LAS VEGAS -- Cogneto, the pioneer of cognitive authentication, today announced a pre-licensing agreement with Cognitec Systems, the leading developer of facial recognition software, to integrate facial biometrics into UNOMI, Cogneto’s consensus-based risk adaptive authentication solution. By integrating this physical biometric into UNOMI, Cogneto is the first company to bring facial recognition to the online banking market.

Cogneto will offer facial recognition as an additional layer of authentication, increasing the security level for UNOMI users. Using their own webcams, users can receive a higher level of identity assurance for their online bank accounts. Cognitec’s software matches images of users with photos taken by UNOMI during the normal log-in process. This application will be integrated into UNOMI’s consensus model, which uses information from multiple factors to determine a user’s security and risk rating.

“By combining our facial recognition software with Cogneto’s innovative approach, retail banks will be able to offer a unique authentication solution to their users,” said Alfredo Herrera, CEO at Cognitec Systems. “This will add a new layer of confidence and security to the sign-in process.”

“With webcams now standard on many PCs, this is an easy way for banks to manage risk and increase the level of security on certain customer accounts,” said Ralph Scobie, CEO of Cogneto. “The integration of Cognitec’s facial recognition software into our multi-layered consensus approach to authentication marks a real first in online banking and we’re excited by its potential. This partnership builds on our aim of providing industry-leading secure risk-adaptive authentication in a convenient, intuitive and fun way.”

The integration of facial recognition into UNOMI allows for potential expansion of the product into ATMs and in-branch verification. Using an individual’s online photo verification records, a bank teller or ATM will have an additional method to accurately identify people and further avoid identity fraud.

The service will be offered as an optional addition to UNOMI and will be available in Q1 2007.

Cogneto