CHANHASSEN, Minn. and WALL, N.J. , Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- BIO-key International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BKYI), a leader in finger-based biometric identification and wireless public safety solutions, and its partner Sig-Tec, a leader in identity and access management software solutions, announced today the successful deployment of a fingerprint biometrics-based identity and access management system at the Mahoning County (OH) Sheriff's Office. The Mahoning agency is one of the first in the nation to use fingerprint biometrics instead of passwords to secure computer workstations and the software applications and databases that reside on them.
With Sig-Tec's identity and access management (IdAM) software solution for Strong Authentication and password management (AppStarter Single Sign On) integrated with BIO-key's Vector Segment Technology(TM) (VST) toolset, for fingerprint biometrics capture and verification, authorized staff can now access the Mahoning County Sheriff's office network and applications quickly and securely with the touch of their finger.
Administrators faced with the challenge of reducing IT costs are utilizing the partnership's biometric solution to reduce help desk workload, eliminating the need to handle forgotten passwords and password resets. Additionally, this solution is more secure than conventional passwords and is preferred by users since it is more convenient than managing a multitude of complex passwords that require constant change in order to satisfy IT security requirements. Biometric authentication also removes the possibility of passwords being inappropriately shared, forgotten or stolen.
In the first deployment phase, the enhanced authentication process will be used within Mahoning County's correctional facilities, where secure access to systems and data is especially critical. More than 300 enrolled correctional officers and civilian staff now use fingerprint-based log on to access any workstation within the complex that encompasses thirteen buildings.
"The solution was amazingly quick to install and configure," reported Charles Van Dyke , Deputy Officer. "Sig-Tec's project management and support team led by Paul Kobs , together with my staff, completed the job remotely within about eight hours."
Sig-Tec's Single Private Desktop (SPD) and AppStarter software products secure the workstation and allow for biometric authentication for network and application access. The biometric credentials are captured at enrollment with BIO-key's patented VST identification software. Because VST stores each user's fingerprint as a mathematical template, the user's fingerprint image isn't stored on any computer or in any database -- further protecting security as well as privacy. The end-user simply puts their finger on the KSI keyboard with an integrated UPEK biometric fingerprint reader for access into both the network and authorized applications at any workstation throughout the facility.
"In addition to increased security and improved workflow, another benefit of this solution is that it will reduce password management and password reset support calls by over 90%," said Sig-Tec's National Sales Manager, John McGuire .
"The requirement to address the ever growing need to secure the network and the desktop for both the safety of the employees and the organization is critical to every entity," added Michael DePasquale , Bio-key's Chief Executive Officer. "Implementing Sig-Tec's solution not only meets these requirements while reducing operational costs, but also addresses compliance with regulations such as FIPS 201 credentialing, FFIEC compliance, HIPAA, Sarbanes Oxley, Visa PCI, and the Electronic Signatures Act."
About Sig-Tec Software
Sig-Tec Software headquartered in Minneapolis, MN , develops and manufacturers Identity and Access Management software solutions that raises the standard for performance in today's IdAM market. Sig-Tec's philosophy in building software solutions acknowledges every customers expectations for a fundamental and reliable solution that is flexible, easy to implement, use and manage. Sig-Tec's most popular products are "AppStarter" Single Sign On and "SPD" for Strong Authentication. These software solutions make addressing strong passwords and password management fast, simple, and inexpensive for any organization by easily installing in the existing infrastructure in days, not months. Sig-Tec's identity and access management software has been carefully developed with extensive research with Chief Medical Officers, Chief Information Officers, Chief Security Officers, Directors of IT security, network administrators, security analysts and many other industry experts. For additional information on Sig-Tec please visit http://www.sig-tec.com or email [email protected].
About BIO-key
BIO-key International, Inc., headquartered in Wall, New Jersey , develops and delivers advanced identification solutions and information services to law enforcement departments, public safety agencies, government and private sector customers. BIO-key's mobile wireless technology provides first responders with critical, reliable, real-time data and images from local, state and national databases. BIO-key's high performance, scalable, cost-effective and easy-to-deploy biometric finger identification technology accurately identifies and authenticates users of wireless and enterprise data to improve security, convenience and privacy and to reduce identity theft. Over 750 police departments in North America use BIO-key solutions, making BIO-key the leading supplier of mobile and wireless solutions for law enforcement. (http://www.bio-key.com)
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected on the basis of these statements. The words "estimate," "project," "intends," "expects," "believes" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward- looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For a more complete description of these and other risk factors that may affect the future performance of BIO-key International, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company also undertakes no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Media Contact: BIO-key International, Inc.
Bud Yanak 732-359-1113SOURCE BIO-key International, Inc.
