Begin forwarded message:
From: Brian Randell <Brian.Randell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: June 28, 2005 5:27:28 PM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Biometric Innovation Breakthrough answers UK ID Card
Security Fears
Dave:
This "understated" commercial press release has been issued the
very day that the UK Parliament is debating the Government's
controversial ID Card proposals.
I look forward to reading IPers reactions!
cheers
Brian Randell
PRESS RELEASE
June 29th 2005
Further information: 02476 236644
Press Office: John Fisher - 01785 840978
M: 07808 171 664
John.g.fisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
jfisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.senselect.com
Biometric Innovation Breakthrough answers UK ID Card Security Fears
A biometric identity card system that is hacker and thief-proof
and puts the missing privacy and security into the UK ID project -
has been unveiled today (Wednesday).
The British inventors of the BiometricPIN system say the system
can be used in the new UK ID cards, overcoming all security fears
and objections and putting control on the use of biometrics in the
hands of the user. Instead of using a single, easily lifted or
stolen fingerprint, BiometricPIN will allow any sequence of finger
prints determined by the user. No one has been able to achieve
this so far and the implications will be global as spin-off
projects emerge.
The sequence creates a digital pattern that can only be recreated
by the user. When it is stored on a Government or central database
it simply becomes an unidentifiable "blob" that cannot be stolen.
Behind the world-first breakthrough is West Midlands biometric
company, Senselect Limited, which has been working on the hush-
hush software-based system for five years. John Topping, Managing
Director of Senselect, said BiometricPIN would have implications
for everyday life across the world, but the company has
concentrated so far on the ID card security problem and the "big
brother" fears it instills in people.
"This is totally secure, fast and "hacker-proof", said Mr Topping.
"The sequence simply cannot be replicated by anyone other than by
the user. It also allows the user to determine just how much
information others can see about them. A doctor, for example,
could be restricted to medical history whilst a bartender will
only get confirmation that the customer is over 18."
With BionetricPIN there will be no "big brother", said John
Topping and identities stored on Government databases are safe
from theft. With single finger biometrics everyone has a right to
be scared because, while you can change a pin number if you are
compromised, fingerprints are for life.
Biometrics using single fingerprints as an identifier have been
used for some years, and despite them being capable of being
"lifted", their use has grown. Their use in government ID cards -
even with the backup of iris and facial biometrics - is considered
a step backwards by many.
"With BiometricPIN there would be total security as the pattern
decided on uniquely by the user cannot be lifted from a single
finger reader or hacked from a database", said John Topping.
"BiometricPIN produces a unique biometric print that just cannot
be copied. It also needs live fingers."
Mr Topping said BiometricPIN would solve a huge worldwide problem.
Anyone concerned that their ID could be copied can rest assured
that this will allay all their fears. Protecting peoples ID is
already written into our law but with BiometricPIN it will be in
the hands of the user. Senselect says BiometricPIN, because it is
software-based, can be used in conjunction with all existing
technology, along with iris and facial biometric systems.
The company says it already has several European governments
interested in implementing BiometricPIN and Senselect has produced
a set of security standards for cross border biometric
identification. This is now being considered by the European Union
for adoption.
Added John Topping: "We believe we have solved a huge problem for
the world and are ready to share our knowledge. This is the
biggest breakthrough in computer technology for many years and
will have a huge impact on everyday commerce as further
applications for BiometricPIN emerge".
Ends
Senselect Limited
Coventry University Technology Park
The Innovation Centre
Puma Way
Coventry, UK, CV1 2TT
http://www.senselect.com
For further information, please reply to
<mailto:john.g.fisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>john.g.fisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
--
School of Computing Science, University of Newcastle, Newcastle
upon Tyne,
NE1 7RU, UK
EMAIL = Brian.Randell@xxxxxxxxx PHONE = +44 191 222 7923
FAX = +44 191 222 8232 URL = http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/~brian.randell/
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