Focus

Embracing 3-factor & Biometrics

Ng Fook Seng*, pointed out that as more and more companies recognize the importance of authentication security, they are exploring the possibility of adopting three-factor solutions, adding biometric technology.

Biometrics has a number of merits such as allowing user authentication based on a unique physical personal characteristic. From a user perspective, there is a stronger perception of representation compared to usernames and passwords or PINs. Its convenience is high as it cannot be forgotten. Users do not have to keep track of them. They are always available, always with the user.

Ng Fook Seng noted that biometrics enhances the level of a security of a solution and is best seconded by a secure, portable and private device : the user’s smart card. Though it is a common idea that biometric authentication by itself offers an unrivalled level of security ; biometrics have their own set of security challenges & fingerprint sensors can be fooled by plastic fingers, and match-on-server solutions can be subject to replay attacks.

Gemalto has launched a biometric security solution called Protiva^TM .NET Bio Solution that allows users to have the flexibility of adopting 2-factor authentication (Biometrics + card) or 3-factor authentication (Pin + biometrics + card).

The .NET Bio is an innovative solution that works with Gemalto’s smart cards to seamlessly integrate biometric technology into Windows XP, Vista and 7.

The .NET Bio solution enables fingerprint match-on-card user authentication as an alternative or complement to smart card PIN verification. This in turn gives access to the digital certificates on the card, which can then be used for Windows logon, digital signature, file encryption, secure remote access and other PKI applications.

“With this new offering, Gemalto gives companies the choices of adopting two or three-factor authentication and the benefit of embracing biometrics,” said Ng Fook Seng.