BioGuard Launches Advanced Biometric Authentication System

BioGuard providing biometric solutions launches PalmGuard to maximize accuracy and ease of use for security-based applications

(SANEPR.com) March 19, 2008
BioGuard Unveils Breakthrough Palm Vein Authentication Solution
in Collaboration with Computer Sky and Fujitsu Europe Limited

PalmGuard™ maximizes accuracy and ease of use for security-based applications

Rosh Ha’ayin, Israel, March 8, 2008 - BioGuard, a leading provider of biometric solutions for a wide variety of applications, today announced the launch of PalmGuard™, an advanced biometric authentication system for verifying an individual’s identity by recognizing the unique pattern of veins in the palm. Combining Fujitsu's breakthrough palm vein authentication technology with BioGuard's compact product design and powerful management software, PalmGuard maximizes accuracy and ease of use for security-based applications.

The Business Need for Palm Vein Authentication Solutions
The ease with which traditional authentication systems can be compromised, together with the rapid growth in identity theft and increasing privacy concerns have resulted in a surge in demand for stronger authentication methods. Biometric authentication methods, such as palm vein scanning, use "something you are" as the basis of verification, rather than something you have, like a smart card or PIN. PalmGuard is a contactless solution that uses a near-infrared beam to scan the distinct vein patterns deep within each individual's palm, which are virtually impossible to duplicate or forge. This ensures unsurpassed accuracy, security and usability for applications requiring strong authentication.

"Among today’s available biometric technologies, PalmGuard provides top level reliability and accuracy, while also offering maximum convenience with respect to ease of use. It addresses the growing scourge of credit card and smart card fraud, as well as helping organizations comply with HIPAA and other legal requirements," stated Ofer Gol, CEO at BioGuard.

Delivering Strong Authentication for a Wide Range of Applications
PalmGuard delivers strong authentication for a wide range of applications:

• Banking - PalmGuard can be implemented to support a variety of banking scenarios including ATMs, walk-in customers, internal bank security and remote banking for business customers
• Kiosks - PalmGuard performs quick and accurate authentication of identity, such as machines in airports that issue airplane e-tickets, kiosks in clinics that dispense medical test results, or automated stands in train stations that check monthly rail passes.
• Hospitals and healthcare - PalmGuard secures access to patient data in compliance with HIPAA requirements. Hospitals need to accurately verify patients ID to protect them from medical identity theft and insurance fraud. This hygienic solution enables authorized personnel to enter restricted areas or log into computer systems in sterile areas without having to remove their gloves.
• Physical access - PalmGuard can be used to manage high security entry control for financial institutions, military facilities, schools and other types of organizations. In addition, it serves as a time and attendance solution, enabling organizations to track employees' arrival and departure times using on-access control.
• Logical access - Organizations can use PalmGuard to secure their valuable information and protect the privacy of customer and employee information. It supports single sign-on (SSO) to enable a user to authenticate once and gain access to the resources of multiple software systems.

“The market has recognized the need for biometric authentication solutions, particularly in the financial and healthcare industries,” stated NAME, TITLE at Fujitsu. “Through our strategic partnership with BioGuard, we are able to offer a highly accurate, easy to use palm authentication solution at a very attractive price. This solution enables enterprises and organizations to enjoy the benefits of our cutting-edge palm vein scanning technology, together with BioGuard’s proven experience in the development and implementation of innovative biometric authentication solutions.”

Advantages of Palm Vein Authentication over Other Biometric Authentication Technologies
Palm vein scanning technology offers a number of salient advantages versus other biometric identification methods in terms of security, accuracy, performance and usability. PalmGuard severely reduces the risk of security breaches because the veins are deep within the hand and arranged in very complicated, hard-to-reproduce patterns. Fingerprints, in contrast, are based on making contact, and can be "lifted" from a glass surface and duplicated using commonly found ingredients.

A key advantage of palm vein authentication is that it uses "no touch" technology, enabling it to be used when hands are dirty, wet or even wearing latex gloves. Equally important, since the hand never touches the device while it's being scanned, it is a clean and convenient solution in situations where hygiene is important (e.g., hospitals).

About BioGuard

BioGuard is a leading developer of innovative, proprietary biometric solutions for a wide variety of applications – for business, government, security and home use. Our goal is to develop and implement high-performance, user-friendly biometric products and solutions, meeting the rapidly growing need for positive identification and effectively countering the increasingly widespread phenomena of identity theft and forgery.

The company's advanced systems and modules combine an unmatched level of performance in terms of accuracy and one-to-many matching with exceptional ease of use, fully complying with US and European biometric standards. Operating as stand-alone systems or as part of a network, BioGuard's state-of-the-art biometric solutions are deployed for satisfied customers in the USA, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East and Africa. For more information about BioGuard, please visit: www.bio-guard.net.

About Computer Sky Vertriebs GmbH
Computer Sky Vertriebs GmbH has been operating for more than 20 years in the fields of purchasing, consultation, distribution and software development with various partners worldwide. One of its main market segments is home security and biometric solutions, in which it conducts joint ventures and cooperation with several leading companies. Currently, Computer Sky Vertriebs has been instrumental in supporting BioGuard and Fujitsu in the promotion of the unique PalmGuard solution. In this role, its goal is to enlarge the distribution of the PalmGuard solution worldwide. See www.computersky.de for further information.