http://www.biometricwatch.com/BW_34_October_2006/BW_34.htm

Cross Match Announces New Products

Cross Match Technologies, Inc., announced the Guardian R™, the Guardian multi-modal Jumpkit, and Guardian FAST at the 2006 Biometrics Consortium conference held in September. These new products and solutions are enhanced versions of Cross Match’s recently launched ten-print live scan hardware and software system, the Guardian,  providing added features and functionality to address the stringent requirements of the U.S. military and able to perform in harsh and remote environments. 

Guardian R™ is an enhanced version of Cross Match’s Guardian fingerprint capture device that is ruggedized for the military and sealed in an ingress protection IP66 metal casing so it can work in wet and dusty conditions. In addition, it has an integrated light filter so it can be used outdoors. Cross Match developed the metal casing and light filter for the U.S. military and expects it will see a significant demand for the device from various military branches given its ability to be used in harsh environments and extreme weather conditions.

Cross Match also developed a Guardian based multi-modal Jumpkit, that includes all the functionality of its original military Jumpkit products, including fingerprint image capture, latent image capture, facial image capture, document scanning, voice recording, iris capture, and GPS recording, with the ability to run off an integral military battery. Optionally, the Jumpkit may support a Mobile AFIS in the field. The new Guardian multi-modal Jumpkit device is 30 percent smaller than the original Jumpkit and weighs five pounds less. As such, it is the smallest, lightest, rugged multi-modal biometric capture device available on the market today capable of FBI compliant image quality specifications and meeting the military’s unique multi-modal capture requirements.

To round out its Guardian suite, Cross Match also developed Guardian FAST (Fast Autocapture of Slaps and Thumbs), a sophisticated software middleware package that enables system integrators to add fingerprint capture biometrics to their software applications without prior knowledge of biometrics. Developed to meet the requirements of a joint agency user group, Guardian FAST is quick and easy to implement and delivers a forensic quality digital fingerprint plain impression or conventional rolls EFT record in just seconds. FAST includes a comprehensive toolkit for creating skins for the biometric capture, allowing integrators to implement fingerprint capture in their application with a seamless look and feel. FAST performs the fastest auto capture, segmentation, NFIQ image quality scoring and EFT formatting function in the biometric industry.

Bangkok International Airport

Cross Match Technologies announced it will deliver over 200 AUTHENTICATOR 200 passport readers to heighten security at the new international airport in Bangkok, Thailand. This sophisticated device is equipped with an integrated RFID reader, which enables the AUTHENTICATOR 200 to read information stored on the RFID chips integrated in e-passports to validate the accuracy of the information prior to allowing a passenger through security. The device supports the latest developments in the field of e-Passports including Basic Access Control, as well as Active and Passive Authentication. Upon project completion, all immigration counters at the airport will be equipped with the document reader devices.

To ensure the document readers will work effectively in the new airport, the Bangkok-based systems integrator in charge of the project, CDG Systems Limited (CDG), and Cross Match Technologies’ local partner, Bio Engineering Company Limited (BEC), conducted two trial runs with the devices. The first trial run was conducted in July 2006 in the presence of the Prime Minister of Thailand, and the second was conducted in August 2006 at the Suvarnabhumi airport immigration counter. Cross Match provided the AUTHENTICATOR 200 devices with Software Development Kits, while the software used at the immigration counters was developed by CDG. In addition, BEC developed the software that runs on the fully equipped AUTHENTICATOR 200 units in the immigration office, which are used to check passports more thoroughly in cases where the officers suspect the travel document may be forged. The official opening of the new Bangkok international airport took place on September 28, 2006.

As the first Asian country to officially issue ICAO compliant e-passports to its citizens, Thailand leads the way in applying biometrics in border security applications in Asia. Beyond providing document reader devices to the new Bangkok international airport, Cross Match also previously worked with BEC on a project to equip Chan Wanich Security Printing Company Ltd, the organization who prints the Thai e-passports, with 40 of its passport readers for quality assurance of the Thai e-passport

Elaine Dezenski

Cross Match Technologies, Inc., announced the appointment of Elaine Dezenski as senior vice president of Global Government Affairs.  As head of the Washington , DC office, Ms. Dezenski will be a key leader in the company’s efforts to translate government policies and requirements into solutions that advance biometrics as part of a broader, more effective approach to identity management and security.  She will work closely with customers and government officials to help ensure that Cross Match continues its leadership role in the biometrics industry.  Ms. Dezenski will also oversee the company’s relationships with the European Union and its constituent members, furthering the company’s role as a global leader in biometrics solutions.

Prior to joining Cross Match, Ms. Dezenski completed nearly four years of service with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, most recently serving as the acting assistant secretary for policy development within the newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Policy.  Ms. Dezenski led policy initiatives in the areas of credentialing, screening, international negotiations with the EU and Canada , and supply chain security.  She also advised DHS leadership on transportation security, and immigration policy, and routinely testified before Congress on a range of homeland security issues. 

Ms. Dezenski also has served as an assistant secretary for policy and planning within the Border and Transportation Security (BTS) Directorate of the DHS, and as director of maritime, land, and cargo policy at the Transportation Security Administration.  Before joining DHS, Ms. Dezenski was special assistant to the administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.  She began her career with the Transportation Division of Siemens Corporation.

Ms. Dezenski holds a masters degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelors degree in International Relations from Wheaton College in Norton , Massachusetts .  Ms. Dezenski currently serves on the National Board of the Women’s Transportation Seminar, a non-profit dedicated to advancing women in transportation.