Biometrics showcased at Comdex

Dozens of companies are showcasing their biometric technologies at Comdex

2000 in Las Vegas, and several are hoping today's trade show exhibit will

be tomorrow's government agency implementation.

SecuGen Corp. displayed an "integrated fingerprint recognition device

in a mechanical lock set" that the FBI began reviewing last week, said Peter

Tarlton, manager of strategic accounts at the San Jose, Calif.-based company.

The device adds a fingerprint verification component to the standard key

to unlock a door.

Another highlighted system was the Immigration and Naturalization Service's

Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT), which uses fingerprint

and facial matching to identify illegal aliens entering the United States.

IDENT recently sent its millionth fingerprint submission to the FBI's central

database.

The IDENT system delivers "response time in days, not weeks," for law

enforcement collaboration, said Danny Chu, president of the Keyware division

that developed the system.

Chu added that Keyware is also working with the General Services Administration

on the biometric component of its smart card initiatives.

Elsewhere, BioNetrix Systems Corp., Vienna, Va., a provider of personal

authentication solutions, announced Monday that its authentication suite

has been added to Spectrum Systems Inc.'s GSA Federal Supply Service schedule.

"This is going to make it easier for us to sell to the federal government.

It provides us leverage in the government market," said Trevor Walker, spokesman

for BioNetrix.

Finally, DigitalPersona Inc. announced that the Glendale, Calif., government

signed a letter of intent last week to order more than 1,000 units of its

U.are.U fingerprint system for workstations over the next five years. The

technology eliminates the need for passwords through fingerprint recognition

and costs about $149 per desktop, said Trish Borrmann, senior marketing

manager for the Redwood City, Calif.-based company.