Biometric Security Solution Replaces Passwords with Palm Scan
Fujitsu and IBM integrate palm-scanning biometric technology with single-sign-on software for improved security, better data protection, and regulation compliance.
A new security solution integrating palm vein biometric technology was announced by Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. and IBM recently.
The new offering aims to help companies bypass the hassles of ma
naging multiple passwords for access to critical business information by enabling employees to scan their palms to verify their identities. By integrating the palm vein technology with IBM’s single-sign-on software, employees can securely access applications, files, and Web sites with a single scan of their palm, eliminating the threats posed by lost or stolen passwords.
The solution combines Fujitsu PalmSecure LogonDirector with IBM Tivoli Access Manager for Single Sign-On with the goal of providing organizations with a comprehensive authentication solution for protecting data that also complies with HIPAA, Sarbanes Oxley, PCI DDS, and other industry and federal regulations.
The Fujitsu PalmSecure palm vein authentication technology uses near-infrared light to capture a person’s palm vein pattern, generating a unique biometric template that is matched against users’ pre-registered palm vein patterns. An employee simply holds his or her hand over a small scanning device attached to a computer; the scanning device then reads the employee’s vein pattern and recognizes the user’s identity, providing access to his or her files.
The International Biometrics Group, which evaluates biometric products through comparative testing, found that palm vein technology competes well with iris scanning technology in accuracy and demonstrated extremely low occurrences of both false positive and false negative readings.
“A typical organization spends hundreds of dollars per employee per year on lost passwords through help desk support,” says E.K. Koh, program director for single-sign-on at IBM Tivoli Software. “IBM’s work with Fujitsu replaces archaic password structures with a single path of access that resides in the palms of the employees’ hand and can be managed more efficiently, saving companies thousands of dollars in IT support while protecting critical organizational data and information.”
IBM Tivoli Access Manager for Enterprise Single Sign-On enables a user to log in once, to gain access to the necessary systems or applications without being prompted to log in again at each of them. The combined solution from IBM and Fujitsu now uses palm vein technology in place of a user password.
“The combination of PalmSecure LogonDirector and IBM Tivoli Access Manager for Enterprise Single-Sign-On [sees to it] that strong biometric authentication is a critical component in addressing IT security and compliance requirements,” says Jim Preasmyer, director of sales and business development, Advanced Technology Group, Fujitsu Frontech of North America, Inc
As part of this integration, Fujitsu PalmSecure LogonDirector has been validated through the Ready for IBM Tivoli Software program, ensuring that the integration with Tivoli products meets IBM’s requirements for interoperability and user experience. Validated products bear the Ready for IBM Tivoli logo.
