Fujitsu launches contactless palm vein authentication technology at Gartner Symposium

Fujitsu today announced the local launch of its contactless palm vein device for biometric authentication security, PalmSecure. PalmSecure offers advanced biometric authentication security that is significantly harder to breach than comparable technologies, while offering a more hygienic and user-friendly alternative to other hand and finger authentication technologies. PalmSecure will be demonstrated in Australia for the first time at the Gartner Symposium, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, 15-18 November 2005.

Martin North, General Manager, Fujitsu Consulting, said, “The launch of PalmSecure marks our entry into the enterprise security product market and is a great example of Fujitsu ‘Services Plus’ where we offer services plus world leading technology innovation

“Fujitsu recently expanded its Enterprise Security Practice to meet the huge demand for security and risk management solutions from the local market. We now offer a broad range of consulting services covering security strategy and planning, threat and risk assessment, change management, security architecture and design, incident response and event management, audit and review, training and awareness, as well as business continuity and disaster recovery,” said Martin North.

PalmSecure has been successful in Japan where it is being used in a number of areas including building accommodation, healthcare and financial services, including ATMs. In Australia, Fujitsu see an opportunity in the healthcare sector where contactless authentication technology is ideally placed for room access to pathology laboratories and health research facilities, where hygiene is paramount.

“Palm-based authentication has many strengths over finger-based technologies,” said Geoff Turk, Director of Enterprise Security, Fujitsu Consulting. “The palm, for example, carries 300 times more information than the finger, thereby providing a higher level of security. In addition, fingers are more prone to injury and conditions such as arthritis, which reduces the number of people for which finger scanning, whether fingerprint or finger vein authentication, is accessible. Furthermore, contact-based reader devices require constant cleaning to prevent replay attacks, whereas PalmSecure’s contactless nature removes this potential threat.”

Fujitsu plans to introduce a compact version of the device in 2006. Miniaturisation of the device will help further expand the market, and in the future Fujitsu will aim to incorporate the device in consumer products such as personal computers and mobile phones, as well as use in the automotive and home security industries.

PalmSecure will be demonstrated at the Fujitsu Stand (33 and 35) at Gartner Symposium, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, 15-18 November 2005. If you are interested in speaking to Geoff Turk, Director of Enterprise Security, Fujitsu Consulting, please contact Liz Greene on 02 9113 9252 to arrange an interview.