April 2006

KeCrypt’s latest, most up to the minute Biometric Signature product was launched this month offering the most secure version of signature verification to date.

Using their patented dynamic verification algorithms but with the inclusion of a new interface to instruct users on how to develop a more secure signature, the new product was developed in collaboration with the Design Innovation Service - part of the Design Council’s Design for Business Programme which helps UK businesses improve their performance through design.

Developed in order to enhance the existing signature system, KeCrypt worked with guidance from a design mentor to create a graphical tutorial, guiding users on the development of their ‘KeCrypt Signature’ by taking them through some of the dynamic features that KeCrypt look for and thereby showing them how a signature with sufficient complexity yet easy and natural repeatability can be developed.   The resulting product safeguards against potential weaknesses in security, similar to someone choosing 1234 as their PIN or their own name as their password, as well as offering improved methods of detecting highly variable or insecure signatures.

The unique design-led approach is one which John Dale, managing director of KeCrypt, believes was invaluable in creating a truly effective product. He says:

’Beginning with design mentoring, the Design Innovation service helped KeCrypt to look at the psychology of authentication and, through that, to develop a product which is not only highly secure but is also easy to use’.

The research found that if a user types in their incorrect PIN their usual reaction is to assume they typed it wrong. Whereas, if they try and authenticate themselves biometrically but use a misplaced finger, or poorly executed signature, they automatically blame the machine.

But whilst it would not be acceptable to allow access at an ATM machine with someone typing the wrong number, on the basis that it was ‘close enough’, if the finger is poorly positioned or a signature is badly executed – then it is right that the biometric system should reject them.

Dale continues:

‘The problem is that these instances of rejection get recorded in statistical trials and suppress real performance. By helping us to understand signature behaviours, the design process led us to calculate that improving users’ style of signature would make considerable improvements in statistical performance and so enabled us to  develop an effective solution’.

Ellie Runcie, who leads the Design Council’s Technology Campaign, said, “KeCrypt are now seeing the benefit of immersing themselves in the world of their potential end users to strengthen their product to market proposition. The user trial they undertook and resulting changes to their innovative product has ensured that creating the right experience for people who use technology lies at the start and at the heart of all business activities.”

In Autumn 2002 the Design Council’s Technology Campaign began conducting a programme that introduces science and technology start ups to design teams. The teams have helped show technology ventures how design can benefit them at a strategic level. As a result of this programme the Design Innovation Service will be more widely accessible through ‘Design for Business’, the Design Council’s flagship product to help UK businesses improve their performance through design.