The world's smallest fingerprint template is the winner of the IEE Innovation in Engineering Security Award. TSSI's Verid+ fingerprint biometric solution for preventing identity fraud was commended by the judges for its remarkably small size and for its ability to enable new security applications. TSSI was also a finalist for the IEE IT Award category for its NHS smartcard system.
Based in Swindon, UK, TSSI is a world-class manufacturer of document verification, fingerprint biometrics and identification systems solutions.
Security Award winner
Verid+ uses a patented fingerprint algorithm that prevents identity fraud in access control systems. Standard access control systems can be open to identity impersonation through the use of other people's PIN numbers or the use of another person's card. By incorporating fingerprint biometrics, the Verid+ system enables people to verify their identity within a second, thus preventing identity fraud.
The judges commended the product's novel technology and highlighted its remarkably small storage footprint as its principal merit. This enables biometric information to be stored in very small formats such as a 2D bar code on a paper document, or the magnetic stripe of a plastic card, while still leaving room for other data.
A typical application is to verify the identity of a person presenting a document or ID card, or entering a PIN. The judges commented that it is the ideal solution for physical access control systems where biometric solutions requiring larger storage templates cannot be used.
IT Award finalist
TSSI was also a finalist for the IT Award with its NHS Occupational Health Smart Card Scheme (OHSC), which uses TSSI's smart card technology. Under the OHSC 'Fitness to Practise' programme, doctors' personal and health clearance data are consistently recorded on to secure and portable smart cards. This has enabled the NHS to streamline and standardise the administration procedures required to verify a doctor's identity and credentials to practise safely with their patients.
Each smart card displays the photograph and name of the doctor and holds their GMC or dental registration number and key clinical data accessible to authorised NHS trust staff through a secure "chip and PIN" process.
The OHSC scheme currently supports over 35,000 junior doctors, 250 Acute NHS trusts and links directly to the General Medical Council's UK-wide registration database. The scheme is jointly sponsored by the Department of Health and the newly-created NHS Employers, together with the NHS in Wales, and was developed in conjunction with TSSI.
"Identity fraud is of increasing concern in today's society," said Stewart Hefferman, Chief Operations Officer, TSSI Systems. "Our verification systems provide an innovative and affordable solution for secured access. We're extremely proud to win recognition for our identity verification technology from such a prestigious organisation as the IEE."
Hefferman continues, "Staff identity verification is often an onerous and costly administrative burden for large organisations. Our OHSC smart card scheme means the NHS can focus increased resources on patient healthcare instead of time-consuming administration. We are delighted that the IEE has commended the scheme as a finalist."
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