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In the palm of your hand

Fujitsu announced the general availability of authentication solutions based on its PalmSecure technology, which uses individuals’ unique palm vein patterns to combat identity fraud. With Fujitsu PalmSecure, a contactless scan of the palm vein pattern of a user’s hand is enough to confirm their identity, using biometrics that are more secure, harder to defraud and easier to use than traditional authentication methods, such as chip & PIN. Fujitsu PalmSecure was introduced at CeBIT, in Hanover, Germany.

Fraudulent use of electronic authentication technology such as chip and PIN is a multi-million dollar problem for banks and government agencies worldwide. By adopting Fujitsu PalmSecure, which reads an individual’s unique pattern of oxygen-depleted veins on the palm of their hand, users can be authenticated in seconds, simply by holding their hand over a sensor.

Fujitsu PalmSecure is a robust and scalable enterprise solution that is easily adapted to a wide variety of applications in vertical industries. Based on its heritage in developing ICT infrastructures, combined with the strength of its global services organisation, Fujitsu is already in discussions with organisations considering the introduction of PalmSecure for industries ranging from aviation – where it could be used to replace boarding cards – to entertainment and retail. Client software and technical support services are also included in each solution.

“PalmSecure is a proof point of Fujitsu’s increasing focus on end-to-end technology solutions designed to solve real-world problems, and is already tried, tested and proven to combat identity fraud. In the future, as companies of all sizes rely ever more heavily on technology innovation to run their business, solutions like Fujitsu PalmSecure will provide early adopters with a huge competitive advantage in the market,” said Dr Joseph Reger, CTO, Fujitsu Technology Solutions.

In December 2012, the major European commercial banking group UniCredit carried out the first of a series of proof-of-concept tests of its Papillon payment system which is based on Fujitsu PalmSecure technology. Fujitsu provided the sensor which captures the payer’s vein pattern data, a Solution Development Kit enabling UniCredit to independently develop its bespoke application and solution, plus project support. UniCredit plans to gradually introduce Papillon, primarily as a mobile payment mechanism and to complement other payment methods.

Fujitsu PalmSecure is available in Central Europe, Middle East, Africa and India as a tailored security solution direct from Fujitsu. Price varies depending on component configuration and related services required.

How it works

Fujitsu PalmSecure scans the unique pattern of veins within the palm. As veins are internal in the body and have a wealth of differentiating features resulting in high levels of certainty, attempts to forge an identity are virtually impossible. Featuring authentication accuracy with extremely low false rates, the non-intrusive and contactless reader device provides ease of use with virtually no physiological restriction for any and all users. The no-touch sensor also helps prevent the spread of germs and diseases, which are mostly transmitted by hand.

The PalmSecure Palm Vein Unit emits near-infrared rays that are absorbed by deoxidised haemoglobin present in blood flowing through the patient’s palm veins. A proprietary algorithm takes this image, converts it into a digitised biometric template, and then matches it against a database of pre-registered templates. lf a perfect match is found, identity is verified.

Relevant applications

* Aircraft industry: physical access to aircraft.

* Airports: facility access control solutions.

* Automotive: antitheft, access to services.

* Banks: ATM withdrawals, IT infrastructure log in, online banking.

* Data centre: sealed infrastructure, access control.

* Enterprises: IT infrastructure log in and single sign in, physical access control, time & attendance.

* Entertainment: casino access control, gym access control, cruise ship access control.

* Government: patient authentication, social security, national ID card, tax treatment.

* Industrial: physical access control, time and attendance.

* Retail: cash register control and access, cashless payment.

* Cloud: Secured cloud access.

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