personal banking customers, after the completion of a successful internal pilot involving 2,000 branch staff throughout May. Earlier this year, Telstra said it had sold VeConnect technology (provided by Ve Commerce) to the bank. The initiative saw the launch of a single telephone number (136 NAB) to cover all of the bank’s customer enquiries. This system now enables biometrics to be used in addition. NAB Personal Banking spokesman, Warren Shaw, said NAB was always looking for ways to improve customer experience and deliver the highest levels of security. “Our objective is to provide customers with a more convenient, faster and easy-to-use telephone banking experience while simultaneously improving identity security. With identity theft related fraud increasingly moving to the phone channel, the use of voice biometrics enables the effective identification, authentication and verification of customers, offering an extra layer of protection.” The new speech security service will ask customers calling NAB’s Customer Contact Centre to register a print of their voice pattern. Once enrolled, customers have an alternative to remembering passwords or PINs, as their voice will become their password. In a second separate announcement, Aviva said it will also use voice biometric technology from VeSecure to transform the way it interacts with its customers and advisors. Simply by using the unique characteristics of the member’s voice, the identity of callers to Aviva can be verified and the call routed to the most appropriate resource. Whilst enhancing the level of customer service and convenience, this process also provides an added layer of security and privacy to telephone enquiries and transactions. Frank Lombardo, Group Director Operations at Aviva said, “Voice biometrics is yet another way in which Aviva is improving the experience for both our customers and financial planners.” The sale and delivery of the VeSecure application was led by NEC, Aviva’s existing solution provider. Under the agreement, NEC will also provide first level support.
army
Biometrics help offer Iraqis a fresh start
B
iometrics are playing an imporr tant role in Iraq by helping certain
June 2009
epassports
De La Rue scoops UK ePassport contract
reinforces De La Rue’s strong growth in the identity sector.” The next generation passport will allow safer international travel for all British citizens and will support the UK’s immigration system to protect borders. IPS issued two contracts earlier this year: UÊ Ì i ««V>Ì >` ÀiÌ E ® Vtract to replace the current passport application processing system which is about to come to the end of its life; and UÊ Ì i >Ì> iÌÀV `iÌÌÞ -iÀÛVi (NBIS) contract to provide a database to support the introduction of biometric passports and ID cards and replace existing biometric databases used by UKBA.
sv/research
T
he next generation of British passports will be delivered under a new ten-year £400 million contract awarded today to De La Rue. The news wil be a big blow to the incumbent passport printer 3M Security Printing Systems (SPSL), a division of 3M, which had already been producing biometric passports. The passport, which will be available from October 2010, will have a new design and improved security features including the capacity to hold fingerprint biometrics. It will give citizens added protection from identity theft and help secure borders against passport and identity fraud. The contract will ensure the British passport keeps pace with the most advanced international standards for travel documents. James Hall, Chief Executive of the Identity and Passport Service, said: “The British passport is recognised as one of the best in the world and we want to keep it that way. Today we are affirming our commitment to making this travel document more secure than ever by using fingerprint biometrics. Upgrading the British passport is essential to keep pace with the most advanced international standards for travel documents and will ensure that British citizens have the freedom to travel easily worldwide.” The procurement process for the contract started with 20 prospective bidders in June 2008, before De La Rue was awarded the £400 million contract to design and produce the next generation passport. James Hussey, CEO of De La Rue, said: “The Identity and Passport Service was looking for a partner it could rely on to deliver the complete service for the UK passport. As a British company, producing passports and identity documents for over 50 governments, De La Rue is proud to be selected to bring its expertise to this project. This contract further
June 2009
Voice biometrics growth likely
N
ew research into the voice biometrics market reveals that flat growth in 2008 could be about to improve significantly over the next five years. Opus Research’s new research report, Voice Biometrics 2009: Building on Expectations, claims that: “After years behind the curtain, a number of voice biometrics-based applications are moving from the pilot stage to full-scale deployments. Long-term growth will depend on how well solutions providers address issues of usability, affordability and integration with existing IVR and security infrastructure. Their track record is definitely improving.” As for market potential, Opus Research sees global spending on voice biometrics-based solutions (a category that goes far beyond customer care to include automated password reset, remote “time and attendance” reporting, voice signatures, mobile security and the like) reaching about US$124 million in 2009 and growing to approximately US$260 million in 2014 (16% compounded annual growth rate). The report had the following key findings: UÊ ÃÜ Ã>ià vÀ ÛVi LiÌÀVà VÌÕi` 2008– Global spending for licenses, professional services barely exceeded $100 million globally, including licensing, services and transaction processing; UÊ ÀiÛÃi` ÀiÛiÕi vÀiV>ÃÌ ÀiviVÌà «ViÌà v >`«tion – Past spending only partially reflects future potential as global adoption for confident phonebased authentication, mobile payment authorizaa tion and “voice signatures” accelerates;
APPLICATION NEWS s BIO-key International has announced that Minnesota counties in the USA are deploying BIO-key’s WEB-key biometric identification software as part of a new paperless criminal charging, or eCharging system. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which funded the new system, believes Minnesota is the first state to move to an entirely paperless criminal charging process. eCharging allows a criminal complaint to be processed in as little as 30 minutes, whereas the previous process could take up to a full day. The eCharging solution was developed by Minnesota-based Intertech, which incorporated BIO-key’s WEB-key into the document signing process to positively identify the user based on fingerprint biometrics. The new eCharging system will start in select St. Louis County jurisdictions, and then expand across the county into other parts of the state this summer. UÊ / i Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union in the USA is using a standalone Schlage biometric HandKey reader, supplied by Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, to provide its customers with self-service access to the safe deposit vault. The biometric hand geometry reader simultaneously analyzes more than 31,000 points and records more than 90 separate measurements of an individual’s hand, including length, width, thickness and surface area, to verify the person’s identification. A customer punches in a code on the hand reader, presents his hand to the unit and, once verified, the bulletproof glass door opens. At the same time, the individual’s safe deposit box opens and nobody can enter the vault until that customer puts away his deposit box. U Intellicheck Mobilisa has announced that another major US seaport has agreed to immediately begin pilot testing its new TWIC reader handheld device. The seaport is among North America’s top ten container ports and represents the company’s third pilot test program for the device, with the TWIC reader also currently being pilot tested at major seaports in Washington State and California. TWIC cards have become a mandatory requirement for access to all US ports as of 15 April 2009. The Intellicheck Mobilisa TWIC reader handheld device is used to validate TWIC credentials. The objective of the pilot test is to evaluate the TWIC card scanning system in a realworld security environment.
Biometric Technology Today
3
NEWS
PRODUCT NEWS UÊ v}iÀ«ÀÌ ÃiÃÀ ÜÌ Ìi}À>Ìi` à has been unveiled by UPEK. The company’s TouchLight technology integrates light emitting diodes (LEDs) for user prompting and feedback directly into the company’s fingerprint sensors. Using TouchLight technology, users get intuitive prompting and feedback, such as inviting the user to swipe their finger or indicating whether the user is authorized or not, directly from the fingerprint sensor itself. UÊ iÌÀV ÃiÃÀ V«>Þ] Validity Sensors, has announced that its fingerprint sensors have been integrated into General Dynamics Itronix’ GD8000 notebook. Validity’s ToughSwipe fingerprint sensors, based on the company’s LiveFlex technology, have been tested for IP54 and can withstand water splashing and dust. The fingerprint sensing area is made of durable plastic and is decoupled from the silicon drive chip. It is claimed that the separation of the sensing area and the silicon chip makes them more resilient, resulting in impact resistant, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) resistant and waterproof sensors. UÊ Datastrip has launched its next generation EasyReadd handheld biometric reader for the secure verification of travel documents. The EasyRead is a mobile biometric device offering a one-step inspection procedure for securely validating Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) and verifying document holders. It also provides features to support identity management for e-passports, as well as national ID cards, visas and other ID programs. The EasyRead reads and inspects first- and second-generation e-passports and other documents in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s 9303 standard and extended access control specifications. The device also reads bordercrossing credentials. UÊ i LiÌÀV ÛiÀvV>Ì ÃÞÃÌi vÀ defensive driving courses has been launched by National Point and Insurance Reduction Course. The Improv Aware Driver Course is a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles approved online program and allows New Yorkers to qualify for a mandatory 10% three-year insurance discount and receive a four point reduction on their driving record. The online course consists of 10 modules featuring a combination of YouTube style video clips that are supported by text and graphics covering a variety of driving subjects ranging from basic traffic laws to seat belt use. The course must be completed within 30 days of registration, but allows participants to log in and out as many times as they like to finish at their own pace.
4
Biometric Technology Today
UÊ Ã«i`} Ü iÝVii` 1-fÓÈä LÞ Óä£{ – For products and services that integrate voice biometric engines with IVR systems, risk management routines, customer-care contact centers and hosted services providers; UÊ v>V> ÃiÀÛVià >` }ÛiÀiÌ «Ãi` Ì grow– A number of pilot projects have gone live in the past month (Aviva and National Australia Bank, for instance – see below) and more are poised for launch at a moment’s notice, but there is no clear timetable or strategic imperative; UÊ vVÕà à à vÌ} Ì Ì i ÕÃiÀ iÝ«iÀiVi q / i need for fraud prevention is a given, but solution sales are predicated on the business benefits of shortening the time it takes to authenticate customers over the phone and delivering more services based on high confidence levels surrounding a caller’s identity; UÊ ÃÕÌà «ÀÛ`iÀà Ãii ÕÌ«i ÀiÛiÕi streams – While it is a forecaster’s nightmare, solutions providers project revenues from software licensing, system integration and fees which can be levied on a “per-user,” “pertransaction” or “per-stored voiceprint” basis; UÊ iÝ«iVÌ Ài ºV ÕÀ» >} ÌiV }Þ «ÀÛ`ers – The biometric engine is only part of a complete solution and the survival of specialists depends on cementing relationships with integrators, hosts and other solutions providers; UÊ >i Ü>Þ vÀ iÜ iÌÀ>Ìà q ÛiÀiÌ sponsored “speaker recognition” (as opposed to speech recognition) research projects are underway and can bring both authentication and identification solutions into the customer-facing product scheme; UÊ Ì i >ÀiÌ Ã ÃÌ vÀ>Õ} Ì ÜÌ ÀÃà q /À>Ã>Ì} promise to reality will remain a challenge until a champion emerges from the customer care, security or contact centre community.
speaker verification
Speaker verification finds its voice in Australia
I
n a flurry of announcements within the Australian financial service sector, biometric speaker verification has been announced as the key enabling technology at NAB Personal Banking and insurance group Aviva. NAB Personal Banking announced it has deployed the voice biometric identification and verification solution in order to deliver enhanced customer experience and security. The new service is designed to make the bank’s customers’ telephone banking experience sim-
pler, without the need to remember passwords and PINs. The new speech security function is now available to NAB’s 3.3 million personal banking customers, after the completion of a successful internal pilot involving 2,000 branch staff throughout May. Earlier this year, Telstra said it had sold VeConnect technology (provided by Ve Commerce) to the bank. The initiative saw the launch of a single telephone number (136 NAB) to cover all of the bank’s customer enquiries. This system now enables biometrics to be used in addition. NAB Personal Banking spokesman, Warren Shaw, said NAB was always looking for ways to improve customer experience and deliver the highest levels of security. “Our objective is to provide customers with a more convenient, faster and easy-to-use telephone banking experience while simultaneously improving identity security. With identity theft related fraud increasingly moving to the phone channel, the use of voice biometrics enables the effective identification, authentication and verification of customers, offering an extra layer of protection.” The new speech security service will ask customers calling NAB’s Customer Contact Centre to register a print of their voice pattern. Once enrolled, customers have an alternative to remembering passwords or PINs, as their voice will become their password. In a second separate announcement, Aviva said it will also use voice biometric technology from VeSecure to transform the way it interacts with its customers and advisors. Simply by using the unique characteristics of the member’s voice, the identity of callers to Aviva can be verified and the call routed to the most appropriate resource. Whilst enhancing the level of customer service and convenience, this process also provides an added layer of security and privacy to telephone enquiries and transactions. Frank Lombardo, Group Director Operations at Aviva said, “Voice biometrics is yet another way in which Aviva is improving the experience for both our customers and financial planners.” The sale and delivery of the VeSecure application was led by NEC, Aviva’s existing solution provider. Under the agreement, NEC will also provide first level support.
army
Biometrics help offer Iraqis a fresh start
B
iometrics are playing an imporr tant role in Iraq by helping certain
June 2009