Features & Functions

Biometric Authentication
Biometric authentication measures the unique, invariable biological characteristics of an individual. One of the most common biometrics used today is fingerprint information.
The biometric information is captured during enrollment and translated into a template, which is stored for subsequent authentication. The template can be stored on a portable device such as a smart card or iButton, in a database on a server, or any other appropriate environment. During authentication, the biometric information is captured and compared against the stored template. If the user is valid, the two images will match, and authentication is achieved.

Pattern Recognition
Bioscrypt uses a pattern recognition algorithm as the basis for its fingerprint authentication systems. This algorithm processes the entire fingerprint image, rather than simply selecting a limited number of minutiae points. This means that pattern recognition algorithms are more robust as they are not significantly affected by the loss of information when a finger is scarred, damaged, or dirty. The robustness of our pattern recognition algorithm has allowed Bioscrypt to develop extremely reliable authentication systems, as well as sophisticated key storage and retrieval algorithms such as our patented process known as Biometric Encryption.


The advanced physical security features on the SID and the real time verification of any suspect SID will help alleviate concerns regarding the counterfeiting of seafarers’ documents. It will also facilitate the admission of seafarers for shore leave whilst a ship is in port and for transit, transfer and repatriation in accordance with the ILO Convention. In the case of transit, transfer to and from ship, or repatriation, a passport is required to supplement the SID.

BUSINESS CHALLENGE

To improve maritime security and combat terrorism, the world’s second largest shipping registry needed a cost-effective, counterfeit-proof method to objectively verify identification and qualifications of the global seafarers.

SOLUTION DESCRIPTION

Every seafarer’s card includes a tiny chip (smartcard technology) containing two fingerprint templates, a digitized version of the cardholder’s photograph (in color), and several pages of encoded text detailing seafarer certifications, etc.  The chip is a low cost technology and its use does not add any cost to the card itself.
From a technical perspective, the i-Sea solution involves the ports collecting demographic (text), biometric (two fingerprint templates), photographic (headshot photo), and other (proof of qualifications, proof of identity) data, adding the data to the seafarer’s application in the Seafarers Electronic Application (SEA) System and electronically transmitting that data via secure encrypted transmission back to headquarters in Vienna, Virginia.  The information is then verified by an evaluator and stored in a custom database application, which is used to globally track seafarers.  The ID software connects to the database via an ODBC connection to generate the biometric ID cards for the seafarers. 
Since the system utilized existing seafarer data and enrollment infrastructure, the custom components of the system were quickly and easily added at a low cost.  Furthermore, the new system is easy to use requiring minimal training for marine personnel.  
Other factors in decision to use this technology included a low cost per card, the ability of the reader to function in standalone mode without connection to a computer network, and an open architecture that will permit interchangeability with other biometric standards that may be established in the future by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).  The mobile computing device also supports reading of passports, driver’s licenses and smart cards, further expanding its role in verifying multiple forms of identification.