News and insight into biometric identification and authentication

Air Force gets behind biometrics

Monday, February 4, 2008

The U.S. Air Force is using biometrics to secure facilities and its computer networks.

Air Force members are issued the U.S. Department of Defense’s Common Access Card, but the military branch is using biometrics for additional security. For example, Scott Airforce Base, St. Clair County, Ill., uses hand geometry so personnel can access the Metrolink, a St. Louis area public transportation system.

The Air Force is using biometrics on its computers as well. More than 2,000 computers in the Pentagon have biometric technology installed and has resulted in a 90 percent decrease in username/password helpdesk calls.

In addition, the Air Force is planning to invest in a multi-million dollar biometric-enabled enterprise system called the Defense Biometric Identification System, or DBIDS, which would allow electronic verification of ID cards at base gates.

Read the full story here. [end] 

Related Articles
GlobalPlatform creates new Task Force to support smart card advancements

Just one year after the releasing of the GlobalPlatform Card Networked Framework v1.0, which enables a smart card to intuitively connect to the Web, the standards organizaton announces the introduction of a Connectivity Task Force to address the increasing demand for even more comprehensive IP technology. It is the responsibility of the task force to drive GlobalPlatform’s integration of smart card technology into the IP arena.

read more »
Taiwan's smart ticketing system set for 2010 launch

Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has announced that the country’s new integrated transit card system is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, according to squidcard.com.

read more »
Bangkok taps Vix ERG for micropayments solution

Bangkok Smartcard System (BSS) has contracted Australia’s Vix ERG to supply its MASS clearing house solution for micropayments as part of the company’s greater move to direct Bangkok towards a cashless society.

read more »
Afghan Air Force improving accountability via biometrics

The Afghan National Army Air Force (ANAAF) is utilizing biometrics as a way to improve upon the military branch’s accountability, according to a NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan article. While there was no system for those entering the military before, the ANAAF now has a system that collects a digital picture, a thumb print and an iris scan that will be kept on file.

read more »
Indian school installs biometrics to protect students

Bright Way College in Jankipuram in India has implemented a system developed by biometrics developer GI Biometric Solutions in hopes of better protecting its students from being sent home with people that are not supposed to be picking up the children, such as kidnappers, according to a Times of India article.

read more »
UK police force pilots RFID-based weapon tracking system

A UK police force is piloting a RFID-based weapons tracking solution developed by TAGSYS and RFIP Ltd. to secure armaments for military, law enforcement and other agencies.

read more »

Copyright © 2010, AVISIAN, Inc. All rights reserved.