Indian Navy To Use Biometric Security Devices

The Indian government approves a first set of mobile biometric security devices for navy and coast guard as a measure to strengthen coastal security.

The Resident Identity Card (RIC) readers developed by domestic firms Ms ITI and Ms Electronics Corporation of India, is designed to check the identity cards of the residents in coastal areas.

RIC can authenticate an individual’s demographic and biometric authentication without an internet connection.

"The card readers work on the principle of Key Management System and the cards can be read only when the key present in the RIC is authenticated by the Verification Authentication card", the home ministry Rajnath Singh said in a press statement detailing the features of the new gadget released on Wednesday to the two maritime security agencies.

RIC reader is "tamper-proof and self-destructs if it is opened in an unauthorized manner", minister added.

Last month, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has rolled out mobile biometric scanners at 40 points along its border with Bangladesh to catch insurgents and illegal migrants.