Wearable access technology

Issue 8 2020 Editor's Choice

HID Global has announced that its next-generation Seos credential technology will enable Nymi Band 3.0 users to seamlessly open doors and authenticate to systems, devices and machines. The Nymi Band is the world’s only workplace wearable wristband that, once authenticated, offers the convenience of continuously authenticating the identity of the user until it’s removed from the wrist. This delivers zero-trust security principles and access control using convenient fingerprint and heartbeat biometrics to users seeking touchless authentication.

“Wearables are increasingly popular authentication credentials for access to buildings, doors and assets, manufacturing systems with compliance traceability requirements, healthcare and defence markets and other hands-free applications where users may not be allowed to carry mobile devices, cards or fobs,” said Steve Currie, vice president and managing director of Extended Access Technologies at HID Global.

In addition to physical and logical access use cases, Seos technology enables the Nymi Band 3.0 to be used for applications ranging from secure, intelligent print collection, social distancing and contract tracing, to contractor and visitor management, canteen and vending machine payment, and secure remote working.

“HID Seos technology gives the Nymi Band 3.0 all the capabilities of a secure smartcard, including cryptography, that delivers superior data and privacy protection compared to other biometric and credential technologies,” said Chris Sullivan, CEO of Nymi. “We believe these capabilities will fuel even faster adoption for our wristbands, which are already seeing rapid uptake in applications like pharmaceutical manufacturing with an emphasis on privacy, security and a natural user experience.”

How it works

• The HID Seos applet is loaded onto secure elements (SEs) inside a Nymi Band so they can carry security keys and encrypted firmware.

• Seos credentials are sent to the wristbands over a Near Field Communications (NFC) connection.

• Users enrol their fingerprint one time to the Nymi Band and the Nymi Band is matched to the user identity.

• At the start of the workday, the user authenticates the band with their fingerprint, and the Nymi Band is enabled with strong assurance after it detects a heartbeat.

• Native support in HID DigitalPersona software also enables the wristbands to be used for Windows login with both Seos and FIDO 2 passwordless authentication.

• Seos credentials support HID Signo and iCLASS SE readers that are broadly deployed in every major vertical market around the world.

The Nymi Band provides strong assurance of an individual’s identity using their unique biometrics. Through On-Body Detection (OBD) and presence, the Nymi Band 3.0 ensures that it is always on the intended user and the user is physically present. The user’s biometrics never leave the Nymi Band 3.0, providing advanced security and privacy.


Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

CCTV control room operator job description
Leaderware Editor's Choice Surveillance Training & Education
Control room operators are still critical components of security operations and will remain so for the foreseeable future, despite the advances of AI, which serves as a vital enhancement to the human operator.

Read more...
A passport to offline backups
SMART Security Solutions Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Infrastructure Smart Home Automation
SMART Security Solutions tested a 6 TB WD My Passport and found it is much more than simply another portable hard drive when considering the free security software the company includes with the device.

Read more...
Navigating the complexities of privileged access management
Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management
Privileged Access Management and Identity Access Management are critical pillars of modern cybersecurity, designed to secure access to sensitive resources, enforce principles like least privilege, and implement just-in-time access controls.

Read more...
Rewriting the rules of reputation
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management
Public Relations is more crucial than ever in the generative AI and LLMs age. AI-driven search engines no longer just scan social media or reviews, they prioritise authoritative, editorial content.

Read more...
Efficient, future-proof estate security and management
Technews Publishing ElementC Solutions Duxbury Networking Fang Fences & Guards Secutel Technologies OneSpace Technologies DeepAlert SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice Information Security Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry) AI & Data Analytics IoT & Automation
In February this year, SMART Security Solutions travelled to Cape Town to experience the unbelievable experience of a city where potholes are fixed, and traffic lights work; and to host the Cape Town SMART Estate Security Conference 2025.

Read more...
Historic Collaboration cuts ATM Bombings by 30%
Online Intelligence Editor's Choice News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
Project Big-Bang, a collaborative industry-wide task team, has successfully reduced ATM bombings in South Africa by 30,7% during the predetermined measurement period of November, December and January 2024/5.

Read more...
World-first safe K9 training for drug detection
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Government and Parastatal (Industry)
The Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy recently announced the results of its scientific research into training dogs to accurately detect drugs and explosives without harming either the dogs or their handlers.

Read more...
The need for integrated control room displays
Leaderware Editor's Choice Surveillance Training & Education
Display walls provide a coordinated perspective that facilitates the ongoing feel for situations, assists in the coordination of resources to deal with the situation, and facilitates follow up by response personnel.

Read more...
Cyber top business risk as climate change hits record high
Editor's Choice
Globally, companies identify cyberattacks, particularly data breaches, as their primary business concern for the coming year, with business interruption ranked second. In Africa and the Middle East, cyber incidents, shifts in legislation and regulation, and macroeconomic developments are the three foremost business risks.

Read more...
As technology converges, so does cybercrime
Editor's Choice
Cybercrime is no longer siloed: it involves complex collaborations and coordination between different malicious entities, including state actors, organised crime and even drug and human trafficking networks.

Read more...