The Weekly Cypher is specially curated to keep you up-to-date on the latest in cybersecurity, biometrics, and related news and innovations. Here are a few of the headlines you might have missed this week.
Biometrics Creates Opportunities for Loyalty Programs in mPOS | PYMNTS
The combination of increasing consumer trust in biometrics and new biometric capabilities on smartphones could be the key to building mobile point of sale (mPOS) loyalty programs. With mPOS on the rise, biometrics-based payments are driving a more user-friendly checkout process. Some vendors believe linking user profiles with these payment methods would encourage brand loyalty and open new opportunities in recognizing customers as part of a seamless shopping experience. [Read More]
US State Department Calls for Stronger Cyber Deterrence Strategy | ZDNet
A recent report from the US State Department highlights a need to significant “rethink” the nation’s cyber deterrence strategy. It states that the country is too reliant on sophisticated networked information systems that rivals have learned how to exploit too easily. The State Department recommends creating a new policy regarding how the nation responds to cyber attacks, including building partnerships with other countries for intelligence sharing and threat attribution. [Read More]
US Homeland Security Deploying Facial Recognition at Border | The Verge
The US Department of Homeland Security announced that it will be launching a new facial recognition system at the US-Mexico border this summer. A pilot test will begin in August at the Anzalduas border crossing in Texas, operating for a full year to gather data and evaluate its effectiveness for border security. The cameras capture driver’s faces as they exit or enter the United States and compare those images to a national database. The pilot is part of the Customs and Border Protection agency’s Biometric Exit program. [Read More]
Biometric Security in Airports Showing Improvement | BiometricUpdate
The use of biometrics in air travel security has reached a turning point as more airports deploy biometric authentication for boarding and security gate processing. According to the Secure Journeys Working Group, a new installation in Orlando International Airport shows promise as one of the first truly dedicated effort to test and use biometrics by an airline. The group noted that the number of travelers choosing to opt-out of the new system has been “close to zero,” but it’s too soon to assess the system’s success. [Read More]
Consumer Trust in Biometrics Growing | BiometricUpdate
A recent survey of consumers regarding digital identity, personal information security, and authentication found that 54 percent of U.S. consumers consider biometrics more secure than any other authentication method. Furthermore, the study found an upward trend of concern over personal information security, and 57 percent of respondents said they prefer doing business with financial institutions that use more advanced authentication methods. [Read More]