The BAL Authenticator™ Smart Card
BAL's self-authenticating Smart Card combines a standard ISO 7816 smart card with a built-in fingerprint recognition system to provide exceptionally strong user authentication when performing typical smart card functions such as accessing computers, facilities, networks, applications, protected data bases, establishing secure communication channels or authorizing electronic transactions, and assuring privacy of all data stored on the card. One's unique fingerprints offer a reliable and inexpensive means of biometrically authenticating your identity far more securely than using a personal identification number (PIN) or a password. By linking the user directly to the transaction process through their fingerprint, the cardholder's identity is confirmed beyond repudiation; that they are not just someone who happens to know the card's assigned PIN or Password.
BAL Technology
Originally designed for the intelligence community, the card's biometric sensor is completely contained in a self-authenticating subsystem. It does not require the use of any external sensors, algorithms, template matches or database access. BAL employs a third generation capacitive array sensor chip that detects and captures small variations in finger surface capacitance and creates a three-dimensional electrical image of the fingerprint's unique pattern. The unique features of the image are extracted to forma template which is then stored into protected memory in the module. This entire operation is completed on the card. Upon completion of the enrollment process, the module is "locked" and subsequent placement of any finger on the sensor triggers the verification process. This involves comparing the previously stored "registered" template with the current finger. With the BAL Authenticator™ Smart Card, if the result matches, the person holding the card (not just someone who happens to know the PIN) is verified as it's authorized user.
Biometrically Enabled PKI for Logical & Physical Access Control
The BAL Biometric Smart Card has been designed for use in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) deployments, such as depicted to the left, to achieve integrated logical and facility access control in a centrally manageable and unified system; not independent and parallel installations as the case today.
Other Typical Applications
The BAL Biometric Smart Card is well suited to a wide variety of applications requiring assured authentication of the authorized user. These include electronic payment authorization, network access, facility entry, identity cards, and access to patient medical records.
The BAL Enrollment Station™
The BAL Enrollment Station is easy to use and can enroll a user with a minimum of operator training. It is designed to be integrated with third-party master Card Issuance and Personalization Systems. The Enrollment Station can be locatedand administered separately from the access control center(s) and gatehouse(s). Privacy is enhanced because the fingerprint images and templates areonly available from the cardduring enrollment by the issuing authority. Fingerprints may be obtained from the cardduring enrollment so that they can be checked against a standard AFIS database of prints if a formal credentialing process is employed. Such checks are used to ensure that the issued card matchesthe existing employee prints or arenot those on a "hot list" of proscribed persons. A cardrecycle feature is also provided so that the organization can reissue the card to another person, for example a "visitor access card." During recycling all user data, fingerprint templates and cryptographic keys are removed (electronically "wiped") from the card. It can not be used again until someone is re-enrolled and separately activated with system access privileges.
About Biometric Associates
Biometric Associates, LP is a unique developer, manufacturer, and integrator of authentication and identity systems that have been specifically designed to provide a high level of security and privacy protection. BAL systems, including related cryptographic, PKI and RFID implementations, provide assured user confirmation. They can be integrated into Bluetooth smart card readers, RFID Contactless cards, biometric USB thumb drives, Internet authentication servers and electronic monitoring systems, as well as other logical and physical access control applications.
BAL technical staffs are experienced wireless communications protocol specialists, application programmers, electrical engineers, and cryptography experts. The Company has offices in Maine and in the Washington, DC area.