University of Maryland University College and Biometric Signature ID – Announce Successful Pilot of Biometric Technology for Online Student ID Verification

Adelphi MD and Dallas, Texas, – December 8, 2009. Biometric Signature ID announced today the results of a successful pilot where students validated their identity during an online course and at their proctored exam site with University of Maryland University College. In this limited pilot, verification of student identity was made possible by using signature/gesture biometrics without the need of any hardware. Matt Prineas PhD, Office of the Provost at UMUC states “and in this pilot our students and faculty were very impressed with the BioSig-ID and Click-ID software authentication technology and its ease of use, simplicity and effectiveness in verifying student identity”

“This marks the first time students were able to authenticate their identity in seconds using a mouse from any PC, anywhere to establish proof they are who they say they are” stated Jeff Maynard CEO of Biometric Signature ID.

“ We are excited about introducing our software solutions with the leading distance education university in the world and their visionary leadership team led by President Dr. Susan Aldridge; Vice Provost and Dean of SUS Dr. Marie Cini and Dr. Matt Prineas of the Provost office” states Jeff Maynard CEO of Biometric Signature ID.

“It is not just about finding a lower cost replacement for proctored exams states Maynard. “The need is to find identity proofing solutions that can be used efficiently in other distance learning environments including discussion groups, attendance checking, paper submissions, or accessing personal student files”. Remote computer based tests (CBT’s) have been limited to this point for many institutions due to cost, integrity and identity concerns. BSI has developed a technology that can confirm the identity of students necessary before access to the CBT is granted and throughout the course.

With the BSI system, identity authentication is performed using a dynamic biometric (BioSig-ID Online™) that captures the way the student moves/draws their secret code with their mouse. The student is asked to enroll in the system and creates a profile that is used to compare their signature using random, periodic, challenges. The student also enrolls in BSI’s second layer of identity proofing – Click-ID Online™ an image pattern recognition technology. The integrated solution offers a unique closed loop that allows the student the ability to perform an automatic password re-set or re-enrollment and avoid costly help desk calls

About University of Maryland University College
Founded in 1947, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is one of 11 accredited, degree-granting institutions in the University System of Maryland (USM). UMUC is the largest public university in the nation. In 2008, UMUC had over 189,000 online course enrollments. Offering a broad range of cutting-edge classes, UMUC has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence as a comprehensive virtual university and for focusing on the unique educational and professional development needs of adult students.

Working adults, military personnel, and other students around the globe are achieving their academic goals through UMUC’s innovative educational options, including online instruction, accelerated academic programs, and classroom-based courses taught during the daytime, evenings, and weekends.

About Biometric Signature ID
A Dallas based software company, BSI provides identity proofing solutions to reduce identity fraud through its’ patented BioSig-ID Online™ biometric handwriting and gesture technologies. Activation is from any mouse, stylus or touchpad on any PC anywhere, anytime. Enrollment takes minutes while validation takes seconds.

The way you draw or write with a mouse cannot be lost, stolen or borrowed – a major concern with PINS, passwords and tokens. When a user ID’s password or token is shared with a colleague, the system cannot know who the actual physical user is and the integrity of the system breaks down. BioSig-ID stops identity fraud by restricting access to only registered users who verify themselves against their stored biometric profile.

BSI’s software has opened the door for distance learning to positively establish that the student who registers in a course is the same student who participates and completes the course and receives the academic credit, without the use of hardware. BSI offers a complete line of solutions to meet the authentication and authorization needs for a wide range of industries. View our product solutions on video at www.biosig-id.com.