Around The Web

INFORMATION WEEK
BlackBerrys Can Replace Eyeballs For Security Scans
RIM has revealed that certain of its smartphones are compatible with the IrisAccess retinal scanning system, allowing users to forgo an actual eye scan, tapping their device to the scanner instead. The technology is promoted as a convenience to users, although spokespersons have not commented on the virtues of subverting the biometric authentication process

GCN
DARPA: Dump Passwords For Always-On Biometrics
Citing the difficulties inherent in long, complicated passwords, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has stated its intention to switch to behavior-based biometrics. Rather than rely on intermittent logins, the agency is looking at sophisticated always-on methods like mouse-moving patterns and patterns and speed of typing

CSO
Auraya's ArmorVox Delivers Voice Authentication From The Cloud
Auraya, an Australian company, claims to have overcome many of the shortcomings of voice-based biometrics and created a product that will successfully verify 95% of users. The process takes little training, unlike previous attempts at voice authentication. Additionally, the system records the voices of those it deems impostors and uses that voice imprint to identify future attempts at unauthorized access

INFORMATIONWEEK
Biometrics Shore Up Patient Data Security
In the interest of locking down patient information more tightly, New York's Saratoga hospital has rolled out a biometric authentication system for its network assets. The system requires a fingerprint scan as well as a four-digit PIN before allowing access to data

SC MAGAZINE
O'Neill Picks SafeNet's Authentication For Mobiles
Clothing brand O'Neill has adopted SafeNet and MobilePASS to create a more multilayed approach to its authentication process. The move is expected to provide two-factor authentication covering mobile devices and traditional endpoints

COMPUTERWORLD
How GSA Is Securing Its Cloud Apps
The General Services Administration (GSA) has been at the forefront of federal agencies in promoting two-factor authentication. As the Obama administration pushes to lower IT costs through cloud adoption, the GSA uses smartcards and passwords to strengthen their security

ZDNET
Passwords Are The Weakest Link In Enterprise In Security: Study
To the surprise of very few, poor password policies and practices are the overwhelming cause of compromised networks, according to the Trustwave 2012 Global Security Report. Weak administrative credentials in the form of sickeningly easy-to-guess passwords is still old news, alarming mainly because such old news is still topical

CNET
Fork Over Your Facebook Log-On Or You Don't Get Hired. What?
Lawmakers in Connecticut, Maryland and Illinois have stood up to make it illegal for employers to require employees to surrender their user IDs and passwords to Facebook. While the practice is noisome, there isn't strong evidence that it is as widespread as grandstanding politicians would have you believe

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