Software digital rights management (DRM) and USB-based authentication solutions provider Aladdin Knowledge Systems has unveiled, what it says is the world's first biometric authentication technology based on cardiac patterns.
Aladdin presented a live demonstration of its new cardio-based biometric technology that provides authentication using a person's natural bio dynamic signature (BDSTM) - an electro bio-signature that is unique to each individual.
Unlike other biometric technologies that use fingerprints, pictures, or static bio-signals to identify a person, BDS is based on intrinsic human electro-biometric dynamic signals acquired by merely touching a small conductive surface. The signature is based on the electronic signals humans produce from their body, including the heart.
These bio dynamic signatures are as unique to an individual as fingerprints and retinal patterns, since no two people have the same BDS. Aladdin says this new category of cardio-based biometric solutions opens a new dimension in biometric technology and offers superior performance, cost and reliability. It is highly accurate, user friendly and difficult to deceive.
The device looks like a small computer mouse with two metal contacts. When touched for a few seconds - using one finger from each hand, to complete the circuit - the device measures several factors in heartbeats to record these "biodynamic signatures."
The company says the signature includes a combination of electrical signals from the heart and central nervous system. The sensors measure these signals, run them through an algorithm on a computer and create a digital representation of the signature. Aladdin says individual signatures can identify people more accurately than fingerprints, based on preliminary testing.
Aladdin officials say, that, because the signature includes both genetic and physiological components, it's not significantly altered by activity - a brisk walk up stairs or a cup of coffee, only a major medical event - a heart attack, for example - would throw the machine off.
"The market for strong authentication is set for tremendous growth over the coming years, and while biometric solutions are still in their infancy, we feel they will one day have broad acceptance," said Shlomi Yanai, vice president of the Aladdin eToken business unit.
Biometric-based authentication, which use unique body measurements to verify identity instead of - or in addition to - passwords, are a big business that is growing every year. An industry trade group pegs annual sales at $2.2 billion, and predicts they will hit $6 billion by 2010, as companies add biometric security to everything from ATMs to cell phones.
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