Fingerprint Biometrics Leader AuthenTec Joins Near Field Communication Forum
AuthenTec, the world leader in fingerprint sensor security, innovation and sales, has joined the Near Field Communication (NFC) Forum, a non-profit industry association advancing the use of NFC technology.
The Near Field Communication (NFC) Forum is a global standards development and advocacy group dedicated to advancing near field communication technology, educating the public about its benefits, and furthering its implementation around the world.
AuthenTec provides biometric fingerprint sensors for nearly 5 million cell phones that are used for secure mobile commerce and NFC transactions in Asia. The phones are used to purchase items from stores and vending machines without cash or credit cards, access trains and subways without tickets, and conduct wireless banking, among other activities. AuthenTec sensors protect not only the device, but also the transactions by providing secure authentication at the simple swipe of a finger. Recent studies have shown the U.S. residents are anxious for the same mobile commerce and NFC transactions.
“AuthenTec is pleased to join other industry leaders in the NFC Forum to further develop the acceptance of secure NFC technology,” said Art Stewart, vice president of business development for AuthenTec. “NFC technology and the convenient security of our biometric fingerprint sensors are highly complementary features as the world moves toward mobile wallet solutions. Secure NFC transaction protocol has the potential to cross all geographic and physical barriers, and an open consortium is the best way to ensure true interoperability among devices and services, as well as implementing a dynamic environment for creating unique services for companies in all sectors.”
The NFC Forum’s corporate members include both product and services firms: companies from the mobile communications, consumer electronics, chip manufacturing, computing, media and entertainment, telecom and payment services sectors. The Forum carries out its work primarily through focused working groups of members covering its various areas of interest, and it promotes the adoption of NFC through open specification development, interoperability testing and compliance facilities, and by publicizing the value of NFC-enabled products and services.