Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Government Catches Biometrics Bug

January 1, 2005
"TWIC will prevent terrorists and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to sensitive areas of the transportation system," said TSA’s Asa Hutchinson.
As government and military security executives seek better ways to identify good and bad people, they are embracing existing biometrics-based designs as well as investing in significant research and development. Such attention from Washington and the Pentagon will only accelerate the use of biometrics in the corporate and commercial sector.

One example: The Government Printing Office awarded $373,000 in contracts to four manufacturers to design a new generation U.S. passport. An embedded computer chip will store passport data as well as a digitized photograph of a traveler’s face, among other proposed biometrics-based data.

A second example: The Washington State Department of Corrections uses biometrics (IR Recognition Systems, Carmel, Ind.) to help track and supervise offenders in more than 70 kiosks located in field offices statewide, and at most community outstations.

And savvy and cash-stuffed Microsoft Corp. late last year introduced its own fingerprint reader for access into a laptop, desktop or network. And then there is IBM. Working with GE, Big Blue is developing biometrics-based systems including retina-scanning security at its Institute of Electronic Government in Washington, D.C.

Microsoft’s Fingerprint Reader: Replace passwords and switch users with just the touch of a

finger. PRNewsFoto

Biometrics ID for Transportation Workers

The Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now in its second month of testing a prototype ID card that renders itself useless to anyone but its official owner.

The Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) program began testing at the Port of Long Beach [Fla.] Container Terminal and will expand to 34 sites in six states during the seven-month testing period. The TWIC is a tamper-resistant credential that contains biometrics information about the holder. Each transportation facility will be able to verify the identity of a worker and prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing secure areas.

Washington State’s Department of Corrections uses biometrics to help track and supervise offenders.
In other government-related biometrics news, Rapidtron of Costa Mesa, Calif., has finger-scanning reader that works in concert with its smart card. This tandem use provides increased security by validating the user of the smart card through biometrics identification in less than one second of scanning. The smart card is read first and then the finger is scanned providing the speed necessary for rapid access and increased accuracy as the biometrics algorithm is based on a one to one match rather than thousands to one.

Fujitsu Microelectronics America of Sunnyvale, Calif., has capacitive-based fingerprint Sweep Sensor. With its Auto-Finger Detection circuit and on-board FIFO memory, the compact design optimizes power consumption and CPU efficiency, making it ideal for the next generation of mobile phones used by government and military personnel.

An IBM security specialist tests a retina-scanning security system at IBM’s Institute of Electronic Government in Washington, D.C. IBM and General Electric jointly developed software to help companies safeguard office complexes, industrial parks, buildings and employees. The software will provide companies with an end-to-end view of their entire security infrastructure - from badge readers and security cameras to computer systems and networks. (Feature Photo Service)
And the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority selected Bioscrypt of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, fingerprint readers throughout their facility restricting access for 155 personnel working within the building.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Columns
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Internal computer parts

Critical Software Vulnerabilities Rose 37% in 2024

Coding

AI Emerges as the Top Concern for Security Leaders

Half open laptop

“Luigi Was Right”: A Look at the Website Sharing Data on More Than 1,000 Executives

Person working on laptop

Governance in the Age of Citizen Developers and AI

patient at healthcare reception desk

Almost Half of Healthcare Breaches Involved Microsoft 365

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

June 24, 2025

Inside a Modern GSOC: How Anthropic Benchmarks Risk Detection Tools for Speed and Accuracy

For today's security teams, making informed decisions in the first moments of a crisis is critical.

August 27, 2025

Risk Mitigation as a Competitive Edge

In today’s volatile environment, a robust risk management strategy isn’t just a requirement—it’s a foundation for organizational resilience. From cyber threats to climate disruptions, the ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to disruption is becoming a hallmark of industry leaders.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Technological Innovations, Government Regulations Drive Biometrics in Border Control Applications

    See More
  • iris_enews

    Looking Ahead at Government Biometrics in 2014

    See More
  • Diverse Biometrics in Federal Government Use

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9780815378068.jpg.jpg

    Biometrics, Crime and Security

  • Photonic-Sensing.gif

    Photonic Sensing: Principles and Applications for Safety and Security Monitoring

  • Security of Information and Communication Networks

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing