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Biometrics: Coming to a Browser Near You! |
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A Microsoft and I/O
Software, Inc., of Riverside, CA announced their partnership on May 2.
Their intent is to foster widespread growth of biometrics through the
integration of biometric authentication technology in future versions of
Windows. Microsoft has acquired I/O Software’s Biometric API (BAPI)
technology to provide users with a higher level of network security based
on the secure and reliable personal identification method. The integration of
biometric authentication will enable users to log on to computers and
conduct secure e-commerce transactions using a combination of fingerprint,
iris pattern, or voice recognition, and a strong private key instead of a
password. As you may have read in
GSQ, biometrics is the science of verifying a person’s identity by
comparing physical characteristics of his or her body with stored data
such as a fingerprint or iris pattern. Biometric authentication devices
include fingerprint scanners, iris scanners, and voice verification
systems. The emerging technology is considered the likely successor to
not-so-secure passwords and PIN numbers as they relate to security. “We are fully
committed to supporting biometrics in Windows to provide our customers
with a security platform for the next generation of computing,” said Tod
Nielson, vice-president of the Platform Group at Microsoft. “Biometrics
will provide an alternative to passwords in Windows to provide our
customers with increased ease of use, a higher level of network security,
and lower overall management costs.” The partnership of
Microsoft and I/O Software is expected to be widely felt throughout many
industries. “This announcement
represents a major move forward for the widespread adoption and
utilization of biometrics at the desktop, enterprise, and general business
levels,” said Adam Backenroth, president of the FSTC (Financial Services
Technology Consortium) and a vice president at Chase Manhatten Bank.
“The Financial Services Industry, along with other industries and
government agencies, should benefit from this initiative.” For more information
about Microsoft (just in case you have been living in a cave), visit their
Web site at www.microsoft.com.
Information about I/O Software Inc., can be found at www.iosoftware.com
or by phoning (909) 222-7600. If you missed the May GSQ, and would like to receive a copy of our in-depth biometrics edition, please call (800) 757-4441 to request a copy.
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