New Method of Biometric Identification

Vienna, Austria (5.8.2009) – BGS Smartcard Systems AG in cooperation with NET1 U.E.P.S Technologies Inc. have developed and implemented an innovative biometric identification method.

During operations at POS terminals, self-service kiosks and ATMs, this method provides a speedy, secure, and reliable identification of cardholders via automated fingerprint recognition. The biometric security system provides a higher level of protection and a more convenient method of cardholder authentication than the conventional PIN-based system. In order to authenticate a cardholder through biometric identification, the cardholder simply puts his finger on a biometric scanner which then converts the fingerprint image to a digital code (template) and compares it with a set of this cardholder’s templates loaded onto the card during the personalization process. This added functionality is available with new-generation Java cards that possess larger memory capacity that allows the storage of up to 10 cardholder’s fingerprint templates on one card, besides a payment applet and other non-banking applications.

At the cardholder’s will, a so-called “alarm finger” can be recorded onto his card. It helps prevent financial losses when the cardholder is illegally forced to withdraw cash from the card by setting a maximum amount of money that can be withdrawn once that “alarm finger” is used at a biometric scanner.
In order to provide a seamless client card servicing, the system still contains a conventional method of identifying cardholders via PINs that can be used at POS terminals and ATMs without biometric scanners.

This product feature allows BGS Smartcard Systems to offer its clients a very convenient and fast user identification method while providing the highest level of protection against unauthorized card usage. The biometric identification technology can be especially useful in social distribution projects in which it is important to simplify the transaction interface for social cardholders and to guarantee a secure and dedicated distribution of grants, pensions and other social benefits to those cardholders that are entitled to receive these services.