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To: steve who wrote (19385)	12/11/2000 8:25:05 AM
From: steve	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 26039

Biometrics is fun says Frost & Sullivan!!! BW0072 DEC 11,2000 5:00 PACIFIC 08:00 EASTERN ( BW)(CA-FROST-&-SULLIVAN) Frost & Sullivan Research Reveals Biometrics Is Not Mission Impossible Business Editors & High-Tech Writers SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2000--We have all seen it in the movies. A person needing access to a computer network uses a fingerprint, his voice or an eye scan to identify himself. Well, the movies have become reality. Biometrics, a method of authentication based on physical or behavioral characteristics, is projected to become much more prolific in the coming decade as our increasingly paperless society looks for a quick, secure way to identify people. New strategic market research from Frost & Sullivan (www.frost.com) reveals that the "U.S. User Authentication Device Markets" generated revenues of over $200 million in 1999. Frost & Sullivan predicts that figure will reach $2.6 billion by 2006. This industry is composed of hardware tokens, software tokens, and biometrics. All are used for authentication. The hardware token segments are the most widely used authentication devices. "Growth in this market will be spurred largely by the ability of smart cards and USB tokens to store digital certificates used in PKI," says Frost & Sullivan industry expert Jason Wright. "The hardware token market is expected to mirror the growth of the PKI market in the U.S." While the hardware token segment controls the lions' share of the market, the biometrics segment is the most interesting. The biometric market had been virtually non-existent until 1999, but it is expected to flourish over the next several years as it becomes a mainstream solution. Industry-wide standards are being set, thanks to the efforts of Microsoft and the International Biometric Industry Association (IBIA), BioAPI consortium. Microsoft is integrating biometric authentication technology into its next version of Windows, thereby validating the technology. "The Microsoft implementation conveys to the public that this technology is ready for widespread adoption," says Wright. "Many IT administrators have dismissed the idea of biometric solutions as not being a viable technology or have been hesitant to involve themselves in a technology that has not achieved mainstream status. For many, the Microsoft move will alleviate those apprehensions." Yet there are other security solutions less expensive than biometrics. Why wouldn't security administrators go with a cheaper alternative? Wright believes that the use of biometric solutions will increase because of the sheer fun of using the equipment. "While this aspect of the technology is seldom considered, the fact is users enjoy using biometric authentication devices," says Wright. "Since the technology is viewed as cutting-edge and so simple to use, biometric products definitely appeal to users. The allure of using biometric equipment will help vendors win contracts for implementation over other security technologies." The difficulty involved in deceiving a biometric device is what makes this method of authentication so secure. In the past, however, price of equipment has been a significant hurdle. The declining cost of these solutions eliminates a critical barrier to market penetration. "Fingerprint scanners can now be purchased for less than $100. Crossing the $100 mark has enormous positive implications in the psyche of buyers...," says Wright. Frost & Sullivan presents the 2000 Marketing Engineering Awards to companies that have worked hard to make a positive contribution to the U.S. User Authentication device industry. The Brand Awareness Development Award is presented to RSA Security (RSAS). The Market Penetration Award goes to CryptoCard. The Product Innovation Award is given to eTrue (formerly Miros). I/O Software is the recipient of the Technology Innovation Award. Companies that participated within this industry include: Access Controls; ActivCard; Aladdin Knowledge Systems; American Biometric Company; Authen Tec; Axent Technologies; Biometric Access Corp. (BAC); Biometric ID (BII); Biometric Security Corp.; BioNetrix; Blockade; CryptoCard; Cybernetic; Cylink; DataKey; Digital Persona; Electro-Optical Systems; eTrue; Eutron; First Access; Gemplus; IBM; I/O Software; Identix; IriScan; Key Tronic; Keyware Technologies; Leehmah Datacom; Litronic; Mytec; National Registry; Net Nanny Software; Neurodynamics; Parkinson Howe Ltd.; Precise Biometrics; RSA; Rainbow Technologies; SAC Technologies; SafLink; Secugen; Secure Computing; Schlumberger; Shuttle Technology; Sony; SpeakEZ (T-Ntix); Spyrus; Thompson SGS; Thorne Secure Science; Unisys; Utimaco; V-One; Veridicom; VeriVoice; Visage; Vista Imaging; Visionics; Who?Vision; VASCO, and ZaphyrBiometrics. Frost & Sullivan, which is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is a global leader in international strategic market consulting and training. Frost & Sullivan's industry experts monitor the IT industry for market trends, market measurements and strategies. This ongoing research is used to complement the Network Security Subscription, which includes studies on the U.S Digital Certificate Markets and the U.S. Firewalls Market. Executive summaries and interviews are available to the press. Along with publishing in-depth strategic market consulting research, Frost & Sullivan also provides custom consulting needs to a variety of national and international companies. "U.S. User Authentication Device Markets" Report: 7418-74 Date: November 2000 --30--dw/sa* CONTACT: Frost & Sullivan, San Antonio Kristi Grier, 210/247-2403 kgrier@frost.com frost.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS HARDWARE INTERNET NETWORKING SOFTWARE PUBLISHING sf-web1.businesswire.com steve