Biometric security products can't guarantee 100% authentication - nothing can, experts say. But executives at Keyware Technologies say a tool kit the company is releasing Tuesday can tighten precautions a few notches further.
Keyware's LBV - layered biometrics verification - Internet Toolkit will allow software providers to add biometric voice and fingerprint authentication to traditional security applications that protect Internet servers, the company says.
Keyware is targeting system integrators and value-added resellers who deal with e-commerce applications requiring high levels of security, Veronique Wittebolle, Keyware executive vice president, said in a telephone interview Thursday. Customers might also include public-key infrastructure vendors who want to increase the security of their products, she said.
"Everyone realizes there is not one baseline [technology] that is going to solve everything [needed for complete security]," Wittebolle said. "But biometrics can and does work."
Keyware's LBV software can integrate several biometric identification features into an application, and is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 and higher and with Microsoft's Information Server, the company says. Pricing begins at $4,550 for the LVB Internet Toolkit with LVB Server.
One analyst said the layered security levels could provide most value for companies needing high levels of security. "If you are selling $12 million of steel, maybe you want to be really, really secure," said Frank Price, senior analyst with Forrester Research. "That's where you may go the extra mile."
One area where the tool kit could be used is for enhancing security for Internet banking. A bank, contracting with an application service provider, could require biometric verification for a high-value transaction over the Internet.
A vendor seeking to wire money using the Internet would go to the bank's Web page, fill out the required information and submit the transaction. If the transaction were for a high value, the bank would decide it needs biometric verification and automatically send a message to the Keyware LBV server requesting that the vendor speak a passphrase and use the fingerprint scanner. The LBV server would then verify the passphrase and the fingerprint and notify the bank if the request is accepted or rejected. No biometric templates leave the Keyware server, keeping them away from possible public access, according to Keyware.
Keyware: www.keyware.com
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