Biometric Innovation Breakthrough answers UK ID Card Security Fears

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Brian Randell <Brian.Randell () newcastle ac uk>
Date: June 28, 2005 5:27:28 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
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 () btinternet com
> jfisher () senselect com
>
> 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 () btinternet com>john.g.fisher () btinternet com

--
School of Computing Science, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon  
Tyne,
NE1 7RU, UK
EMAIL = Brian.Randell () ncl ac uk   PHONE = +44 191 222 7923
FAX = +44 191 222 8232  URL = http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/~brian.randell/



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