(Nikkei BP Group)
(No.1 High-Tech News Site in Japanese)
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| Biometric Authentication Systems Used for Reliable Security
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October 5, 1998 (TOKYO) -- An increasing number of devices are utilizing
biometric authentication technology to verify the identity of an authorized
user of personal computers.
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With the biometric authentication technology, authorized users can be
identified by fingerprints or facial features. The recognition is done
by checking an individual's physical features that seldom change over
the years such as those of fingerprints, facial features or an iris,
against previously registered data.
This technology enhances system security, reducing the possibility of
unauthorized access compared with password-based user authentication
systems.
Lower-Priced Fingerprint Authentication Systems are Introduced
Recently, such fingerprint authentication systems have been attracting
considerable attention in Japan. Yoshihiro Tsukamura, general manager
of Sony Corp.'s Bionics Department, said that fingerprint authentication
systems are usually superior in terms of price, operability and size.
The price is an important factor when users consider introducing such
authentication systems for client PCs. Compaq Computer K.K. of Japan,
has introduced a set of a fingerprint-reading devices and a dedicated
software package for 19,000 yen (US$140). It reduced the price by downsizing
the device and using a CMOS image sensor to read fingerprints, Compaq
officials said.
Some other fingerprint authentication systems, priced at tens of thousands
of yen, have also been announced (See table).
Those systems boast an authentication rate of 99 percent or more, in
just a few seconds. These devices have reached a state of practicality.
Used for Handling Confidential Data
Sangikyo Co., Ltd., which installs and operates parabolic antennas and
other large communication equipment, introduced in April a fingerprint
authentication system for its NT server.
The company had been utilizing a user ID and password system to verify
its authorized system users.
"Our company decided to introduce the system because we store highly
confidential data including facility plans of clients in the NT server,"
said Yoshinori Nakamura, MIS manager of the administrative division
of Sangikyo's information systems department.
Sangikyo uses 34 devices at its accounting, personnel and general affairs
sections. An additional 100 devices will be installed in 1999.
The system is a server version of ONLY ONE Windows NT Long-on System,
jointly developed by Sony and Tsubasa System Co., Ltd.
"Although sometimes the system cannot make an authentication in its first
attempt depending on the dryness of the finger and other variables,
I believe that it has reached a practical level," Nakamura said. He
also said that the security level of the system is higher than those
employing conventional password-based systems.
Little Reluctance to Accept Fingerprint-based System Among Users
Makers of fingerprint authentication systems are not overly concerned
with Japanese users' reluctance to offer their fingerprints when utilizing
the system.
Most systems store fingerprints as numerical data, not as image data,
and the system cannot decompress fingerprints from the numerical data.
Those who are initially unwilling to provide their fingerprints will
generally be convinced to do so when they are informed of that system
characteristic, according to officials at Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
Many users like the ease-of-use features. For example, before shipping
its fingerprint authentication systems, Omron Corp. conducted a test
in a hospital. It installed a PC with a password-based user authentication
system and a one with a fingerprint-based system, and observed which
PC was more popular. The test showed that more visitors to the hospital
used the PC with the fingerprint authentication system, according to
an Omron spokesman.
PC-based Authentication Systems are Mainstream
Two types of fingerprint user authentication systems are mainly used.
One type of system transfers fingerprint data it reads to a PC and verifies
users by checking fingerprints against the stored data. The other type
of device handles all reading, checking and verifying.
The read-only devices are less expensive. However, the security level
is higher with the devices that handle all reading, checking and verifying.
A PC containing stored fingerprint data is capable of checking and verifying.
Even though the fingerprint data is encrypted, it is more vulnerable
to theft than data stored in flash memories built in a device.
Tsukamura of Sony said the problem with the PC-based system is the difficulty
in ascertaining when fingerprint data is stolen.
On the other hand, users of the all-in-one devices will be able to ascertain
more easily when data stored in the device is stolen because a theft
must be familiar with the mechanism of the system and must disassemble
the system to steal the data, Tsukamura said.
Table: Major PC-based Biometric Authentication Systems
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Authentication Object
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Manufacturer
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Price (10,000 yen is approx.
US$70)
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Shipment Date
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Domestic Shipments
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Fingerprint
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Omron
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24,800 yen for a set of a read-only authentication device
and a dedicated software package
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July 1998
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About 2,000 units
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Compaq Computer
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19,000 yen for a set of a read-only authentication device
and a dedicated software package
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November 1998
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Sony (hardware), Tsubasa System (software)
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128,000 yen for a set of a read-only authentication
device and a dedicated software package
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November 1997
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About 2,000 units
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Fujitsu
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50,000 yen for a set of a read-only authentication device
and software for development
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August 1998
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About 10 users
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Mitsubishi Electric
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98,000 yen for a set of a read-only authentication device
and software for development
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April 1998
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About 150 units
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Handwriting
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CADIX
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The price of such software starts from 150,000 yen with
25 users. A stylus device is needed.
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April 1996
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Tens of thousands of users
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Facial features
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NEXUS
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50,000 yen per client (software only). A camera will be
needed.
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August 1998
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About 10 users
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Iris
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Oki Electric Industry
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1.5 million yen for a stand-alone type (a set of a PC,
software and a read-only device)
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October 1998
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(return to news)
(Yuichi Sakaguchi, Staff Editor, Nikkei Computer)
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