Fingerprint Sensors to Help Secure 2010 Census Data

WASHINGTON, D.C., and MELBOURNE, Fla. /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- In one of the largest biometrics implementations by the U.S. government, fingerprint sensors from AuthenTec will be used to help secure census information during the upcoming 2010 Census.

AuthenTec, a biometric fingerprint sensor security provider, has been selected by Harris Corp. to provide its EntrePad 1510 slide fingerprint sensors for the U.S. Census Bureau's Field Data Collection Automation (FDCA) program. FDCA is a five year, $600 million program that will fully integrate various automated systems to obtain field census data.

Harris will serve as the systems integrator and provide overall program management. Other Harris team members on the program include: Accenture LLP; Unisys Corp.; Dell Computer Corp.; High Tech Computer Corp.; Sprint; Oracle; Client Network Services, Inc.; and Headstrong.

AuthenTec's EntrePad 1510 sensor will be embedded in more than 500,000 PDAs that census takers will use to directly capture information collected during interviews, reducing the need for paper-based processing while increasing operational efficiency, improving accuracy, and reducing costs. Census takers will enroll their fingerprints in the device and then slide their fingers across the sensor to authenticate that the information was input by them. The sensor provides a trusted security chain that protects the Census network, and convenience for the census taker by eliminating the need for passwords.

Traditionally, Census field-data collection was handled primarily through paper address lists, maps, and questionnaires, resulting in high labor costs and potential errors due to the magnitude of the labor-intensive data collection processes. For the 2010 Decennial Census, the Census Bureau plans to use automated systems to directly capture information collected during interviews, reducing the need for paper-based processing while increasing operational efficiency, improving accuracy, and reducing costs. The FDCA program will provide advanced, automated systems that deliver data to the Census Bureau's computing systems in near real-time for integration with other data sources.

These systems will support the data collection activities of Census Bureau enumerators and local census offices during the 2008 dress rehearsal and ultimately the 2010 Decennial Census. At the peak of data collection operations during the 2010 Census, the FDCA system will support approximately 500 local offices and over 500,000 enumerators.

"AuthenTec's EntrePad sensors add a significant layer of security to this very important government program. The sensors help not only protect the device but the private information stored on the device and in the Census network. We are pleased to add the world's leading fingerprint supplier to our team," said Mike Murray, Harris FDCA program director.

"We are excited that AuthenTec sensors were selected for this significant U.S. government program. The selection reaffirms the benefits that our secure, small slide sensors can provide in major government applications," said Andy Germano, director of wireless market development for AuthenTec.

AuthenTec's EntrePad 1510 is one of the world's smallest and most secure fingerprint sensor for wireless applications—providing security and convenience in cell phones, PDAs, and other wireless devices. The EntrePad 1510 for the wireless market is complimented by the company's EntrePad 1610 for PC products, including laptops and peripheral devices used in government applications. Both sensors are based on AuthenTec's patented TruePrint and TrueMatch technologies, which provide accurate fingerprint images, enabling the company to create extremely small sensors that can read virtually every fingerprint. Because the sensors read below the surface of the skin, they also are not affected by dirt, oil, scars, or other finger conditions.

AuthenTec's sensors are used in more than 150 different cell phones, notebook and tablet computers, portable hard drives, mice, keyboards, memory keys, and other devices. AuthenTec sensors also are widely used in government buildings, airports, and other secure facilities.

About AuthenTec
With more than 9 million sensors in use worldwide, AuthenTec is a leader in fingerprint sensor security and sales to the PC, wireless, and access control markets. AuthenTec's award-winning FingerLoc and EntrePad sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch by using the company's patented TruePrint technology to deliver convenient, reliable, and cost-effective means for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication. The company's network of partners, solution providers, and customers include Analog Devices, APC, BIO-key, Bioscrypt, Cherry, Cogent, Compal, Fujitsu Computer, Computer Associates, Harris Corp., HP, IBM, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Motion Computing, NEC Packard Bell, Pantech, Precise Biometrics, Privaris, Quanta, Saflink, Samsung, Tatung, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Wistron, among others.