Biometrics – An extra layer of security

We will be showing the latest version of Armour Mobile at Cyber UK (24-25 April 2019), and one of our most exciting upgrades is the provision of the ability to use biometrics as an extra layer of authentication.

We haven’t just jumped on a bandwagon here, biometrics is an important development for security.  While our products use identity-based cryptography and are designed to enable secure, cross-platform communications by identifying and authenticating the end points, this doesn’t necessarily identify who is actually using the device.  (More about identity-based encryption (IBE) and its benefits in our previous blog post here: https://www.armourcomms.com/2018/02/27/are-you-talking-to-me/?cat-slug=10)

When biometric authentication is added to Armour Mobile, it also confirms that it is the right person using the phone.  Armour Mobile integrates with the biometric authentication algorithms on the latest smartphones (iOS and Android) and uses them to open the Armour Mobile app. The user simply logs in to our app using their fingerprint or face ID, which is authenticated by the device and – through its link into the mobile’s built-in, secure key store – can then unlock our app (when closed, our app’s data-at-rest is kept encrypted).

The biometric component makes it simpler to login without needing to retype a password every time. This convenience removes another of the (perceived) ease-of-use barriers to using a secure, enterprise app that has been designed for purpose, rather than a consumer-grade app.

We will be demoing exactly how it works on our stand B9 at Cyber UK, at the Scottish Event Campus,  Glasgow,  24 – 25 April.

In addition, we will be demonstrating full integration with Secure Chorus’ interoperability standards for encrypted voice calls, to a live audience, with Leonardo, BAE Applied Intelligence and a defence organisation. The interactive workshop, hosted by the NCSC and led by Secure Chorus takes place on 24 April at 14.00 and is part of Stream G.

Several of our partners are also exhibiting, including BAE Systems on stand E22, Amiosec on stand E20, Leonardo on stand E15, Qinetiq on stand B2, Nine23 on stand SBH15 and Templar Executives on stand SBH7.

So all in all, well worth a visit!  For more information and to register visit:  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/cyberuk/overview