The SMARTpen is a new biometric technology that offers proof of a persons identity across any distance by way of a simple signature. It writes like a normal ballpoint pen, but uses technology to measure, encode and match the unique dynamics of the way a person signs their name.
SMARTpen works by capturing the biometric attributes which are exclusive to each person’s signature, including the speed and acceleration of a signature, the pressure used when writing and the angle at which the pen is held.
By combining biometric authentication with electronic signatures, digital signatures and device identification to symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, the SMARTpen provides End-to-End (E2ETM) security.
LCI-SMARTpen, the Dutch developer of the SMARTpen, has implemented the Rijndael Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm in the latest version of the product, claiming that the LCI-SMARTpen has become the first commercially-available product to use the new AES algorithm. AES will benefit users of the SMARTpen by increasing protection levels, and improving the speed of authentication.
Government transactions
The Belgian Parliament has become the first Government body to use biometric pen technology from LCI-SMARTpen to sign a commercial agreement with one of its suppliers – and irrefutably prove the authenticity of each party’s signature.
The pen was used during the exchange of contracts with Mediargus, an electronic media publisher. An initiative launched by the country’s daily newspapers, Mediargus will supply Parliament with a Web-based database of archived articles printed in the newspapers. The online information system is updated daily, allowing end users to scan the most current news.
Ben Jans, spokesman for LCI-SMARTpen , told SMT: “The Belgian Government is currently in the process of computerising its various departments. One of the biggest problems it faces is how to authenticate people effectively and ensure security.
“As pens are such a widely accepted way of signing transactions and documents, pen-based biometric systems offer a clear-cut solution”.
