onClick Biometrics in touch

AOL could be getting in the game?

AOL is a consumer-centric business built on the needs of average home users. Of course they have different priorities than say a business has, but one thing is for sure whether the home user recognizes it or not - they need a good security system in place. And security across the whole scope of things - viruses, spyware, identity theft, hacking, etc. So AOL is meeting their needs slowly but surely by intensifying the technology.

They partnered with VeriSign to possibly create a 'safe chat room' where multi-factor authentication will determine if it really is a child logging on to specified chat rooms through a secure token. This is still in the early stages of creation, and AOL is very open to all types of authentication that a consumer may be adaptive too.

VeriSign and AOL explores 'safe chat room' idea.

They were there first.

The fall Biometrics Summit in New York has produced some very education conferences, including one where early adopters of the technology talked about their experiences.
And we're talking the Illinois DMV (implemented back in 1997), and the New York City Law Department (implemented 10 years ago!), among others.
Some good information can be had from these entities that you can't find elsewhere.

Biometrics early adopters reveal secrets, challenges.

Biometrics in the Mainstream - a good read.

If you get a chance, you should pick up the October issue of Access Control and Security Systems magazine. The feature article is called 'Biometrics in the Mainstream' and there are a few quotes from our CEO. Also included are thoughts from AuthenTec, BIO-key, LG, Fujitsu, Samsung, Identix, and much more.
Unfortunately I can't seem to find it on their website at www.securitysolutions.com, so you'll have to make due with a hand-copied intro...

Not so long ago, biometrics suppliers tended to provide uncustomized 'black boxes' with unchanging components. Now, more biometric suppliers are scrapping the myster box approach for a two-tier structure, with some companies providing specialized components and others devising complete systems from these targeted elements.

"You cannot be master of everything. Biometrics is a vast field. Taking theoretical science to tangible products requires the expertise of several different focused skill sets," says Wasif Khan, president/CEO of the Houston-based onClick Corp. "In order to bring to the marketplace scalable and reliable products that create value, companies must focus on what they know and do best. Biometrics is definitely a two-tier process, each company embedded within the other's strategy, creating success and value for each other."

Don't bother.

If this were true, I guess it would be pointless for us to exist.
At least - it may not be the whole answer, but it will help!
And then, isn't that a catch 22? In order to have security - you must be educated in it. If you don't bother to know how to protect yourself, there is no security!?

User Education is not the answer to security problems. Summary:
Internet scams cannot be thwarted by placing the burden on users to defend themselves at all times. Beleaguered users need protection, and the technology must change to provide this.

A cure for the disease?

Here's a long tale of identity mayhem if you're itching for something to read.

Everyone is fair game. Thieves recently snatched the identity of a three-week-old infant in Bothell, Wash. And authorities say that the dead have been favorite targets of identity thieves for years. Nor is identity theft limited to people. A growing number of thieves now assume the false guise of entire companies, adopting a business's employer identification number to secure commercial loans, corporate leases or expensive office products, according to analysts, security specialists and law enforcement officials.

Identity theft is epidemic. Can it be stopped?

Consumer biometrics getting notice

Consumer applications for biometrics are growing!

That better be true, or all the cell phones, flash drives, mice, and other peripherals with biometric capabilities they've been making for the past years (us included!) have all been for not.

Passports could be troublesome?

A not so promising follow up on the biometric enabled passports for the UK.

One in 10 Hi-tech passports fails

1.4 million Californians better beware!

This just in!

California residents - a whooping 1.4 million of them - are being advised to stay on alert for any suspicious activity that may occur with their identity.

Yes that's right, another computer hacking leading to possible identity theft. And this is a big one too. A computer at UC Berkeley contained all the names, addresses, telephone and social security numbers of In Home Supportive Services was hacked back in August. And the FBI just today has released an advisory.

The worst part is, all these people are part of this service because they are low-income elderly and disabled citizens. Just what they need, ya know...

California warns on massive ID theft.

Australia and New Zealand want to avoid 'creepy' concerns

Once again, privacy concerns float to the service. This time in Australia, following their efforts to begin biometric identification. The desire to control, standardize, and manage the use of the biometrics is very pronounced in order to avoid 'scope creep', or the chance that the information on a citizen can be used in other ways not originally intended when first capturing the information.

biometrics: privacy concerns over scope creep.

smart cards good, national ID cards bad

The former US presidential advisor Richard Clarke expressed his concern this week that smart cards are necessary for improving security but not so much national ID cards. Mainly because the general public can accept smart cards, and better handling of personal data is priority one. It appears as though he would like smart cards to replace existing driver's licenses, bank cards, and methods for accessing accounts with confidential information.

Clarke: Using technology to secure IDs is vital.