Fingerprint reader security tool
By Fauziah Muhtar
25th February 2002 (Computimes)

THE easiest and safest way to verify one's ID is through a person's unique body parts like fingerprints or iris. As for now there are many solutions in the market that emphasise the usage of biometric system to protect a company's data from being accessed by unauthorised personnel.

But how do we choose this solution from one to another? Actually the goal for this kind of security solution is to protect our data. Just like smartcards, every biometric system is unique to its manufacturer and the one that we should choose would be the one that can vary its applications.

This is what Biotrac Solutions Sdn Bhd is providing through its range of biometric authentication systems.

According to its general manager Mohd Suhaili Ghazali, biometric fingerprint authentication system is the best solution to replace password verification system for secured transaction or access. It is considered as the first level of authentication for any access.

"Maybe not many companies realise that it is actually cheaper to use biometrics solution on large user base compared to using smartcards," he said.

One of the solutions highlighted is Veridicom Personal Authentication System (VPAS) which is a fingerprint reader and application software for personal computers (PC) that provides added security to users' data.

VPAS can be used with either the Veridicom 5th Sense Combo, a combine fingerprint and smartcard reader or the Veridicom 5th Sense with fingerprint reader-only and a Confirma data security software.

The Veridicom 5th Sense Combo reader can be easily plugged into a PC universal serial bus (USB) or parallel port as it comes with both options. Plus, it can also be used on both standalone or networked PC depending on the software bought.

The Confirma software data security family includes SecureStart, SecureSuite and Protector Suite software.

SecureStart prevents unauthorised access to Windows 95/98 desktop at start-up or from the screensaver. SecureSuite includes all the features and benefits of SecureStart with the added benefits of data encryption, PasswordBank and public key infrastructure (PKI) support.

Meanwhile, Protector Suite offers many of the functions of SecureSuite plus additional features. This includes support for Windows NT making it suitable for enterprises that want to standardise their Windows access control on a single security software suite.

These software come in various modules addressing specific needs like Logon Module, PKI Module, Secure Screen Saver, PasswordBank, FileDisk Encryption, smartcard support and enterprise-wide ready with an upgrade to the Protector Suite Professional.

The Veridicom 5th Sense Combo reader is priced at RM700 and the Veridicom 5th Sense costs RM550. However, the pricing of the whole system varies according to the reader and software required.

"As a system integrator, we are also capable of developing specific software for using VPAS on other applications like banking," he added.

Biotrac also introduced a Web-based access control and time attendance solution called iGuard which incorporates biometric fingerprint authentication and contact-less smartcard systems.

Mohd Suhaili said the manufacturer claimed that this is the first Web-based time attendance solution in the market

He added that the unique feature of this system is a software which is embedded into the device itself and no dedicated computer is needed.

This makes it very easy to set up. Each iGuard box can store hundreds of fingerprint images and smartcard data depending on the installed memory capacity.

It incorporates an embedded Web server, which enables all computers such as Macintosh, PCs and Unix machines in the corporate computer network to set up, maintain and access information of the device using standard Internet browser.

It adopts the most widely used transmission control and Internet protocol (TCP/IP) communication protocol. Multiple iGuard devices in various locations can be easily networked and synchronised through the intranet or Internet.

Data from this system can be exported in Excel and Text formats to be shared by other software that support the same formats.

By year end, the company is expecting a sales turnover of RM1.5 million in which Veridicom solutions will be the major contributor followed by iGuard.