BioconX's biometric security solution protects systems and applications by authenticating workers and may now be leased through the company's network of VARs.

by Wayne Kawamoto [November 1, 2001]

BioconX, Inc., a developer of network security software that applies biometrics to protect a firm's network and applications, announced a leasing program that's available through the company's value-added resellers (VARs).

The company claims that ISPs who want to improve their network security and replace passwords with enterprise-wide single sign-on can lease BioconX software with biometric hardware for about $5.00 per user per month.

BioconX security software applies biometrics, the technology of authenticating individual identity from unique personal characteristics, to replace passwords. Biometrics are derived from physiological characteristics that can include fingerprints, hand silhouettes, facial geometry, the color pattern in the iris of the eye, and the blood vessel pattern in retina of the eye.

A biometric template is unique to the individual from whom it is created. Unlike a password, PIN, or smart card, it cannot be forgotten, misplaced, lost, or stolen. As a result, biometrics promise that a person attempting to access a computer system is really an authorized user, and not someone who stole a smart card or found a password on a note under a mouse pad (of course, if storage systems are not secure and someone steals the digital file containing the biometrics, the biometric system is no longer secure).

All biometrics use a four-step process. First, a sample biometric (for instance, a fingerprint) is captured for each user. Second, key features from the sample are extracted from the sample. Third, an encrypted comparison template is created that stores a mathematical model of the key features in digital form. Finally, the biometrics software automates the matching of an individual's biometric to that of the stored comparison template.

According to BioconX, its software streamlines, simplifies, and strengthens access control by centralizing all users' biometric templates and system authorization profiles, and authenticating the identity of users by comparing their fingerprint or the iris of their eye against all stored templates. It then instantly enables users to access all servers and applications for which they have authorization with one single, simple, and secure biometric sign-on.

BioconX is designed to support major operating systems, work with leading biometric devices, and apply biometric security enterprise-wide from the network level to applications themselves—without requiring any modification of application source code. Step-by-step instructions in the software's administration tool set should help guide IT professionals through the process of creating users and application groups. BioconX also embeds network administration tools so ISPs can control their networks and distribute applications as well as manage security.

BioconX integrates network management into its administration tool set, which may make it easy to use to handle basic tasks like importing and synchronizing network accounts. All components of BioconX software log entries to a central logging database. And all entries are time and date stamped and identify the workstation for each log entry. This way, firms have the ability to audit system utilization and produce reports on demand. BioconX software can also biometrically secure Web sites that currently requires user names or passwords. This feature may provide ISPs with an effective option to authenticate user identity and increase Web site security to protect sensitive e-commerce transactions.

"The BioconX leasing program is unique and gives us a competitive edge," says Gregory Francis, president, Korchek Technologies, a healthcare IT consulting firm and BioconX VAR. "For as little as $5.00 a month per user, our customers can deploy BioconX software with supported biometric input devices to secure their IT defenses and achieve $10 or even $15 in monthly productivity savings for each user."

"IT executives have to contend with recently intensified demands for heightened security, but in today's tough economic climate their budgets are being frozen or cut," says Dick Musser, vice president of sales, BioconX. "With our new leasing program, our VARs can offer an affordable way for companies to implement strong biometric authentication to defend their networks and applications right now."

Availability and pricing
Available now, BioconX prices are based on a per user license, and start at around $5 per month.

Each user gets one license and there is no additional or separate charge for server software. Volume discounts begin with ten licenses.

The BioconX leasing program is offered through the BioconX Secure Solutions Network of VARs. BioconX VAR partners include:

• Bionet (Minneapolis, Minn.)
• Biometric Technology, Inc. (Tacoma, Wash.)
• Colosseum Online, Inc. (North York, Ontario)
• Integration Technologies, Inc. (Newport Beach, Calif.)
• Korchek Technologies (Trumbull, Conn.)
• Phoenix Consulting (Madison, Wis.)

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