FIDO certifies Safran’s biometric authentication solutions for eID (electronic ID) cards
Safran Identity and Security is developing solutions with FIDO which combine convenience and protection of citizen privacy
Posted on 09.13.16
Safran Identity & Security, the world leader in security and identity solutions, announced today that FIDO* (Fast Identity Online) Alliance has certified its solution enabling biometric authentication through electronic ID (eID) cards.
Safran Identity & Security helps governments offer more secure access to public or private e-services to their citizens by providing eID cards compliant with the FIDO standard. Citizens can use their eID card to locally store authentication information, thus reinforcing personal data protection. This solution also enables password-free authentication with any FIDO compliant merchant or eService provider on any NFC-enabled phones or tablets.
The eID cards contain a chip which enables the card to store information in addition to what is already printed on the card, such a biometric data. Chile and Germany for example have already implemented this type of card. In certain countries, citizens can use their eIDs to access health services, pay taxes or even vote on line.
The user authentication is based on facial recognition, through a “selfie” which is then sent to the contactless electronic Identity card using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. A “Match on Card” algorithm matches the selfie against the user photo inside the electronic ID card, enabling users to forego the use of passwords.
Safran Identity & Security is the first to offer governments a secure authentication solution on eID cards which is easy to use and safeguards personal data. With this solution, data is stored locally on the card and remains in the hands of the user, reinforcing privacy protection. In January 2016, FIDO certified Safran’s mobile biometric authentication solution.
*FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance, www.fidoalliance.org, was formed in July 2012 to address the lack of interoperability among strong authentication technologies, and remedy the problems users face with creating and remembering multiple usernames and passwords. FIDO Alliance is changing the nature of authentication with standards for simpler, stronger authentication that define an open, scalable, interoperable set of mechanisms that reduce reliance on passwords. FIDO authentication is stronger, private, and easier to use when authenticating to online services.
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About IDEMIA - OT-Morpho is now IDEMIA, the global leader in Augmented Identity for an increasingly digital world, with the ambition to empower citizens and consumers alike to interact, pay, connect, travel and vote in ways that are now possible in a connected environment.
Securing our identity has become mission critical in the world we live in today. By standing for Augmented Identity, we reinvent the way we think, produce, use and protect this asset, whether for individuals or for objects. We ensure privacy and trust as well as guarantee secure, authenticated and verifiable transactions for international clients from Financial, Telecom, Identity, Public Security and IoT sectors.
OT (Oberthur Technologies) and Safran Identity & Security (Morpho) have joined forces to form IDEMIA. With close to $3 billion in revenues and 14,000 employees around the world, IDEMIA serves clients in 180 countries.For more information, head to www.idemia.com. And follow us @IdemiaGroup on Twitter.
