BioNetrix delivers layered biometrics suite

The BioNetrix Authentication Suite, made by BioNetrix Systems Corp., allows organizations to centrally manage different types of biometric authentication on a network.

The BioNetrix Authentication Suite is an open platform that manages any authentication technology, including passwords, smart cards, tokens, fingerprint recognition, face verification and voice verification. In other words, an administrator can manage both biometric and nonbiometric authentication from one console. This enables layered authentication, which increases security.

Additionally, the Suite supports authentication to multiple applications, meaning you can set up a biometric authentication requirement for network log on, Internet transactions, database access or any other application that requires security. Administrators can enforce authentication policies throughout the enterprise as well as on the World Wide Web.

The product supports six authentication policies, so administrators can fine-tune security needs to the networking environment.

* An "and" policy requires the user to authenticate using all verification methods listed in the policy. For example, a user might have to successfully authenticate with a fingerprint and face and password.

* An "or" policy requires the user to authenticate successfully using one of several methods listed in the policy. This could be useful when traveling, for example. If a user fails voice authentication because of a noisy environment such as an airport, a password could be used as a backup.

* A "random" policy requires the user to authenticate to a randomly presented authentication method.

* A "contingent" policy requires successful authentication using one authentication method and may require a second method, depending on how well the user authenticated the first method.

* A "threshold" policy requires the user to achieve a pre-determined authentication "score" (meaning, how well the collected data matches that person's stored data). The administrator also can require that the user achieve a minimum score on multiple authentication methods.

* A "user" policy requires multiple users to successfully authenticate on one or more authentication methods. For example, in order to open a certain database application, the policy might require Jane and John to log on using their voices and faces.

The BioNetrix Authentication Suite integrates with existing security infrastructures, and to speed migration, administrators can import users from supported applications. In addition, users can be enrolled from either a central or remote location. The software accommodates scaling from individual workstations to thousands of users in any network environment. Further, you can use the BioNetrix Authentication Suite in conjunction with a public-key infrastructure/digital certificate environment. For example, a fingerprint scan could trigger the digital signing process, thereby verifying the identity of the person signing.

In addition to the BioNetrix Authentication Suite, BioNetrix offers an Authentication Starter Kit to help companies get started with multiple biometric authentication. The kit can be used to deploy and test biometrics on a small scale at first and then expand later. It comes with the BioNetrix Authentication Suite software and a license for 10 users, two fingerprint scanners, two PC digital cameras, two microphones and software for fingerprint, facial and voice authentication. The retail price is $2,500.

The BioNetrix Authentication Suite costs between $70 and $250 per user.

For more information about BioNetrix, call (800) 397-7561 or visit www.bionetrix.com. You also may e-mail BioNetrix at info@bionetrix.com.