Monday, November 18, 2002
New Biometric-Enabled Linux Device
Posted by Brad Adrian in "HARDWARE" @ 06:58 PM
http://www.linuxdevices.com/articles/AT7145548309.html
IBM and Consumer Direct Link have teamed up to produce a new Linux-based PDA, the Paron MPC. The new device combines typical PDA functionality with a Bluetooth chip, GSM/GPRS and biometric fingerprint recognition.
Of course, we're all familiar with the concept of using a fingerprint scanner in order to control access to a device or notebook PC. However, the developers of the Paron MPC foresee using the built-in scanner in a different way:
"One expected application for the Paron is in authenticating employee access to offices, government facilities, manufacturing sites, or warehouses. Instead of swiping a badge through a reader, the employee would place his/her thumb on the Paron's small fingerprint recognition screen, and a wirelessly connected server would read the fingerprint, identify the person, and grant access if a match is found between the person making the request and the data in the server."
Okay, that's an interesting idea; you simply use your PDA instead of a scanner that's bolted onto the wall next to a security door. But, am I the only one who sees a tremendous flaw in this setup? Why use a wireless technology that in itself introduces a security risk as a means to enhance security?
The PDA's specs are interesting enough, and I think there may even be a market for devices that incorporate fingerprint scanners as a means to control access to the device's contents. But it seems like some of the technologies are a bit mismatched on this one.
IBM and Consumer Direct Link have teamed up to produce a new Linux-based PDA, the Paron MPC. The new device combines typical PDA functionality with a Bluetooth chip, GSM/GPRS and biometric fingerprint recognition.
Of course, we're all familiar with the concept of using a fingerprint scanner in order to control access to a device or notebook PC. However, the developers of the Paron MPC foresee using the built-in scanner in a different way:
"One expected application for the Paron is in authenticating employee access to offices, government facilities, manufacturing sites, or warehouses. Instead of swiping a badge through a reader, the employee would place his/her thumb on the Paron's small fingerprint recognition screen, and a wirelessly connected server would read the fingerprint, identify the person, and grant access if a match is found between the person making the request and the data in the server."
Okay, that's an interesting idea; you simply use your PDA instead of a scanner that's bolted onto the wall next to a security door. But, am I the only one who sees a tremendous flaw in this setup? Why use a wireless technology that in itself introduces a security risk as a means to enhance security?
The PDA's specs are interesting enough, and I think there may even be a market for devices that incorporate fingerprint scanners as a means to control access to the device's contents. But it seems like some of the technologies are a bit mismatched on this one.
