It's no bigger than a credit card, but the Digital Defense Group's Factor4 Biocard can improve a company's ability to ensure database security exponentially.
The device uses fingerprint identification technology to reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft because only a registered fingerprint is authorized to access restricted information.
This piece of technology was one of the many subjects discussed at Technology Security Day, which was presented on Tuesday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska's Information Services Office in the Nebraska Union.
Other topics speakers discussed included security in wireless networks and the history of cryptography.
This is the fourth time Information Services and UNL collaborated to host the event, which is designed to educate and spark interest in computer security and technology.
"We do a great public service by putting this on," said Donald Costello, a lecturer for UNL's Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
Costello stressed the importance of understanding modern digital security and referred to a quote etched on the side of the Nebraska State Capitol that says, "The Salvation of the State is Watchfulness in the Citizen."
"You are here to increase your seeing ability so that maybe you can watch better," Costello said.
Darin Dolberg, the information technology specialist for UNL's Department of Agricultural Economics, attended the event and said he appreciated the fact the event included speeches from people who actually work in the field.
"It was nice to hear from the trenches," he said.
DeWayne Hughes, an enterprise IT architect for IBM, was the keynote speaker for the event.
The issues Hughes addressed dealt with banks that lose vital customer information to hackers, Web sites that sell stolen credit numbers and other digital security risks. He also discussed how financial fraud has overtaken viruses and spyware as the biggest security risk.
"I've had the chance to work with several companies in the Fortune 200, and I tried to share some problems and best practices in my speech," Hughes said.
Among those who attended were UNL students, staff and faculty members; local and state government officials; and high school students.
Costello said this year's event focused more on generating renewed interest among students in computer sciences.
To promote interest in the event, coordinators tried to create a balance between speeches concerning technical subjects and speeches geared toward a younger audience.
Peter Schlette, a freshman computer engineering major, said he found the event interesting.
"This is definitely very important, as there will be a lot of jobs concerning this," he said.
Costello said he hopes to continue the event in the future and keep creating an interest in the advancements made in digital technology and security.
"If you do this right, people do get interested."
jennagibson@dailynebraskan.com
jamieklein@dailynebraskan.com
