05 April, 2006
category: Biometrics, Corporate, Government
Saflink has announced a partnership with identity management solutions provider ImageWare Systems, allowing Saflink’s SureAccess to integrate with ImageWare’s secure identification software development kit. Through the partnership, organizations such as ports and airports will be able to use both solutions to implement and manage custom credentialing systems.
Comprehensive Offering Enables Organizations to Easily Deploy and Manage Changing Security Requirements Across Disparate Offices
Bellevue, WA–Saflink Corporation, a leading provider of solutions that verify identity, secure access and increase productivity, today announced a reciprocal reseller partnership with ImageWarer Systems Inc., a leading provider of identity management solutions.
Under terms of the agreement, Saflink SureAccessT, a contactless smart card and biometric reader, will be fully integrated with ImageWare IWST EPIT Builder, a secure identification software development kit (SDK), to enable organizations such as ports and airports to design, implement and manage custom credentialing systems. The flexible solution enables these these organizations to easily configure credentialing systems to meet security needs including stringent biometrically enabled physical access requirements.
“The ability to quickly increase security in credentialing frameworks across geographically dispersed locations is a must-have capability for organizations today, particularly in the government,” said Jim Miller, ImageWare chairman and CEO. “With that in mind, we’ve teamed with Saflink to create a flexible security framework that dramatically eases the administrative time and resources needed to upgrade security policies. With this offering, businesses can be sure that their existing security system will meet their requirements today and in the future.”
SureAccess is based on the same contactless smart card and biometric reader technology previously deployed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as part of Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Phase III. SureAccess allows businesses to deploy a standardized credential that enables workers to use a similar smart card technology to gain entry at multiple sites. ImageWare IWS EPI Builder is designed specifically for high-end credentialing applications, enabling software engineers, system integrators and OEMs to develop custom identification solutions or incorporate sophisticated identification capabilities such as image and biometric capture to the enrollment, issuance and management of secure credentials into existing security systems. Together, SureAccess and IWS EPI Builder will allow businesses to easily create customized credentialing systems based on unique security needs.
“Our strategy is to forge relationships with complementary vendors, such as ImageWare, that allow us to more readily help businesses and government organizations address their security requirements,” said Glenn Argenbright, Saflink CEO. “By partnering with ImageWare, we can take advantage of the fact that IWS EPI Builder is such a widely deployed and familiar toolkit thattoolkit that will enable organizations to incorporate advancements in strong authentication technology into their physical access security infrastructure without the burden of having to familiarize themselves with a new SDK.”
SureAccess is designed to meet the strict requirements of the National Institute of Standards and Technologies’ (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201, also known as Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of federal employees and contractors. Designed for interoperability and remote administration, the SureAccess product easily integrates with many existing physical access control systems. In addition, Saflink has plans to integrate its SureAccess product with a complementary solution from ImageWare that will support the technical specifications of FIPS 201.
About ImageWare Systems, Inc.
ImageWare Systems, Inc. is a leading developer and provider of identity management solutions, providing biometric, secure credential, law enforcement and digital imaging technologies. Scalable for worldwide deployment, the Company’s biometric product line includes a multi-biometric engine that is hardware and algorithm independent, enabling the enrollment and management of unlimited population sizes. ImageWare’s identification products are used to manage and issue secure credentials including national IDs, passports, driver licenses, smart cards and access control credentials. ImageWare’s digital booking products provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, fingerprint Livescan and investigative capabilities. The Company also provides comprehensive digital workflow solutions for the professional photography industry. ImageWare is headquartered in San Diego, with offices in Washington DC and Canada. For more information visit www.iwsinc.com.
About Saflink
Saflink Corporation offers biometric security and smart card solutions that protect intellectual property, secure information assets and eliminate passwords. Saflink identity assurance management solutions allow administrators to verify identity and control access to computer networks, physical facilities and applications. Winner of seven awards in 2005, Saflink and its solutions have been recognized by organizations such as Frost & Sullivan and Software Magazine’s Software 500. For more information, please visit www.saflink.com or call 800-762-9595.
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