Precise Biometrics has developed a new line of “smart cases” for brands of tablets and smart phones to be released in 2012 and 2013. The new smart cases have built-in card reader and fingerprint sensor enabling users to both secure their devices as well as replace various password-based security for protected online sites and applications.

The various problems Precise expects their new smart cases to solve include enabling government workers that need to scan smart cards in order to gain access to secured sites to access those sites from their mobile device. 

VeriTeQ announced it has acquired the VeriChip implantable microchip and related technologies and Health Link Web-based personal health record (PHR) from Positive ID. VeriChip is the FDA-cleared RFID implantable microchip for humans and patient identification.

VeriTeQ states it will focus on patient identification and PHR access through the VeriChip implantable microchip and Health Link Web-based PHR. The company is also looking at other implantable sensor applications and identification of medical devices within the body. VeriTeQ will also focus on identification and sensor applications for animals. 

IBM announced a new identity management system called Security Role and Policy Modeler. Based on IBM Research, the software analyzes employee data and recommends a set of roles to better secure an organization and manage compliance.

The analytics can flag abnormal behavior, inconsistencies in role access and expired user access. Bharti Airtel, a telecommunications provider in India, and Cognizant, an IT consulting and business process outsourcing in the U.S., are already using the software.

An employee’s unauthorized access to client information can leave a firm vulnerable to security breaches and audits. Many companies juggle the administration of identifying, managing and approving employee access, some of who have roles that require different levels of access to financial, personnel or sales and customer data, and can change during the course of a year. 

SmartMetric announced it has leased a manufacturing plant in Buenos Aires, Argentina where it plans to manufacture fingerprint activated smart cards. These cards are being developed with industries such as banking, medical insurance and government or other high-security identification industries in mind.

In addition to opening up the potential for quick deployment to South American countries as well as easy export to Europe, Asia Pacific, Central America and North America, the new plant marks a change in the company where it will be able to move from a business model centered around product research and development and move into product manufacturing.  

AVISIAN Publishing is pleased to announce the release of the interactive version of the winter 2011 issue of Regarding ID.

The interactive feature enables a miniature mode that you can thumb through as well as a full screen mode that allows you to read the magazine as if it were on the desk in front of you.

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Read the winter issue of re:ID online now.  

To commemorate the smart card industry’s achievements throughout 2011, the Smart Card Alliance has decided to release its first-ever E-Yearbook.

The nearly 70-page e-book discusses the year’s leadership and advancement in the smart card industry and highlights industry achievements. 

BIO-key International announced the results of tests performed on its biometric software and matching algorithm at a hospital over the past three months.

The results, which included 251,447 attempts to use biometrics for login to the testing system, ranked between 99.34% and 100% accuracy with zero false matches. This is a near 100% true accept rate and one staff member that logged in 5,999 in November without a single rejection.