Group demos new architecture for strong authentication with fingerprint; Fujitsu launched its STYLISTIC Q736 featuring different types of security technologies including palm vein biometric; BlackRidge Technology unveiled an app to provide real-time identity attribution; the Imprimerie Nationale Group and Gemalto have been awarded a multi-year contract to deliver an ePassport solution for Peru; Smartrac has obtained Common Criteria EAL6 certification for its Thailand production site.

SecureAuth has added behavioral biometrics to its adaptive authentication platform. So while already measuring multiple attributes about a user the system also know measure keystroke and mouse movements as well.

The use of smart cards for patient ID would curb almost a quarter of Medicare fraud cases, according to a report from the GAO. The agency reviewed 739 health care fraud cases that were resolved in 2010 to try and find out how these schemes were conducted and if smart cards would prevent the fraud.

Sharing passwords is a necessity at some points but as a rule is nod advised. LastPass surveyed users on trends in sharing passwords. Some 95% of those surveyed admit to sharing six passwords with other people. Typically the sharing is with a spouse or significant other and child – 76% and 26% respectively.

The World Wide Web Consortium announced new Web Authentication work based upon the member submission of FIDO 2.0 Web APIs from the FIDO Alliance; Zwipe released Zwipe ID, a card with fingerprint authentication capabilities targeted for the physical access control market; Synaptics announced a smaller fingerprint sensor.

Biometric exit in the U.S. has not been an easy task. Commonly criticized by Congress and the GAO for its slow progress, Homeland Security has a new set of pilots underway to try and use advanced identification technology to track departing travelers.

Gemalto and Symbiont are working together to enable financial services organizations to securely execute smart contracts and other blockchain-based transactions; the GSA has tapped CertiPath’s TrustMonitor to ensure the health of its identity issuance systems and the health of the other participants in the federal trust fabric.

Goode Intelligence has identified key trends in its Biometrics for Financial Services analyst report, including biometric ATMs, mobile payments and others.

The Smart Card Alliance opened the National Center for Advanced Payments and Identity Security, a new training center in Crystal City, Va.; Gemalto was selected by Gabon’s Department of Homeland Security to supply and implement a border and visa management system.

The underlying technology behind contactless smart cards hasn’t changed, but that does not mean manufacturers or their offerings have stagnated. Two of the biggest changes in contactless smart card technology are the speed of the chips and the memory capacity.