ID Tech Digest – November 15, 2024

Welcome to ID Tech’s digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:

CBP Pilots Facial Biometric Vehicle Screening at Buffalo-Peace Bridge Border Crossing

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched a pilot facial biometric vehicle screening program at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry in Buffalo, New York, marking the first vehicle-based implementation of its Simplified Arrival program. Running through March 2025 in three dedicated lanes, the system captures occupant images to verify identities against government records, replacing manual document checks. Designed to enhance security and prevent document fraud, the program also tests the technology’s resilience in harsh winter conditions. U.S. citizen images are deleted within 12 hours, and opt-out lanes remain available for those preferring manual inspection.

FinCEN Warns Financial Institutions of Rising Threat of Deepfake Fraud

The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued an alert to financial institutions about the growing threat of deepfake fraud schemes enabled by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). The warning highlights a rise in fraudulent activities involving synthetic identity documents, such as altered driver’s licenses and passports, created using GenAI tools to bypass verification systems. FinCEN reports that suspicious activity involving deepfakes has surged since 2023, with criminals exploiting AI to target institutions and customers through identity fraud, business email compromise schemes, and scams involving voice and video impersonation. The agency advises financial institutions to enhance fraud detection measures, including deepfake detection software, live verification checks, and reverse image searches, and to reference “FIN-2024-DEEPFAKEFRAUD” in suspicious activity reports to aid in tracking these schemes.

EU’s Digital ID Wallet Consortium Explores Payment Applications in White Paper

The European Digital Identity Wallet Consortium (EWC) has published a white paper outlining plans to integrate payment functionalities into the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet). The document emphasizes the use of device biometrics such as fingerprints and facial recognition for secure and frictionless payment authentication, aligning with regulatory requirements for Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). The wallet is proposed as an alternative SCA method, linking to payment accounts during registration and enabling secure transaction attestations through cryptographic proofs and fraud detection. The paper highlights interoperability with standards like 3-D Secure and existing payment infrastructures, ensuring compatibility with systems such as NFC-enabled POS terminals. It also envisions broader applications, including proof of income and age verification, while addressing challenges like liability frameworks and PSP agreements.

US Officials to Unveil Details on Smart Device Cybersecurity Certification at CES 2025

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to announce the lead administrator for the Cyber Trust Mark, a voluntary cybersecurity certification program for smart devices, with details to be revealed at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. Designed to certify IoT devices meeting baseline cybersecurity standards, the program will feature a recognizable label and a QR code providing details on security features like update support and patch management. Developed using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines, the initiative follows President Biden’s 2021 executive order on strengthening cybersecurity and aligns with international efforts, including adoption by the European Union.

Swiss Authorities Collaborate with Regula on Digital ID Verification for Airports

Swiss authorities are enhancing digital ID verification at airports through a partnership between Checkport Switzerland and Regula, focusing on the MatchBox application powered by Regula Document Reader SDK. This system automates travel document checks during online check-in at Zurich and Geneva airports, verifying passports, visas, and permits in about three seconds using a database of over 14,000 ID templates. The initiative aims to reduce inadmissible passenger management costs under INAD regulations, which penalize airlines for invalid documentation. MatchBox has processed 1.5 million documents, with 86 percent handled automatically, significantly cutting operational costs.

New Ford Vehicle Security Patents Cover Biometrics, Risk Signals

Ford is advancing vehicle security with new biometric authorization systems. Recent patents include one (No. 12142022) detailing a confidence score-based biometric authentication system developed in collaboration with The Australian National University, and another (No. 12106609) that monitors vehicle data to detect unauthorized connection losses, mirroring financial security techniques. To enhance security further, Ford is introducing two-factor authentication for key reprogramming tools and theft deterrence measures like remote disabling via the FordPass app in its 2025 F-Series trucks.

Deskbee Integrates HID Mobile Access Technology for Enhanced Office Security

Deskbee, a Brazilian corporate space management provider, has integrated HID Mobile Access and Identity Positioning technologies into its platform to improve security and access control efficiency. HID Mobile Access enables facility entry via mobile devices, while the Identity Positioning system uses location-based verification to restrict access to authorized personnel. This integration caters to the needs of hybrid work environments by offering flexible yet secure access management. Deskbee’s updated platform aims to streamline workflows, enhance user convenience, and maintain security protocols, reflecting the increasing adoption of mobile-first security solutions in corporate settings.

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November 15, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala