Monthly Archives: February 2017

Spotlight on Safran Identity & Security

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In this edition of the DIACC member Spotlight, we chat with experts from Safran Identity & Security. Learn about their work, why they believe trustworthy digital identification is critical for existing and emerging markets, and why they joined the DIACC league of experts.

Safran Identity & Security (formerly known as Morpho) is a global leader in security and identity solutions, deploying solutions in more than 100 countries.

We employ more than 8,700 people in 57 countries and generated revenues of nearly €1.9 billion in 2015. Backed by more than 40 years of experience in biometrics, the company develops innovative technologies for a wide range of markets and applications for people, governments and business.

Our solutions manage identities, secure payments and transactions and safeguard privacy, for an increasingly digital and connected world. 

 

  1.  What is the mission and vision of Safran Identity and Security?

Our mission is: “make everyday lives easier and safer”.

Our vision is: “trusted identities in a connected world”, enabling secure identification and transactions.

Safran Identity & Security supports governments and leading companies in overcoming the major security and identity challenges inherent in their digital transformation:

  • Establish the trust users need to adopt digital services,
  • Ensure digital security, protect sensitive data and applications,
  • Fight against fraud, identity theft,
  • Comply with regulations (e.g. Know Your Customer, Strong Customer Authentication in PSD2…),
  • Improve and streamline user experience, make security convenient.

in order to achieve a common goal: combining biometrics and digital solutions to make life safer and easier for everyone.

 

  1. Why is trustworthy digital identity critical for existing and emerging markets?

The introduction of digital technologies into existing markets has profoundly altered our approach to data security, drastically reducing identity theft as well as introducing new identity solutions.

Using Safran’s fingerprint, face, and iris recognition technologies and expertise, governments and service providers guarantee access to services and fight fraud by safeguarding citizen and user identities, a fundamental privilege of democratic society.

Our solutions have notably contributed to the massive deployment of the Aadhaar program in India. By providing an acknowledged and secure identity tied to biometric data, all citizens can now access vital services like education and healthcare, enabling government and companies to establish and manage trustworthy personal digital identities.

 

  1. What strategic goals does Safran Identity and Security target to achieve in the next 5-10 years?

Both security and identity markets are healthy and growing. New sectors are turning more towards biometric authentication such as health, banking, retail and the shared economy. As consumer adoption of biometric authentication rapidly spreads in commercial markets, service providers need solutions which are more secure than what is currently available in the average smartphone or tablet. Today’s fingerprint sensors may be sufficient to unlock a smartphone, but are they secure enough to authenticate a large on-line transaction? Not yet. That’s where our role comes in to play. Working for the most demanding customers in this market, like the FBI, has enabled us to develop most sophisticated biometric algorithms in the world, which we are now deploying for commercial giants like Samsung and Visa. This was not the case a year ago.

We are very well positioned to play a key role in developing digital identity across both government and commercial markets. There is a strong need for public-private convergence in this area. We also need to have a shared understanding of the implications in terms of data privacy and protection. And digital identity is not just about people, but applies to objects as well. IoT is massively increasing the amount of data available in the world. Today there are more than 20 billion connected objects, and this number is predicted to triple in just 5 years! As planes, cars, medical equipment or other objects ensure more and more critical functions, there is a pressing need identify those objects or those users remotely accessing them.

Security and trust in the digital world

Safran Identity & Security offers the most comprehensive platform on the market for ensuring security, confidence, convenience and compliance in a multichannel environment:

  • Identity Acquisition and Verification,
  • Adaptive Authentication,
  • Secure Transaction (digital signature and secure archiving),
  • Mobile Payment,
  • Mobile Shopping,
  • Mobile Security.

Strong Authentication for a digital future

As people and objects become more and more connected, security and authentication have taken on a new dimension. To support the transition from a physical to a digital and mobile world, Safran’s R&D effort is focused on developing innovative digital identity solutions to enable service providers reinforce authentication processes and guarantee secure access to multiple devices and accounts.

Our digital identity solutions, derived from physical identity solutions, represent a major technological breakthrough for every type of authentication procedure. Eliminating the security concerns tied to accessing sensitive information online, users can now store this information digitally for secure access to a full range of services and payment platforms via any authorized mobile device. We also provide an extra layer of protection through biometric authentication (fingerprint, face or iris recognition) to access the device.

Biometric Authentication, as part of a multi-factor authentication strategy

The typical uses and security behaviors that worked at home on a PC are more difficult to apply on the move, where passwords have reached their limits. But, more than ever, we still have to protect our data, transactions and our identity.

Biometrics is one answer: a simple wave of the hand, pressing a finger on a scanner, or looking at a camera for a second is enough to authenticate our identity. Biometrics facilitates the life of users who are increasingly mobile and connected, offering a simple alternative authentication solution to the traditional password and PIN.

 

  1. Why did Safran Identity and Security join DIACC?

DIACC is the leading organization in Canada promoting values and principles for the Canadian digital identity ecosystem. International and open standard protocols are keys for the successful integration and development of technologies aiming to secure and protect customer’s identity information. Safran Identity & Security recognizes the important role played by DIACC to establish a secure, trusted, privacy-respective digital ID ecosystem in the region, and wants to be a main participant involved in developing the digital ID and authentication framework for Canada.

 

  1. What else should we know about Safran Identity and Security?

Safran Identity & Security has been acquired by Advent International.

Advent, who is also the parent company of Oberthur Technologies/OT, will combine the two companies to create a world champion in identification technologies and digital security. The clear aim is an alliance of equals, as we have complementary strengths that would enable us to develop stronger market positions. The two companies have balanced portfolios: this includes OT’s experience in digital embedded security, as well as our own expertise in biometrics, identity and public security. The future, combined entity would operate in four key markets: banking, payment, identity and security.

Technology and innovation are an integral part of our DNA, and this will not change in the future. Advent’s commitment would help us preserve our technological leadership and develop in dynamic areas like biometrics, authentication, embedded security for IoT, video and data analytics, etc. Through innovation in dynamic areas, we will preserve our longstanding heritage as a leader in both security and identity markets.

http://www.safran-group.com/security

International Award – Distributed Privacy Enhancing Technology

Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada Awarded International Grant to Advance Cloud Based Identity Management, Security, and Data Privacy

Read the Paper | Watch the Video

Funding to Support Research and Development of New Cloud Based Solutions – Founded on Canadian Values-  to Protect Digital Identities and Enable Canada’s Digital Economy

TORONTO– February 14, 2017 –The Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC), a non-profit coalition of public and private sector leaders committed to developing a Canadian digital identification and authentication framework, today announced their receipt of a new applied research grant, in collaboration with Canada’s SecureKey Technologies, to enable the development of a cloud based identity ecosystem.

The grant, valued at up to US$800,000, is the result of a collaboration between the DIACC and the Command, Control, and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analytics (CCICADA) a research center of excellence at Rutgers University funded by the Science & Technology Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“DIACC helps to drive innovation in Canada – for the world – by catalyzing ground breaking digital ID and authentication research,” said Joni Brennan, President, DIACC. “By focusing on applying Canadian values of privacy, security and transparency to the development of the global digital identity ecosystem, DIACC is working to ensure that Canada is a leader in shaping the global digital economy. If Canada is to seize the opportunity of the digital economy, we must invest together in digital ID and authentication – these are the rails upon which the digital economy runs.”

Leveraging modern distributed network architectures (blockchain), the Cloud Identity Ecosystem will give Canadian businesses, consumers, governments and civil society members the tools they need to securely manage digital identities and assets. The Ecosystem will be built within a framework that protects and promotes Canadian values and perspectives; applying the ten DIACC Digital Identity Ecosystem Principals that a trusted digital ecosystem must:

  1. Be robust, secure, and scalable
  2. Implement, protect, and enhance Privacy by Design
  3. Be inclusive, open, and meets broad stakeholder needs
  4. Be transparent in governance and operation
  5. Provide Canadians choice, control, and convenience
  6. Be built on open, standards-based protocols
  7. Be interoperable with international standards
  8. Be cost effective and open to competitive market forces
  9. Be able to be independently assessed, audited and subject to enforcement
  10. Minimize data transfer between authoritative sources and will not create new identity databases

“SecureKey is fully committed to developing a national cloud ecosystem that puts consumers first and increases both their digital security and privacy,” said Andre Boysen, Chief Identity Officer of SecureKey. “This funding will be essential in making that commitment a reality, ensuring that consumers have access to secure digital protection.”

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This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T). Any opinions contained herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of DHS S&T, CCICADA, and the broader DIACC membership.

About Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC)

Created as a result of the federal government’s Task Force for the Payments System Review, the DIACC is a non-profit coalition of public and private sector leaders committed to developing a Canadian digital identification and authentication framework to enable Canada’s full and secure participation the global digital economy. DIACC members include representatives from both the federal and provincial levels of government as well as private sector leaders.

 

The DIACC’s objective is to unlock economic opportunities for Canadian consumers, and businesses by providing the framework to develop a robust, secure, scalable and privacy enhancing digital identification and authentication ecosystem that will decrease costs for governments, consumers, and business while improving service delivery and driving GDP growth. To learn more visit www.diacc.ca or follow us on twitter @mydiacc

 

About The Command, Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis

CCICADA — The Command, Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis — is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security University Center of Excellence that uses advanced data analysis and systems to address natural and manmade threats to the safety and security of the American people. CCICADA’s work is carried out by researchers and students with 17 partner institutions. The lead university in the partnership is Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. CCICADA’s director is Dr. Fred Roberts, Professor of Mathematics at Rutgers.

 

About SecureKey Technologies

SecureKey is a leading identity and authentication provider that simplifies consumer access to online services and applications. SecureKey enables next generation privacy-enhancing identity and authentication network for conveniently connecting people to critical online services using a digital credential they already have and trust. SecureKey is headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Boston and San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.securekey.com.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Krista Pawley

Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada

Kpawley@diacc.ca

416-270-9987

 

 

 

Subvention Internationale

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Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada obtient une subvention internationale pour développer la gestion, la sécurité et la confidentialité de l’identité en nuage

Ce financement vise à soutenir la recherche et le développement de nouvelles solutions en nuage – basées sur les valeurs canadiennes – afin de protéger les identités numériques et de forger l’économie numérique du Canada

TORONTO, mardi le 14 février 2017 – Le Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC), une coalition sans but lucratif de chefs de file des secteurs public et privé ayant pour vocation de développer un cadre canadien d’identification et d’authentification numériques, a annoncé aujourd’hui une nouvelle initiative de recherche appliquée, menée avec la collaboration de la société canadienne SecureKey Technologies, en vue de concevoir un écosystème de l’identité en nuage.

L’initiative, qui pourrait coûter jusqu’à 800 000 $, est le fruit d’une collaboration entre le DIACC et le Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analytics (CCICADA), un centre d’excellence en recherche de l’Université Rutgers financé par la Direction de la science et technologie du U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

« Le DIACC contribue à promouvoir l’innovation au Canada – au profit du monde entier – en catalysant la recherche innovatrice sur l’identité et l’authentification numériques, a déclaré Joni Brennan, présidente, DIACC. En cherchant avant tout à appliquer les valeurs canadiennes que sont le respect de la vie privée, la sécurité et la transparence au développement de l’écosystème mondial de l’identité numérique, le DIACC fait en sorte que le Canada soit un leader pour ce qui est de façonner l’économie numérique mondiale. Si le Canada compte saisir l’occasion qu’offre l’économie numérique, nous devons investir ensemble dans l’identité et l’authentification numériques – les rails de l’économie numérique.

Tirant parti des architectures de réseau distribuées (chaîne de blocs) modernes, l’écosystème de l’identité en nuage donnera aux entreprises, aux consommateurs, aux gouvernements et aux membres de la société civile du Canada les outils dont ils ont besoin pour gérer d’une façon sécuritaire les identités et les actifs numériques. L’écosystème sera bâti à l’intérieur d’un cadre qui protège et promeut les valeurs et les perspectives canadiennes, en appliquant les 10 principes adoptés par le DIACC, selon lesquels un écosystème de l’identité numérique de confiance doit :

  1. Être robuste, sûr et adaptable
  2. Instaurer, protéger et améliorer la protection intégrée de la vie privée
  3. Être inclusif, ouvert et adapté aux besoins généraux des parties prenantes
  4. Avoir une gouvernance et un fonctionnement transparents
  5. Offrir choix, contrôle et commodité
  6. Être construit sur des protocoles basés sur des normes ouvertes
  7. Permettre une interopérabilité avec les normes internationales
  8. Être économique et ouvert à la concurrence du marché
  9. Pouvoir être évalué et vérifié d’une façon indépendante, et être assujetti à l’application de la loi
  10. Réduire le transfert de données entre les sources autorisées et ne pas créer de nouvelles bases de données d’identification

« SecureKey est parfaitement déterminée à développer un écosystème en nuage national qui accorde la priorité aux consommateurs et qui accroît leur sécurité et leur confidentialité numériques, a indiqué Andre Boysen, chef de l’identité de SecureKey. Ce financement sera essentiel pour que cet engagement demeure une réalité, en faisant en sorte que les consommateurs aient accès à une protection numérique sûre. »

 

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À propos du Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada

Fruit du groupe de travail sur l’examen des systèmes de paiement mis sur pied par le gouvernement fédéral, le Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) est une coalition sans but lucratif de leaders des secteurs public et privé qui a pour vocation de développer un cadre canadien d’identification et d’authentification numériques afin de permettre au Canada de participer pleinement et en toute sécurité à l’économie numérique mondiale. Les membres du DIACC comprennent des représentants des gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux ainsi que des chefs de file du secteur privé.

Le DIACC a pour objectif d’offrir des débouchés économiques aux consommateurs et aux entreprises du Canada en fournissant le cadre voulu pour développer un écosystème d’identification et d’authentification numériques à la fois robuste, sécuritaire, évolutif et plus confidentiel, qui va réduire les coûts des gouvernements, des consommateurs et des entreprises tout en favorisant la croissance du PIB. Pour atteindre cet objectif, le DIACC collabore avec des partenaires – au Canada et ailleurs dans le monde – afin de catalyser les investissements et les collaborations liés à l’identité et l’authentification numériques. Pour en savoir davantage, visitez www.diacc.ca ou suivez-nous sur twitter @mydiacc

 

À propos du Command, Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis

Le Command, Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis (CCICADA) est un centre d’excellence universitaire du U.S. Department of Homeland Security qui utilise des analyses de données et des systèmes avancés pour s’attaquer aux menaces naturelles et humaines contre la sécurité et la sûreté des Américains. Le travail du CCICADA est accompli par des chercheurs et des étudiants de 17 institutions partenaires. L’Université d’État Rutgers du New Jersey est le principal partenaire. Le directeur du CCICADA est le Dr Fred Roberts, professeur de mathématiques à Rutgers.

 

À propos de SecureKey Technologies

SecureKey est un fournisseur d’identité et d’authentification de premier plan, qui simplifie l’accès des consommateurs aux services et aux applications en ligne. SecureKey crée un réseau d’identité et d’authentification de prochaine génération, qui protège davantage la vie privée en offrant aux gens un accès pratique à des services en ligne essentiels grâce aux identifiants numériques qu’ils possèdent déjà et auxquels ils font confiance. SecureKey a son siège social à Toronto et des bureaux à Boston et à San Francisco. Pour plus de renseignements, visitez www.securekey.com.

 

 

Renseignements :

 

Krista Pawley

Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada

Kpawley@diacc.ca

416-270-9987