Orsus, a developer of situation management solutions, in a partnership with Orad, a developer of security systems integration technology, has been contracted to implement its Situator products in the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE). The Situator product suite will integrate access control, intruder detection, and surveillance cameras throughout the facility. Among the tools to be integrated into the new system will be the biometric access control which requires a fingerprint scan prior to entering the facility.

In addition to optimizing security response to a variety of situations, the new system will also allow for better training simulations for security personnel as well as better communication of situations to other areas of the IDE.  

Datastrip, a developer of biometric technologies, Codebench, a developer of security software and AMAG Technology, a developer of security management technology, have partnered to create a simple way for agencies to validate credentials for PIV and TWIC at facilities already employing AMAG’s Symmetry Security Management System (SMS).

The new system sees Datastrip’s DSV2 TURBO fingerprint terminal with Codebench’s PIVCheck Plus registration software installed on it to create a single device capable of enrolling or updating user data as well as identity verification via four-factor authentication: PIN, photo and fingerprint matching and a check of the card’s digital certificate. Additionally, the new system allows for PIV and TWIC cards to be linked to a user’s old card to keep a facility from having to change out any AMAG hardware.  

BIO-key, a developer of fingerprint biometrics, and their partner Sig-Tec, a developer of security and access management technology, has announced the deployment of fingerprint based identity and access control system to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio. The system will be used primarily to secure computer stations and certain applications on them.

The system was implemented by the agency as both a way to step up IT security while lowering IT costs by lessening the calls to the help desk for lost passwords. This first phase of implementation sees the necessary hardware and software installed at the county’s thirteen correctional facilities with more than 300 officers and civilians enrolled.  

Switzerland’s citizens are set to vote on whether or not they want passports and ID cards embedded with chips containing biometric information, according to a Swiss Info article. This past March the Swiss parliament approved a country-wide implementation of biometric passports and ID cards for their citizens, however, the program’s opponents collected 55,000 signatures to oppose it.

The system was a requirement of Switzerland signed Schengen open-border treaty; however, it has been suspended under privacy and security concerns by its political and civil opponents.

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Ceelox, a developer of biometric security solutions, has entered into an agreement with UK-based information technology solutions provider Intellitech IT Solutions Limited that holds Intellitech as a channel sales partner for the UK. The agreement is Ceelox’s first foray into the European market.

Among the Ceelox products that will now be offered in the UK are Ceelox Vault, user-friendly encryption software that utilizes fingerprint scanners for added security.  

Following a seven year trial for the technology, Australia is ready to being full implementation of facial recognition checkpoints for border control at their airports called SmartGate, according to a ZDNet article. The system has already been implemented at Qantas, Brisbane, Cairns and Melbourne for Australians with biometric chip embedded e-passports and is expected to be fully rolled-out by June 2009.

Hewlitt-Packard, a developer of computer hardware and software, has released a new line of their Compaq laptops in India that come equipped with fingerprint readers among other new features, according to a TechTree article.

Although the inclusion of fingerprint readers greatly improves security, the new series is aimed at younger generations. In addition to the biometric fingerprint readers, HP has included new designs to the laptops, a built-in TV tuner, a Blu-Ray drive and a remote control.

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As part of the Computer Controlled Methadone Dispensing System (CCMDS) being implemented in most jails in the UK, prisoners are having their iris or fingerprint biometrics taken, according to a Guardian article.

The purpose of the CCMDS is to relieve the problems in UK jails related to drug overdoses and drug trading by ensuring via biometric information that the correct inmate is receiving the correct drugs.

GEICO Federal Credit Union headquarters has implemented biometric solutions from US Biometrics, called AccessQ, in an effort to establish better secure entrances. Additionally, GEICO is planning on using US Biometrics’ suite of desktop security software, called CentralQ, to comply with NCUA security standards.

AccessQ and CentralQ will help control and monitor access points using fingerprint biometrics throughout the building as well as use of applications and devices in the building.  

Under a new agreement Avalon Technology Group, a developer of biometric technology, will become the sole provider of biometric devices an IT distributors that supplies many international companies with hardware and software. Avalon did not release the name of the supplier.

This new agreement set Avalon ahead of schedule for their goal of $50 million in sales for their biometric time clocks. The agreement was the third for Avalon this fiscal quarter.