UPEK announces US government-certified fingerprint module

In June this year UPEK announced that its fingerprint sensor technology would be incorporated into 2009 model notebook PCs. Now the company has released its new TCEFx1 USB fingerprint module, which uses the only silicon-based fingerprint sensor certified by the FBI for US government applications.

UPEK’s FIPS 201 certified TouchChip TCS1 fingerprint sensor forms part of the compact TCEFx1. The module is simple to integrate and allows for biometric authentication with ANSI 378 fingerprint templates stored on US Government issued Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards. HSPD (Homeland Security Presidential Directive)-12 and FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) 201 were created following the events of 9/11 to strengthen security at US government agencies by demanding that all staff and contractors be issued new identity cards with fingerprint template data for stronger user authentication. UPEK’s TouchChip fingerprint sensor is the only silicon fingerprint sensor certified by the FBI and the GSA for use in FIPS 201 applications including physical and logical access control.

Dell recently launched its first government-focused notebooks equipped with the TCEFx1 fingerprint module and a PIV-compliant smart card reader. The system requires 3-factor authentication with users supplying what they have (a PIV card), what they know (a 6-digit personal PIN) and who they are (their fingerprint). The Dell Latitude E6500, Precision M4400 and Precision M6400 offer government agencies a complete endpoint solution for complying with security standards.

The TCEFx1 offers additional security by adding a low profile finger guide, on-board memory for sensor calibration data, a USB controller and other features that deliver a self-contained USB module that can easily be integrated into devices including notebooks, keyboards, smartcard readers, mobile ID terminals and access control devices, where demand for certified fingerprint sensors is growing.