From the Calgary Herald
Those who offer services to the homeless face many identity management challenges.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
DEA clears biometrics for controlled drug e-Rx
From GovHealthIT.com
DEA currently bans the e-prescribing of controlled substances -- a restriction that covers some 10 percent of all prescriptions.That appears to be changing.
That prohibition compels physicians who e-prescribe to maintain a separate paper-and-fax system for controlled substances.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Indian Govt. plans to go biometric with census
From The Times of India
This will be an incredible challenge and I'm curious to see how this plays out.
To my knowledge, there isn't a single country that has a comprehensive biometric database of its adult population: not Lichtenstein; not the UAE -- both rich countries with small populations.
Can India pull it off?
There are 804,043,947* Indians aged 15 years or older.
There are a certain number of non-citizen "usual residents."
For reasons both technological and logistical, this is the identity management equivalent of the moon shot.
*CIA World Factbook:
This will be an incredible challenge and I'm curious to see how this plays out.
To my knowledge, there isn't a single country that has a comprehensive biometric database of its adult population: not Lichtenstein; not the UAE -- both rich countries with small populations.
Can India pull it off?
There are 804,043,947* Indians aged 15 years or older.
There are a certain number of non-citizen "usual residents."
For reasons both technological and logistical, this is the identity management equivalent of the moon shot.
*CIA World Factbook:
Population: 1,156,897,766 (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.5% (male 187,197,389/female 165,285,592)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 384,131,994/female 359,795,835)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 28,816,115/female 31,670,841) (2009 est.)
1,156,897,766 * (.643 + .052) = 804,043,947
Saturday, March 20, 2010
At Bronx clinic, the eyes are windows to medical records
From CNN (March 15, 2010).
This article touches upon many important factors related to biometrics and identity management: Privacy, Accuracy, Cost-Benefit, and selecting the proper biometric modality.
It also has a nice dose of human interest:
This article touches upon many important factors related to biometrics and identity management: Privacy, Accuracy, Cost-Benefit, and selecting the proper biometric modality.
It also has a nice dose of human interest:
"The acceptable error rate is zero, because we're talking about people's lives here. People can get hurt and die," said Evan Smith, Eye Controls' chief executive officer.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Prohibitive biometrics bill defeated in New Hampshire
From securityinfowatch.com
The New Hampshire state legislature has evidently determined that biometric applications are compatible with the state motto: Live Free or Die.
Good for Granite Staters.
The New Hampshire state legislature has evidently determined that biometric applications are compatible with the state motto: Live Free or Die.
Good for Granite Staters.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
L-1 for sale?
From SecurityDirectorNews.com
It would be difficult to overstate the importance of this development to the biometrics/identity management industry.
Is this a repudiation of L-1's entire strategy?
Is it driven by the more personal financial considerations of Mr. LaPenta?
Time will tell.
It would be difficult to overstate the importance of this development to the biometrics/identity management industry.
Is this a repudiation of L-1's entire strategy?
Is it driven by the more personal financial considerations of Mr. LaPenta?
Time will tell.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
ID Card for Workers Is at Center of Immigration Plan
From the Wall Street Journal
Putting a fingerprint biometric on the Social Security card and using it as the citizenship test for employment is the idea being floated by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.).
Are fake Social Security cards the fulcrum around which illegal immigration issues turn?
Putting a fingerprint biometric on the Social Security card and using it as the citizenship test for employment is the idea being floated by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.).
Are fake Social Security cards the fulcrum around which illegal immigration issues turn?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Biometric passports raise fears about what it will cost
From the Niagara Falls Review.
Cost should be considered not just in terms of how much the passport document itself costs to produce, but also in terms of the efficient operation of the customs service and the reduction in crime committed by those who would value false identification documents.
Which do you think costs more:
Cost should be considered not just in terms of how much the passport document itself costs to produce, but also in terms of the efficient operation of the customs service and the reduction in crime committed by those who would value false identification documents.
Which do you think costs more:
- (a) 100,000 biometric passports
- (b) one customs employee with training costs, a salary, benefits and a pension?
- (a) 11.5 million passports (approximately all of them).
- (b) Losses associated with less efficient international trade if the next 9/11-style terrorists enter the U.S. from Canada.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Scientist: Nose the future of biometrics
The headline overstates the case made in the article, but the article provides a very useful handle when grappling with the difference between the scientific and business communities where biometrics is concerned.
Essentially, any durable part of the human anatomy may be used as a biometric input provided the user can reliably and repeatedly present the same anatomical feature to a sensor.
Society, and ultimately the scientists interested in biometrics, will only be well served through the successful commercialization the biometric technologies that are already reliable.
Commercial innovation leading to the adoption of modern identity management techniques is something that can improve our lives in the short-to-medium term by lowering the societal cost of identity theft and/or mistaken identity.
Figuring out how to turn a nose into a number?
One day this guy's reign of terror will end, but not before face- and finger-based identity management tools are ubiquitous.
Essentially, any durable part of the human anatomy may be used as a biometric input provided the user can reliably and repeatedly present the same anatomical feature to a sensor.
Society, and ultimately the scientists interested in biometrics, will only be well served through the successful commercialization the biometric technologies that are already reliable.
Commercial innovation leading to the adoption of modern identity management techniques is something that can improve our lives in the short-to-medium term by lowering the societal cost of identity theft and/or mistaken identity.
Figuring out how to turn a nose into a number?
One day this guy's reign of terror will end, but not before face- and finger-based identity management tools are ubiquitous.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Frost & Sullivan Finds Vast Potential for Biometrics Industry in APAC
The article examines the biometric identity management industry in Asia. The analysis, however, applies across the developed world.
I suspect the developing nations aren't far behind, either.
I suspect the developing nations aren't far behind, either.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
State of the Art: What Face-Rec Can and Can't Do
Ecxellent discussion of current facial recognition system capabilities from Science Friday as heard on NPR.
To access the audio stream, click "Listen" at the top of the left-nav column.
To access the audio stream, click "Listen" at the top of the left-nav column.
Elvis Presley's Biometric Passport?
Dutch hackers expose security flaws at Schipol Airport (CNN).
The events are from September, 2008 but the story does a good job of identifying the problems that arise when government organizations can't or won't effectively share information.
The events are from September, 2008 but the story does a good job of identifying the problems that arise when government organizations can't or won't effectively share information.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
FBINAA Conference 2009
SecurLinx is exhibiting at the the 45th Annual FBINAA National Training Conference in beautiful Louisville, KY. The event runs from July 25th - 29th, 2009 and provides FBI training to up-and-coming police officers from around the country.
We've enjoyed talking to some of the nation's most caring and dedicated law enforcement officials about how we can help them to protect and serve their communities using biometric technologies like AmberVision and FaceTrac. If you're in the neighborhood, come see us at the conference.
The conference's exhibits will be open tomorrow, July 26, 2009 from
10 am to 3 pm.
Barry Hodge and Jim Connors at the FBINAA Conference, July25, 2009.
We've enjoyed talking to some of the nation's most caring and dedicated law enforcement officials about how we can help them to protect and serve their communities using biometric technologies like AmberVision and FaceTrac. If you're in the neighborhood, come see us at the conference.
The conference's exhibits will be open tomorrow, July 26, 2009 from
10 am to 3 pm.
Barry Hodge and Jim Connors at the FBINAA Conference, July25, 2009.
Friday, June 5, 2009
UPDATE: Positions Filled (thanks to all who responded).
SecurLinx is seeking applicants to fulfill part time Software Engineering positions to perform software development duties for MS Windows-based desktop and web products at its corporate headquarters in Morgantown, West Virginia.
We envision a transition to full-time employment as a distinct possibility.
The qualified applicant will be an innovative, self-directed individual who is able to not only revise existing code but also take written and verbal specifications to a finished product. The successful candidate will posses intermediate to advanced English speaking and reading skills, a good understanding of Visual Basic development techniques for both Windows and Web, familiarity with database development practice and theory and experience in iterative software development. The successful candidate will be provided desk space, a computer, and all required software tools to perform development tasks. Office space, task assignments, and technical management will be provided at the SecurLinx corporate headquarters in Morgantown West Virginia.
Candidates who have the required skills are encouraged to apply through hr(at)securlinx.com.
Required Skills:
• Visual Studio 2005 / Visual Basic or C# .Net Framework v2.0
• Both MS Web and Windows Application development experience
• ASP.Net with VB code behind
• RDBMS experience, ODBC / ADO / SQL Client DB development,
• Familiarity with SQL queries utilizing joins and foreign / primary keys
• Familiarity with DB Design, Stored Procedures, Triggers, Table Indexes
Preferred Experience in:
• Designing and developing SQL Server 2000/2005 DB entities
• Data migration and analysis toolsets (i.e. Red Gate SQL Compare)
• Object Oriented Programming
• Familiarity with UML and Use Case analysis
Desired Additional Experience:
• Visual Studio 2008 / .Net Framework v3.0/3.5
• Mobile device development including Windows CE and Blackberry Operating Systems
SecurLinx is seeking applicants to fulfill part time Software Engineering positions to perform software development duties for MS Windows-based desktop and web products at its corporate headquarters in Morgantown, West Virginia.
We envision a transition to full-time employment as a distinct possibility.
The qualified applicant will be an innovative, self-directed individual who is able to not only revise existing code but also take written and verbal specifications to a finished product. The successful candidate will posses intermediate to advanced English speaking and reading skills, a good understanding of Visual Basic development techniques for both Windows and Web, familiarity with database development practice and theory and experience in iterative software development. The successful candidate will be provided desk space, a computer, and all required software tools to perform development tasks. Office space, task assignments, and technical management will be provided at the SecurLinx corporate headquarters in Morgantown West Virginia.
Candidates who have the required skills are encouraged to apply through hr(at)securlinx.com.
Required Skills:
• Visual Studio 2005 / Visual Basic or C# .Net Framework v2.0
• Both MS Web and Windows Application development experience
• ASP.Net with VB code behind
• RDBMS experience, ODBC / ADO / SQL Client DB development,
• Familiarity with SQL queries utilizing joins and foreign / primary keys
• Familiarity with DB Design, Stored Procedures, Triggers, Table Indexes
Preferred Experience in:
• Designing and developing SQL Server 2000/2005 DB entities
• Data migration and analysis toolsets (i.e. Red Gate SQL Compare)
• Object Oriented Programming
• Familiarity with UML and Use Case analysis
Desired Additional Experience:
• Visual Studio 2008 / .Net Framework v3.0/3.5
• Mobile device development including Windows CE and Blackberry Operating Systems
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Is fragmentation here to stay?
Researching for the above poll, I came across an article by Dean Bubly predicting that the OS wars will play out much differently in the handset world than they did in the desktop era. The last poll choice is the title of his article.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
WVBI Newsletter
The West Virginia Biometrics Initiative publishes a weekly survey of biometrics-related news from around the world. At the link, click newsletter and download the WVBI's weekly PDF, if you're interested.
Introducing AmberVision.org
We would like to solicit feedback related to a new product we're introducing this spring.
AmberVision is an Amber Alert pre-enrollment service. It allows parents to store the information about their children that an Amber Alert co-ordinator requires before issuing an alert. Moreover police officers using the AmberVision software can use their cell phone cameras to send a photo of a child taken in the field and recieve a facial-recognition analysis as to whether or not that child is the missing child.
We are interested in what you think about this service. More information is available at the AmberVision.org web site (or click the logo below). Any feedback offered will be evaluated with an eye toward increasing the value AmberVision delivers to parents, guardians, students, educators and law enforcement professionals. We owe a debt of gratitude to many people for their continued support and encouragement.
AmberVision is an Amber Alert pre-enrollment service. It allows parents to store the information about their children that an Amber Alert co-ordinator requires before issuing an alert. Moreover police officers using the AmberVision software can use their cell phone cameras to send a photo of a child taken in the field and recieve a facial-recognition analysis as to whether or not that child is the missing child.
We are interested in what you think about this service. More information is available at the AmberVision.org web site (or click the logo below). Any feedback offered will be evaluated with an eye toward increasing the value AmberVision delivers to parents, guardians, students, educators and law enforcement professionals. We owe a debt of gratitude to many people for their continued support and encouragement.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Welcome to the SecurLinx Blog
It is our intent to use this forum to facilitate discussion related to biometrics and the biometrics industry.
SecurLinx is a company that offers patented solutions that store, process and share biometric template information specific to the challenges of law enforcement, gaming and the security industry.
Our products are based upon our patented middleware framework and have evolved out of our extensive experience in the biometrics field, our relationships with Biometric Service Providers and our work on behalf of the end users in law enforcement, the gaming industry and government security services. We consult closely with our clients in order to determine what type of system best meets critical business needs then we deliver the solution.
As such, we recognize that there is no "universal donor" in the biometrics world. Some solutions will utilize fingerprints. Some will utilize facial recognition. The needs of the user determine the appropriate biometric.
While we envision that this blog will offer SecurLinx another avenue to share our enthusiasm for all things biometric, we are committed to managing this site in the spirit of the honest broker in an exciting and fast-paced technological and commercial environment.
SecurLinx is a company that offers patented solutions that store, process and share biometric template information specific to the challenges of law enforcement, gaming and the security industry.
Our products are based upon our patented middleware framework and have evolved out of our extensive experience in the biometrics field, our relationships with Biometric Service Providers and our work on behalf of the end users in law enforcement, the gaming industry and government security services. We consult closely with our clients in order to determine what type of system best meets critical business needs then we deliver the solution.
As such, we recognize that there is no "universal donor" in the biometrics world. Some solutions will utilize fingerprints. Some will utilize facial recognition. The needs of the user determine the appropriate biometric.
While we envision that this blog will offer SecurLinx another avenue to share our enthusiasm for all things biometric, we are committed to managing this site in the spirit of the honest broker in an exciting and fast-paced technological and commercial environment.
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