New Silex Biometrics Suite Has All The Bases Covered

Silex Technology is aiming to remove the obstacles preventing mass adoption of biometrics technologies. Silex's solution includes both software and hardware, which allows full integration of a biometrics-based solution into Windows networks and PCs.

Silex offers several fingerprint readers, including a USB miniature portable unit for travelers, USB desktop scanners and combination scanners that incorporate smart cards and biometrics to provide the utmost in security technology.

The key to making this technology work is in Silex's SX-Biometrics Suite V3. The software package includes all necessary drivers and integration components to allow a Windows system to authenticate a user's identity using a fingerprint, a smart card or a combination of both to access data on a PC or notebook.

Solution providers can get users started with Silex's products by simply integrating them at the desktop level. There, a solution provider installs the desktop portion of the software, which automatically integrates with the native Windows security architecture. Once completed, solution providers plug the biometrics device into a USB port and register fingerprints or smart cards.

While that method offers a quick way to get started with the product, they should also emphasize its network authentication capabilities. This is an area where biometrics technologies can truly shine, offering secure access to both local and remote users while complying with company policies and legislative requirements. Solution providers can stress compliance issues brought about by HIPAA or Sarbanes-Oxley legislation as a selling point for the Silex product line.

Silex products rely on domain-based authentication when integrating with a network-based system. In other words, the Silex software suite manages biometrics credentials and uses those credentials to create the domain authentication elements. This can simplify the addition of biometrics authentication to a Windows network, but can complicate the process of managing and controlling multiple devices. Administrators must manage each authentication device individually and rely on a Windows domain to fully control user access rights.

Smart card integration can prevent unauthorized access and thwart attempts to trick the fingerprint scanner or authentication software. Solution providers can set up an additional PIN-based authentication step to provide even more security. Silex's solution covers all the elements of security best practices: Users have something they know (PIN), something they possess (smart card) and something individually unique (fingerprint). This combination of elements offers the highest level of security possible.

The SX-Biometrics Suite Combo V3 supports up to 300 users per PC and as many as five fingerprints per user, which meets the needs of most organizations. Silex also offers an SDK for solution providers creating custom biometrics solutions. The solution provides opportunities for those developing vertical market applications or looking to extend biometrics beyond Windows authentication methods.

Mobile workers will want to use the Combo-Mini based reader, which is ideal for notebook computers. Its small size and direct-connection USB connector make the unit very portable. Desktop users may select the larger MUSB200-Combo unit, which connects via a USB port and includes a long cable.

Solution providers looking to promote biometrics-based security can start off by offering to install the technology on a business' server to demonstrate the advantages offered by biometrics. Those benefits will quickly trickle down to end users. What's more, help-desk requests for password resets and an overall increase in security should help the IT department's bottom line.

Silex does an adequate job of bringing biometrics to the masses, while keeping the technology affordable and relatively simple. CRN Test Center engineers would like to see better integration with Active Directory and plug-in tools for Microsoft's management console to further help solution providers with larger deployments.

Silex's single-level channel program provides varying reseller margins depending on the type of deployment installed by a solution provider.

Pre- and post-sales support, customized technical support and marketing support are available on-site or via the Web. A dedicated partner Web site is also available. Silex's USB Combo/Mini is priced at $179.