Lumidigm acquired by Assa Abloy
In order to complements its current offering within the rapidly growing biometric segment, Assa Abloy says it has acquired biometric firm Lumidigm. The company says the addition to its secure identity portfolio, will enable the business unit, HID Global, to incorporate multispectral imaging biometrics as part of multi-factor authentication solutions for government, banking and enterprise.
Datacard completes acquisition of Entrust
Datacard Group has announced it has successfully purchased Entrust. The closing of the deal comes after the passing of regulatory approval procedures. Entrust will continue to operate from its current facilities and work within the financial and government customer segment. Datacard says until now, its core competencies have been in issuance and personalization and Entrust’s core competencies have been to secure communications and digital identities. By bringing the two companies together they say they intend to help further unify identification-security technologies across digital, physical, mobile and cloud domains.
Infinenon’s eID increases internet security
The internet’s role in bringing us closer to public services has undoubtedly brought more convenience. However, with this convenience has come the need to beef up security, and it is here, according to Infineon, that eID card technology is playing a part. One recent example of such an eID implementation is in the Slovak Republic, which is using eID cards to store the personal and confidential data of its citizens. According to Infineon, 20 out of the 35 countries worldwide that have introduced eIDs with an online function are in Europe, and more than 70% of these European states use the company’s technology. The chip manufacturer says Europe’s leading role is also strongly promoted by the EU, which requires the implementation of an integrated domestic market and the harmonization of available online public services for all its citizens by 2015. In addition, the eID with online function can serve as proof of identification when opening a bank account, shopping online or taking out an insurance policy.
Vision-Box is awarded Latvian deal
Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has awarded Vision-Box a contract for automated biometric enrolment solutions. The 171 new integrated biometric enrolment stations will be installed at Latvian citizen registration facilities and embassies abroad. According to Vision-Box, the installation of the new stations by June 2015 will make it easier and quicker for citizens to obtain ID documents. The new units will be used to capture biometric data (face and fingerprint), as well as signature. The system complies with ICAO, NIST and other international standards for biometric data collection. Vision-Box says the enrolment solutions will also speed up processes, reduce waiting times, and contribute to a pleasant experience for citizens through intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, combined with quick proactive adjustments to each applicant, such as automatic height adjustment of the capture device.
DigitalPersona sensor utilized in China ID
A TouchChip TCS1 sensor from DigitalPersona is a silicon sensor being used in fingerprint readers certified by the Ministry of Public Security under general technical requirements for fingerprint capture device GA / T 1011-2012 for the China Resident Identity Card. DigitalPersona says Miaxis Biometrics and Shandong Synthesis Electronic Technology— both Chinese manufacturers — have leveraged DigitalPersona’s silicon sensor to meet the certification requirements while bringing speed and economy to the fingerprint capture process. Since January 2012, the new China Resident Identity Card Law has required citizens to have their fingerprints recorded when applying for, renewing or replacing their resident identity cards. China has more than a billion resident ID cards in circulation and that number is expected to grow. Citizens use their ID cards when voting, buying homes, accessing government services and other essential activities, states DigitalPersona.