Tech Bytes: Mytec Blends RSA And Biometric Coding

RSA Data Security Inc. said Mytec Technologies Inc. has incorporated RSA encryption into its biometric security system.

Toronto-based Mytec has developed a patented "biometric encryption" technique that makes use of an individual's fingerprint in securing transmissions over the Internet and company intranets. The fingerprint pattern is used to scramble or encode an encryption key.

"The combination of biometric encryption with RSA's technology brings a higher level of security to communication on public networks such as the Internet," said Keith Clemons, Mytec vice president of marketing.

"Electronic commerce and E-mail can now be carried out with authentication of both parties in the transaction," he said. Because the Mytec approach addresses the "weak link" of key storage and management, "only an authorized individual could have sent the message, and only the designated receiver can read the message."