Biometric breakthrough to be unveiled at Dubai summit

A technology breakthrough for the identity authentication industry, the reader provides instant, on-the-spot identity verification of individuals from biometric contact and contactless "smart cards." It goes on show at The Identity Summit in Dubai from 16 to 18 May.

The Summit, which incorporates the 2nd Middle East Biometrics Forum, is focused on the high-technology identity solutions and biometric technologies that are in increasing widespread use by both government agencies and private companies to provide security, protect personal information and reduce fraud.

The reader is an industry breakthrough from a company called Datastrip, innovators in personal ID verification technology and development. It was voted the best new biometric product of the year by the Security Industry Association in the United States last month.

The new device comes at a crucial time when personal identification and security access is a key issue for governments as well as public and private sectors in the Middle East and around the world.

The device supports emerging biometric technologies, in addition to traditional identification techniques. It is suitable for a host of smart card applications - from national ID, drivers' licences and passports to financial, health, security access and ID registration.

The new reader is designed for mobile use where on-the-spot verification is crucial for both speed and efficiency. These include border crossings, security access points and driver ID and extend to mobile registration for conferences and exhibitions as well as secure payment systems.

"Today's identity verification solutions require flexibility, mobility and multiple technologies," said Patrick Gilmore, Datastrip's Business Development Director for Middle East, Africa and India.

"Our device can be used simply to do a photographic or biometric match, for biographic or biometric screening only, or for both, and it can go anywhere that identity checks are needed. With the combination of versatility and portability, it equips security managers with broad capabilities that never were possible before.

"Identity verification is a top priority for our customers and we now have a solution that offers the flexibility to handle the ever-increasing demands of ID technology on cards and documents" he adds.