BIO-key wins biometric security deal

BIO-key International Inc., which offers finger-based biometric identification technologies and mobile wireless solutions, is part of a team of companies that have won a $5 million contract to provide a solution to the National Center for Biodefense Communications, the company announced today.

BIO-Key of Minneapolis, along with MaxIT Inc., of Jackson, Miss., and Circadence Corp. of Boulder, Colo., will help the center bring biometric identification to the public health industry. All three companies are part of the Pegasus Technology Consortium.

Bio-Key's Web key finger identification solution provides a reliable and cost effective way to identify people securely before allowing them access to health care and medical data, according to the company. The National Center for Biodefense Communications is a congressionally funded program at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

The Pegasus Technology Consortium is a group of leading data communications and technology firms that support government program seeking fast, secure data communications between federal, state and local agencies and research institutions.

The consortium aims to bring commercially available, highly secure and reliable technology services to local agencies throughout the nation in support of homeland security, public safety and public health. MaxIT leads the consortium.

(Posted July 7 and revised July 8)