Ten Things You Should Know About Biometric Authentication

In today’s digital age, security is more important than ever. Biometric authentication is the vanguard of these security measures, ensuring seamless and secure identity verification. But what exactly is biometric authentication, and how does it work? Here are ten things you need to know:

  1. What is Biometric Authentication?
    Biometric authentication refers to a secure identification process that leverages a person’s unique biological characteristics to grant access to systems, applications, buildings, approve a transaction, and more. Unlike traditional passwords, biometric markers cannot be easily synthesized.
  2. NEC’s Leadership in Biometric Solutions:
    NEC has pioneered the world of biometric authentication for decades. Their innovative technologies, especially facial recognition, have set industry standards, making them a global leader.
  3. Beyond Passwords:
    Traditional authentication methods, such as username and password combinations, have become vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Biometric authentication, backed by companies like NEC, offers a robust security layer, challenging hackers and ensuring user data safety.
  4. How Does It Work?
    Biometric authentication systems capture and store a user’s unique biological attributes from fingerprints, face, vein, voice, or iris. When access is attempted, the system uses user’s biometric data as input, extracts attributes and compares it with the stored information to verify identity.
  5. Different Types of Biometric Authentication:
    There is a wide array of biometric methods, from fingerprint recognition to voice patterns. NEC has extensively researched and developed solutions for many, including facial recognition, iris scanning, and more.
  6. The Uniqueness of Biometrics:
    Biometric data is inherently unique to every individual. This ensures that even if data from one person is compromised, it cannot be used to imitate or access another person’s data.
  7. Is Biometric Data Secure?
    Companies like NEC ensure that the biometric data, once scanned, is converted into mathematical representations, not raw images. While usable for authentication, this data cannot be reverse-engineered to recreate the original input.
  8. Benefits Over Traditional Methods:
    Biometric authentication is not just secure; it is also convenient. Forget the hassle of remembering passwords or carrying key cards. Your unique biological traits are always with you.
  9. The Future is Here:
    Biometric authentication, once a sci-fi concept, is now a reality, and its adoption is rapidly growing. NEC’s advancements, especially during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the technology’s adaptability and importance.
  10. Global Adoption:
    Governments, corporations, and institutions worldwide trust biometric solutions. As they offer enhanced security and convenience, their global adoption is set to rise even further.

In essence, biometric authentication is revolutionizing the way we think about security. With NEC’s relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation in this sector, it is evident that the future of digital security is not just safe but also convenient and user-centric.

How NEC is Leading the Biometric Authentication Revolution

The world of biometrics has been evolving rapidly, and one company that has consistently remained at the forefront of these innovations is NEC. With decades of experience, NEC has earned its reputation as a global leader in the world of biometric authentication solutions.

  • Pioneering Advancements: Before biometric authentication became mainstream, NEC heavily invested in research and development. Their dedication has resulted in the creation of some of the most advanced biometric systems globally.
  • Facial Recognition Expertise: NEC’s facial recognition technology stands out in its accuracy and speed. Unsurprisingly, their technology has been adopted in various sectors, from security to retail.
  • Multi-modal Biometric Solutions: Beyond facial recognition, NEC offers a suite of multi-modal biometric solutions, ensuring comprehensive security measures suitable for various applications and use cases.
  • Global Reach: NEC’s biometric solutions are trusted by governments, corporations, and institutions worldwide, reinforcing their standing as a global leader.
  • Data Security: NEC understands the significance of data security. Their systems ensure that biometric data remains encrypted, safe, and uncompromised.
  • Innovative Algorithms: Their proprietary algorithms set NEC apart, offering faster and more accurate matches while ensuring data remains protected.
  • Adaptable Solutions: As industries evolve, so do their security needs. NEC’s biometric solutions are scalable and adaptable, ensuring they remain relevant and practical.
  • Contributions to Standards and Best Practices: NEC is not just a company that benefits from the biometric industry; they contribute to it. They have been instrumental in setting global standards and best practices for biometric authentication.
  • Customer-centric Approach: NEC’s biometric solutions are tailored to meet each client’s unique needs, ensuring optimal performance and security.
  • Robust Support System: A technology is only as good as the support behind it. NEC provides unparalleled support, ensuring their biometric systems operate flawlessly and efficiently.

In Conclusion,

NEC’s decades-long journey in biometric authentication is a testament to their dedication, innovation, and expertise.

While biometric authentication is now widely acknowledged as a critical security solution, NEC’s commitment has been unwavering since the early days. Their consistent advancements and industry contributions solidify their status as a pioneering leader in biometric technology. As we delve deeper into an era where security and convenience are paramount, companies like NEC are shaping the future.

For further reading on this subject and to discover the latest in Digital ID technology and Enterprise Identity checkout our blog Series on Introduction to Digital ID and Biometrics

On-Prem To The Cloud In A Day

A roadmap to an omnichannel contact center experience

A one-day cloud migration might sound unrealistic. Especially for something as fundamentally important as your contact center. But it isn’t.

We’re not talking about a rip and replace migration. More of a steady and phased in approach. Where your existing on-premises contact center is upgraded to an advanced on-prem omnichannel solution that puts an end to fragmented touchpoints allowing you to effortlessly connect with customers how they prefer.

On-Prem To The Cloud In A DayNEC and our alliance with T-Metrics – one of the only remaining on-prem or private cloud contact center providers available – makes this possible.

  • Modernize your existing infrastructure to an on-prem advanced omnichannel contact center solution your company needs for amazing customer experiences
  • Increase your call agent accessibility and responsiveness by effortlessly working across voice, web chat, email, video conferencing, social media and text interactions with a single and intuitive solution
  • Then when you’re ready – whether next month, next year or even further down the road – move your contact center to a private cloud experience and do it in a single day

It’s the control, safety and scalability you need for the best caller experiences possible.

  • Insight from 180+ pre-set reports, agent scorecards, sentiment analysis, post surveys and performance analytics keeps you informed and in total control
  • Being FedRAMP and StateRAMP authorized means you can be confident as we adhere to the demanding safety and security standards of both these programs
  • Being compatible with most UC voice infrastructure, you might not even have to change your existing tech stack

But most importantly … it’s contact center modernization totally on your own terms.

With NEC and T-Metrics, stay on-prem for as long as you want, have the robust omnichannel capabilities you need and your customers expect … and when or if the time comes move seamlessly to a private cloud with no loss in ability or service. And be up and running in a day.

Take a closer look at this highly flexible solution


Interested in seeing our solution in action?

Call us at 1-844-NEC-SAVE or use the form below to schedule a demo.

Global Law Enforcement Agencies Join Forces at The IBA User Conference

NEC in partnership with the International Biometrics Association (IBA), was proud to bring together leaders in identification management and law enforcement at the 36th Annual International Biometrics Association (IBA) Conference. The conference is a must-attend event to experience the latest advancements in multi-modal biometrics, AI-powered solutions, facial recognition technology and legislation, as well as the updates to trends within the public safety community.

The conference theme, “The Untouchables: Biometrics of the Future,” gave a nod to the law enforcement agents known as “The Untouchables” who made their mark in Chicago by ending Al Capone’s legacy. NEC and IBA gave kudos to the Chicago Police Department, our host police department, for helping to make the conference enlightening and exciting!

Throughout the conference, there were motivational keynotes and interactive panel discussions, an evening cruise through the Windy City, followed by a celebratory Awards Banquet. Intriguing demos featured the newest technologies, such as NEC’s Integrated Biometric Workstation (IBW), along with latent and tenprint training provided by Innovated Solutions (I3) and Forensic Solutions.  

Diverse and Inspirational Speakers

The opening keynote was presented by William J. Bratton, Executive Chairman, Teneo Risk / Former Police Commissioner NYPD and LAPD Police Chief. During his almost 50-year career in law enforcement, Bratton instituted progressive change and dramatic drops in crime while leading six police departments.

He inspired us with his presentation on “Policing and Technology in America,” spotlighting where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going in law enforcement, emphasizing the ways technology helps solve crimes faster and more efficiently.

Eugene le Roux, NEC Vice President of Digital Government, and Gary Lac, NEC Vice President of Solutions Development, provided in-depth overviews of NEC’s digital government strategy and cloud-driven product roadmap—now and into the future.  

A session called “Delivering Tomorrows…Today,” was moderated by Neal Byrd, Vice President of Sales of NEC National Security Systems with participation from Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems, and Dr. Chris White, President of NEC Laboratories of America. The talk highlighted compelling use cases and the benefits of AI technology to solve crimes and prevent human trafficking.

Public safety innovators Microsoft and Vantiq shared a futuristic outlook of how Cloud and AI technologies are enabling law enforcement agencies to communicate more quickly and evaluate situational awareness in real-time to identify threats and public safety concerns more swiftly.

Several other speakers participated in the agenda, including members from the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Bipartisan Policy Center, Big City Emergency Management, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona Department of Transportation, and the Los Angeles Sherriff’s Department who all spoke on a variety of topics.

NEC team members led legislation and panel discussions, as well as hands-on product workshops, certification training, and professional development sessions on:

  • Rapid DNA
  • CJISSECPOL Compliance
  • Mobile Identification Solutions
  • OSAC / FISWIG Updates
  • MBIS Cloud Deployments
  • Tattoo and Iris Matching

Winning with Advanced Biometric Solutions
The awards banquet recognized agencies that used NEC’s multi-modal solutions to solve their cases. Congratulations to this year’s winners:

  • Facial Recognition: Arizona Department of Transportation, Detective Earl Fisher
  • Latent/Palm/Fingerprint: Merced County Sheriff’s Office, Jessica Santiago

Solutions Spotlight
Attendees got product sneak peeks and experienced demos of NEC’s biometric and AI technologies for state and local agencies, including:

  • NEC SmartScan™, a livescan solution equipped for today’s public safety challenges.
  • NeoFace® Reveal, a forensic face recognition solution for investigation and identification.
  • Integra-ID®, an Automated Biometric Identity Service (ABIS) contains a comprehensive range of tools for editing, selection, image enhancement, comparison and verification. The cloud-enabled, multi-service architecture supports multiple biometric modalities, such as fingerprints, palm prints, faces, irises and tattoos.

Take a moment to watch the video recap and check out the picture gallery from the conference.

As risks to public safety and violent crimes continue to make news headlines, the role of law enforcement and advancements in AI, biometric, and digital identity solutions remain at the forefront of priorities.

We look forward to the 2024 IBA Conference as we continue to create innovations to support law enforcement and public safety.

Leveraging Free Assessments for Business Success

Why Such Offers Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

When was the last time your tech stack was put to the test? To ensure it is serving you well, assessments shouldn’t be ignored. While in-house evaluations have value, there’s distinct advantages to third-party reviews, especially when offered for free.

  • Free assessments – like those offered by NEC – provide a unique opportunity to gain a fresh perspective. A deeper understanding of emerging technologies as well as alternative approaches to what already exist. It’s access to insight that might not be available in-house or go unnoticed during an internal review.

  • No cost evaluations come with specialized knowledge and expertise. Decision makers can tap this wealth of experience and gain an alternative perspective, insight into industry trends and best practices, allowing a better understanding of the competitive environment that might be missed.

  • Solution provider free assessments are also driven by the latest technological advancements. This provides enterprises actionable insight and tailored recommendations specific to latest offerings and customized to business needs. Leveraging these proposals allow organizations to pivot based on informed decisions by prioritizing technology investments that best align with strategic objectives.

  • Taking advantage of free tech assessments can potentially lead to cost-saving opportunities by future proofing investments too. Provider evaluations can identify areas where technology can be optimized, consolidated or streamlined, reducing unnecessary expenses. Additionally they may uncover security vulnerabilities or compliance gaps that, if addressed proactively, can help mitigate risks at a later date.

So if you’re interested in improving your ability to make strategic investments that optimize tech spend, drive better results and generate long-term savings, don’t pass up an offer of a free assessment. What have you got to lose and what might you gain?


Interested in what NEC can do for you?

Call us directly at 1-844-NEC-SAVE or by using the form below … and let’s find out.

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Solve Crimes While Saving Time and Resources with NEC SmartScan™

Many agencies in the U.S. are stuck with antiquated livescan systems. As advancements in digital identity solutions continue to evolve, now is an ideal time to consider an upgrade.

Our livescan solution, NEC SmartScan™, provides law enforcement and other government agencies with the most efficient, accurate, and user-friendly solution in the industry.

Proven benefits:

  • Automated image capture
  • Accurate fingerprint, facial, and iris recognition technologies
  • Accessible, user-friendly interface optimized for Microsoft® Windows® 10 and 11
  • Affordable, with custom leasing, budget-friendly payment plans, GSA pricing, etc.

Today, SmartScan is being used successfully by agencies across the nation at the local, state, and federal levels.

“NEC SmartScan saves our clients time, resources, and budget,” says Eugene Le Roux, Vice President of Digital Government. “Our livescan station provides best-in-class speed and accuracy in capturing fingerprints, palm prints, irises, mugshots, scars, marks, and tattoos. Now agencies can process more applicants, arrestees, and offenders in less time and with fewer workstations.”

To learn more about NEC SmartScan, please visit https://www.necam.com/smartscan/ and get the latest information and stay ahead of the curve by following us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/nec-corporation-of-america/. Or connect with an NEC expert directly by filling out the form below.

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