6 April 2021

suprema

Suprema CoreStation offers multi-credential flexibility

Suprema shared partner testimonials about its security controller CoreStation that helps facilitate building multi-credential access control systems. Suprema CoreStation is a biometric-enabled security controller that provides great system design flexibility with credential options ranging from PIN, RF card reader, mobile access to fingerprint and face recognition. Meyer, a partner in Turkey, was able to construct a face recognition access control system for its customer using Suprema CoreStation and Suprema face recognition terminals. “CoreStation offers unrivaled matching speed. The customer preferred to connect the face recognition terminals to CoreStation instead of directly to the server for stronger security. This meant that all user data was saved in CoreStation and data had to be transferred to CoreStation for every matching operation. Despite this configuration, users do not notice any delay in authentication thanks to CoreStation’s powerful performance,” said Orcun Bayindir, CEO of Meyer. IQ trading, a partner in Ukraine, enabled fingerprint recognition access control system for a banking customer. Andrii Glukhov, technical support lead at IQ trading, cited CoreStation’s scalability, enterprise level memory and interlock zone support as advantages. “Using Suprema CoreStation, we connected 26 two-sided doors with high performance fingerprint authentication. CoreStation is a unique, powerful controller that can store up to 500,000 users, 1,000,000 fingerprint templates and 5,000,000 logs, providing uninterrupted service regardless of network issues. We were also able to create sequential passages with interlock zones, increasing overall security level and eliminating the possibility of a person entering the second door without closing the first one,” said Glukhov. Absolon, a partner in Europe, provided mobile access solution to Crestyl, a leading real estate developer in Czech, using CoreStation. The site had over 100 doors with 1,500 employees and required a secure yet flexible controller that could be easily integrated with third party systems. Crestyl was operating a third party system C4 software and was looking for a way to add mobile credential without a major system overhaul. CoreStation, together with Suprema BioStar 2 and Suprema XPass D2 readers, was a great answer because of CoreStation and BioStar 2’s integration flexibility. C4 was integrated with BioStar 2 via BioStar 2 API and XPass D2 were selected for mobile credential compatibility. “CoreStation’s appeal lies in the gamut of credential options it supports. Partners and customers can enable PIN, RF card, mobile access as well as biometric credentials like face and fingerprint with Suprema’s intelligent controller,” said Hanchul Kim, CEO of Suprema Inc.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com

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Biometrics: Where we are and where we’re going

Christian Fredrikson, CEO at Fingerprints explores how Biometrics is playing a leading role in access control, and discusses the benefits of fingerprint technology It’s heartening to see biometric technology playing a role in helping people, communities and workplaces adapt to the changes triggered by the past year. The value of biometrics is reaching far beyond mobile and is set to become even more prominent in new areas. Most notably biometric payment cards are providing a route map to safer, more hygienic in-store payments, while smart homes and workplaces are becoming more secure and user friendly with biometric access control. Let’s take a look at where we are now, and where we’re headed next.  Maturing mobile market  After over a decade of integrations, mobile is the most mature and established market for consumer biometrics, with some 80% of smartphones shipped today now incorporating some form of biometric sensor. Biometrics is now consumers’ preferred method to authenticate on mobile. Recently we celebrated that our own sensors have been integrated in 500 mobile device models globally, in nine out of the top ten smartphone OEM brands. But this is by no means a static market. Mobile continues to grow, with 1.4 billion fingerprint sensors for smartphones projected to be shipped annually by 2026.  Crucially, this growth is driven by innovation. For manufacturers, ongoing R&D refinements to the biometric sensors themselves are enabling biometrics to support broader smartphone product development and innovation like foldable, full screen and 5G handsets. New fingerprint sensor shapes, for example, are important evolutions supporting OEMs as they push hard to differentiate their products.  Unlocking the device with the touch of a finger is now complemented with multiple new uses, such as operating the camera; volume and power control; and scrolling. Not to mention logical access to applications and payment authorisations. The latter in particular is proving popular, with Goode Intelligence predicting that over $1.67 trillion-worth of biometric payments will be made annually by 2023. The payments world is taking note too, with industry body EMVCo defining new security requirements for consumer device biometric authentication for payments. This recognition by payments industry heavyweights is a strong testament to the now central role of biometrics in this space, and we were delighted to start the year with news that our FPC1541 was first to achieve approval from EMVCo in line with new CDCVM Security Requirements.  Biometrics payments Biometric payment cards are no longer “on the horizon” – they’re actually here, with major commercial rollouts from French banks BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole underway.  Momentum has been gathering steadily for a few years, but it has undoubtedly gained additional traction as a truly touchless, hygienic and secure way to pay amid the ongoing worldwide public health measures. Our research indicates that a third of consumers now worry about infection from PIN-pads when paying in-store. To put that in context, this is now the same level of concern as  handling cash. Traditional contactless is one answer, but an imperfect one. PIN authentication is required as soon as the regional contactless cap, which on average sits at around €50, is exceeded as well as on every fifth payment in Europe. Biometric payment cards provide a more reliable solution, enabling banks to safely remove the contactless caps so consumers can enjoy truly secure contactless payments, no matter the value.  Unsurprisingly, the tech is well-received by consumers, with new research suggesting that over half would actively change banks to get a biometric payment card. This is especially significant considering how hesitant consumers tend to be when it comes to switching banking providers or embracing new technology. It’s not just banks and consumers who benefit either – retailers, for example, are also seeing how the tech can enhance the checkout or POS experience, removing friction while increasing security and consumer confidence, without requiring any update to existing infrastructure. As we move through increasing commercial rollouts, it is exciting to see this technology in the hands of more and more consumers.  Innovation ahead  Call it the Swedish entrepreneurial mindset, but we’re always looking to innovate and identify new opportunities for refining and applying our technology. One of the most exciting new areas we’re seeing is the expanding potential for biometric access applications, most notably in smart home and smart workplaces.  While boosting workplace and remote working security has been a long-standing priority for many organisations, the last year has certainly increased the desire for more secure and convenient access – both physical and logical. Biometric access cards, with authentication on the card, are one example that improves security, convenience and hygiene for entry to shared workspaces. Touchless biometrics authentication – using face, iris or a combination of the two – is another convenient means to secure entry to buildings and busy, hygiene-conscious environments such as hospitals.  Meanwhile, biometric authentication is in increased demand as a more convenient and secure authentication method for both consumer and enterprise PCs. Our research has found that most consumers (66%) are tired of PINs and passwords, and 51% would prefer using biometrics to authenticate themselves. Solutions such as fingerprint-enabled PCs and USB dongles can offer a pain-free means for IT departments to secure access to VPNs and confidential files, without simply creating yet more clumsy and insecure PINs and passcodes. By 2026, approximately two-thirds of the 260 million PCs shipped yearly are estimated to have a fingerprint touch sensor.  Personalisation is also on the agenda. For example, colleagues could access their own individual settings on a shared work computer or, at home, profiles on a gaming console can be configured. Biometric sensors, familiar and trusted from smartphones, are ready-made to step into new elements of our daily life – from our front door to our personal or work PC. The possibilities are limitless – this market is one to watch.  It’s an exciting time for biometrics, as the value of the convenience and security it offers across multiple – and expanding – applications come to the forefront. Crucially, in recent circumstances, it’s

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Vemotion report a surge in streaming video surveillance applications

Vemotion Interactive, the UK manufacturer of low-latency, high-performance, live video streaming solutions for systems integrators and OEM solutions providers, reports that over the past 12 months, trends in streaming live video have accelerated, and the company has seen an increase in demand for its mobile and rapid deployment CCTV camera solutions. Delivering ultra-low latency, high-resolution live streaming HD video transmission over GPRS, 3G, 4GLTE, 5G, Wi-Fi and Satellite networks, Vemotion’s range of low bandwidth video streaming products provide live video surveillance solutions for mobile, rapid deployment, temporary, or permanent deployment CCTV video surveillance applications. Over the last year, Vemotion’s public sector business has remained robust, and the mix of local authorities, emergency services, government agencies and military sectors have all been extremely busy throughout the period. “Several project decisions were delayed initially but we have seen activity really pick-up latterly,” confirms says Steve Haworth, CEO at Vemotion. “Private sector projects have been much more mixed, and many are now starting to look at video streaming as ways to be more efficient and flexible.” The ability to install cameras in an area of specific interest, whether for temporary deployment or fixed; to monitor crime hot-spots for drugs observation, persistent vandalism, fly-tipping or neighbourhood nuisances, has seen a noticeable uptake. With Vemotion’s ultra-low latency encoders/cameras ability to be deployed beyond the economical reach of existing fixed CCTV networks, Steve puts the noticeable uptake down to: “Agencies wanting to maximise their surveillance budgets and efficiency, in essence, to be more proactive at capturing off-grid incidents rather than missing events. “More and more integrators are building Vemotion’s smaller, lighter and more powerful encoders into PTZ cameras on the edge or running Vemotion streaming software on mobile devices. The simple integration of our streaming encoders and software makes it very easy to capture live high-quality video footage as it unfolds, and alongside the use of video analytics, busy control rooms can be automatically alerted to activity without the need for constant human monitoring. This provision provides ‘eyes on the ground’ and the vital intelligence for organisations to make faster and more informed decisions to drive better outcomes.” Using Vemotion’s range of encoders, customers can live stream and control, low latency surveillance camera video footage from anywhere, without the need for wired infrastructures. “Integrators and organisations are developing new solutions to a raft of common problems,” Steve explains. “For example, we’re seeing the Vemotion VB-35 encoder allied to facial and face mask recognition being deployed across many applications. The use of compact, lightweight Vemotion encoders to provide live mobile video on drones for search and rescue operations has really escalated, to provide quicker and cheaper airborne search capability vs the traditional expensive helicopter alternative.”   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com

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Civil Service strikes deal for ‘hybrid’ offices

Off the back of the news from the Telegraph today that Civil Servants will be allowed to work from home and hybrid office spaces, under new flexible working programmes due to a deal signed with Workplace Group, Zoho Corporation expert, Sridhar Iyengar comments about what this means for private and public sector industry, and why the civil service have committed to this long term shift. “The changes to working practices seen with the Covid-19 pandemic have shown organisations that they can work efficiently and flexibly from home without the costly overheads of office spaces and time-consuming commuting for employees. These perks extend to public sector departments and civil servants, many of whom have already been working efficiently and effectively throughout the course of the UK’s national lockdowns. “Public spending is regularly a topic of debate and speculation, and cutting down on costly office spaces and reverting to a ‘hybrid’ model of work for civil servants is a win-win scenario. Hybrid working will promise workers the best of both worlds, allowing them to socially interact in-person once or twice a week, and reap the flexibility and cost-cutting benefits of home working outside of that. This also simultaneously saves government and local council money, which could be reinvested in more pressing issues. “Many private sector organisations have already committed to long-term remote working, and if more follow, this shift can have a wider societal impact as we see more people move out of busy, urban cities to more rural areas which will benefit economically. Plus, the reduction in commuting brings a wider environmental impact with a reduction in pollution. “For any company to operate successfully with these new working models, it is imperative for business decision makers to equip IT teams with better long-term solutions to surging demand for their services. This includes adopting a scalable suite of SaaS and mobile applications, which are designed to enable and streamline head-to-toe hybrid working. This type of technology can be the solution that ensures organisations remain flexible and adaptable this year, and beyond.”   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com

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Onfido collaborates with Microsoft to bring the Future of Reusable Identity

Onfido, the identity verification and authentication company, announced it has been selected by Microsoft to enable fast and secure identity verification and onboarding for its Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)  verifiable credentials. Azure AD verifiable credentials, now in public preview, provide an open standards approach to safely and securely re-using verified information about a business or user in order to provide fast, frictionless access to new services. Once a person’s real identity is bound to their digital identity using Onfido’s document plus selfie verification, end-users are onboarded to Azure AD and have complete control over their identity from their smartphone, being able to provision its reuse to access additional services. At launch, the service can accelerate remote onboarding of new employees, provide secure access to apps that require different permission levels with single sign-on (SSO), and enable a more trustworthy, self-service account recovery experience across government, education, and financial service applications. Unlike a physical passport which is accepted at every airport; the digital world is different. Individuals have a unique credential (often, a username and password) for every online service they access to prove that they are who they say they are. With the average person managing over 191 pairs of usernames and passwords, this quickly becomes unmanageable and insecure, putting a burden on organizations to verify their customers’ identities and ensure that their data is secure. Individuals can manage credentials in the Microsoft Authenticator app, and developers will be able to request and verify credentials via the application SDK. The process improves verifiability while protecting privacy for businesses, employees, contractors, vendors, and customers. Workforce identity scenarios for Azure AD include: Faster remote onboarding: Azure AD verifiable credentials solution gives users self-service enrolment and faster onboarding with ID verification services. Self-service enrolment and account recovery: Replaces usernames, passwords, and security questions with a simple biometric selfie check Verified access to apps: Users can store and present a verified credential when attempting to access resources that require identity verification based on company policy. “Putting people in control of their own identity will help transform the way global employees, customers, and businesses access remote services,” said Rick Hofmann, VP of Partnerships & Alliances at Onfido. “Being able to verify a person’s identity once at onboarding, and then reuse those credentials to access many different services from different providers without collecting and storing personal data is a game-changer. Individuals get more control over what information they share, and businesses can provide a more seamless onboarding experience.” “Our vision is to provide the platform for a digital identity in which individuals have more control over what information they share and can restrict access if needed,” said Sue Bohn, Partner Director Program Management, Identity Division at Microsoft Corp. “Collaborating with Onfido empowers businesses to verify information at scale while ensuring users have greater control over their personal information.” The Gartner Predicts 2020: Identity and Access Management report states that: “Decentralized identity is making a debut in 2021 and will disrupt traditional methods of access for many providers, as it will be used for 25% of all bring your own identity (BYOI) logins by 2023.”   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com  

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Revolutionary new security product to protect security officers

Following successful trials with police and security staff in South Yorkshire, SmartTag® is now being made available to Security Industry Accredited (SIA) security officers working in the wider Yorkshire area. The award-winning forensic scientists at SmartWater Group created SmartTag following the increase in attacks on frontline workers during the Covid lockdown.  Each security officer will be equipped with a uniquely formulated handheld spray for their exclusive use. However, they are required to sit an online training course and pass an examination before they receive their SmartTag spray. SmartTag is another initiative of the Taming Aggression Group (T.A.G), which is headed by Sir Keith Povey QPM, the purpose of which is to reduce the level of aggression in society. Its first initiative, working with South Yorkshire Police to reduce domestic abuse, was highly successful with a significant reduction in attacks. During the trial in South Yorkshire, the SmartTag equipped security staff reported an immediate calming effect on potential rowdy incidents before they could become violent. Effectively, if an offender is sprayed with SmartTag, they risk being refused entry to any premises equipped with SmartTag detectors and, in serious offences, being arrested by the police at a later date. Detective Superintendent Lee Berry, who launched a pilot last year with security guards when at South Yorkshire Police, said: “Our aim was to create a deterrent for door staff to diffuse violent incidents before they escalated. Over 100 canisters were deployed across the county following a successful trial in Sheffield. We received great feedback from door staff who said they had diffused situations by warning those involved that they would be forensically marked.” Gary Higgins, COO of SmartWater said: “SmartWater is a powerful deterrent as it provides the police with the evidence they need to prosecute, and hundreds of criminals are behind bars as a result.  The trial in Yorkshire with the police and security staff went very well and we believe that SmartTag will be a standard piece of equipment for all professional SIA accredited security officers.” SmartWater is the only product of its type that has been independently accredited as being compliant with the requirements of the Government’s Forensic Science Regulator.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com

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cybersecurity

Nominet Cyber Security comments on 2021 survey

The UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has released the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021 report. Among the findings were that two in five businesses (39%) and a quarter of charities (26%) report having cybersecurity breaches or attacks in the last 12 months. Steve Forbes, Government Cyber Security Expert at Nominet, comments: “The recent Cyber Security Breaches Survey from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport further shows the strain the pandemic has put on cyber resilience. In particular, it points out the additional complications of direct security and user monitoring with so many remote users and the added requirements for upgrades across hardware, software and systems with more endpoints. This is in addition to the general pressure on resources during the pandemic which can cause continuity and maintenance to be prioritised ahead of real advancements in protection. “This experience is no different to many organisations in the public sector, as the need for increased cyber defence is consistent. Nominet has been working closely with the NCSC through the pandemic to bring critical organisations such as the NHS under the protection of PDNS. It has also launched PDNS Digital Roaming, an app which enables the use of PDNS away from the office environment, to facilitate more secure connections. In many ways the past year has done a lot to evolve our cyber response during emergency situations. The impact will no doubt be felt across global cyber security strategies long into the future.”     To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com

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