Veridicom news,
Subj: Veridicom Fingerprint Sensor Technology Integrated Into...
Date: 10/9/00 8:05:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: AOL News
BCC: Bigkid53
Veridicom Fingerprint Sensor Technology Integrated Into New Acer TravelMate Notebook Computer as Key Security Feature
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2000--
Laptop Maker Pioneers Use of Advanced Fingerprint Authentication
to Secure Notebooks as Corporate Users Store
More Valuable Data on Portable Devices
Veridicom, Inc., the leader in fingerprint-based e-business authentication devices and services, today announced that Acer America, with its 739 TLV notebook, has become the first portable computer manufacturer to introduce Veridicom's advanced fingerprint sensor and pre-boot authentication software into the U.S. market. (See www.acer.com.) The new notebook computer combines Veridicom's FPS110 silicon fingerprint sensor chip with Veridicom BIOS Extension (VBX) pre-boot authentication software, and offers complete compatibility with the Intel Protected Access Architecture (IPAA).
The Veridicom FPS110 fingerprint sensor chip is embedded in the TravelMate's palmrest area for easy access. The user simply presses the highly accurate sensor chip with his or her fingerprint when a log-on prompt appears. The authorized user is given full access to the TravelMate after the fingerprint is matched through Veridicom's VBX application. Several people can be enrolled as authorized users.
Without the fingerprint of a registered user, the unbootable notebook computer becomes useless. In addition, should someone remove the hard drive of a stolen TravelMate 739TLV, Veridicom's VBX110 prevents encrypted drives from being read by another system for an added layer of security.
"Failure to secure notebook computers is becoming an expensive and high-profile problem as gigabytes of valuable corporate and personal data are transferred to portable technologies. Security and confidentiality of data are our top priorities," said Arif Maskatia, vice president of engineering at Acer America. "This first use of fingerprint authentication in a mobile device demonstrates the industry's growing acceptance of biometric technology for the protection of portable computing and communications devices from theft."
"If the TravelMate 739TLV with Veridicom's fingerprint authentication and VBX had been available to Qualcomm's CEO only a month ago, Irwin Jacob's sensitive corporate and personal data would still be secure today," said Naeem Zafar, vice president of marketing for Veridicom. "This integration of highly secure fingerprint authentication underscores the protection road warriors need as portable computing becomes ubiquitous and sensitive Internet transactions become commonplace."
Zafar added that Veridicom's fingerprint sensor technology also eliminates the need for passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs) which are inherently vulnerable to loss, guessing or theft.
The FPS110 Fingerprint Sensor Chip
Veridicom's FPS110 silicon fingerprint sensor chip is specially designed for easy integration into portable environments such as the TravelMate 739TLV. The chip combines thin dimensions, a rugged surface, improved surface-area efficiency for more accurate fingerprint readings and battery-saving features for portable power savings.
VBX Software Technology
Veridicom's proprietary VBX technology was specially developed to stop the loading of the operating system when the system BIOS makes a call to VBX. The VBX algorithm then prompts users to authenticate themselves by using the embedded Veridicom silicon fingerprint sensor chip. Once the fingerprint information has been extracted and matched with the stored template, VBX unlocks the BIOS bootup process. The VBX software's small size allows it to be stored in standard BIOS memory or in another memory device.
Veridicom's Role in the Intel IPAA
Veridicom played a key development role in Intel's Protected Access Architecture (IPAA) and now provides full compatibility with this advanced security architecture. IPAA inserts a user authentication application program interface (API) between a fingerprint authentication technology such as Veridicom's and the system BIOS. Fingerprint templates or other authorization matching data is stored in non-volatile protected storage memory. Like VBX, IPAA renders a notebook completely useless until a user can provide the proper fingerprint, smartcard or other identifier. To obtain a white paper that details preventing data theft from stolen laptops, please email info@veridicom.com.
About Acer America Corporation
Established in 1977 as a subsidiary of the Acer Group, Acer America Corp. designs, builds and markets client and server solutions for professionals who require reliable, enhanced productivity and greater value of ownership. Acer America's product offerings include PCs, notebooks, servers, Internet appliances and networking solutions for business, government, education and home users. The Acer Group is one of the world's top three PC manufacturers and employs more than 34,000 people in 193 enterprises spanning 42 countries worldwide, and supporting dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. The Acer Group's revenue in 1999 was US $8.4 billion. For more information about Acer, please visit www.acer.com.
About Veridicom
Veridicom, Inc. is the leader in fingerprint-based technologies and services that enable trusted e-business transactions across networks, intranets and the Internet. The company's extremely accurate silicon fingerprint sensors and peripherals, advanced recognition algorithms and authentication software allow users to conduct business online without fraud or fear. Veridicom, the first technology spin-off from Lucent/Bell Labs, is delivering solutions with a distinct advantage over other authentication technologies that rely on passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs) that can be lost, forgotten or stolen. Veridicom's fingerprint sensors are being included in laptops, keyboards and mobile phones to provide secure authenticated access to the authorized users. Veridicom works closely with a growing list of vendors and systems integrators to provide network security solutions for Fortune 1000 companies around the world.
Note to Editors: Veridicom and the Veridicom logo are trademarks of Veridicom, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
CONTACT:
Veridicom, Inc.
Karla Falat, 408/565-6060
karla@veridicom.com
or
Tsantes & Associates
Kerry Swanson, 408/369-1500 x39
kerry@tsantes.com |
